When you vacation in Gothenburg, Sweden, you have numerous hotel options. Like many travelers, I prefer to stay in luxury hotels. In reality, my husband and I opt for Gothenburg hotels that are affordable.
This trip, we booked Hotel Allen Sure Stay. The independently owned and affordably priced Sure Stay hotel, centrally located in Gothenburg was a good choice. However, we would have preferred a stay at the Elite Plaza Hotel. Many Gothenburg hotels are either luxury or affordable. Unfortunately, luxury and affordable hotel pricing don’t usually go hand in hand.
As I only toured the 5-star Elite Plaza Hotel, this luxury hotel overview will be brief. Keep reading for my in-depth review of affordable Hotel Allen.
Gothenburg hotels luxury or affordable
Located at Västra Hamngatan, in the fashionable part of Gothenburg, Elite Plaza Hotel is, indeed, elite. The palatial hotel, dating back to 1889, was once home to Svea Brand insurance company.
Hotel rooms range from standard economy to several suites. In fact, one of the luxury hotel rooms is named The Svea Suite. I’m told the Managing Director lived in this part of the house, with a sitting room and three bedrooms, when the life insurance company owned it.
The 19th century building is a green key eco-label hotel with 127 rooms. The mosaic floors and stucco ceilings are in excellent shape. Inside the luxury hotel is restaurant Svea Wine & Dine, Plaza Bar and the English Pub Bishop’s Arms. If we return to Gothenburg, we look forward to a stay at Elite Plaza Hotel.
Affordable Gothenburg Hotel Allen
While not considered luxury, Hotel Allen in Gothenburg is a sure bet. We’ve stayed at Best Western Signature Collection hotels and Sure Stay hotels. We selected Hotel Allen Sure Stay for it’s excellent location near Gothenburg Central Station and proximity to downtown Gothenburg. The location is perfect for couples, families or solo travelers in Sweden.
There is nothing fancy about this Best Western hotel. Hotel Allen has been around since the 1930’s, but it was renovated in 2021. Originally a location for Christians to gather, and then an apartment building, Hotel Allen became a Sure Stay hotel in 2008. We found the rooms clean, comfortable and affordable. Our family room was downright spacious!
Single rooms to family rooms at Hotel Allen
Hotel Allen offered single, double and family-friendly rooms at this 3-story hotel. We were upgraded from our double room to a family room and we felt like we’d won the lottery. After several weeks of traveling with our backpacks, we appreciated the luxurious bathtub, separate walk-in shower and spacious hotel room.
There was a desk area, for those of us who work on vacation, plenty of electrical outlets and a mini fridge in our room. Blackout curtains were accessible for the light-sensitive sleeper. Personally, we slept with the windows and curtains wide open, as we were in an upper level room. The fresh air, with a nice cross breeze, was a bonus.
Waffle bar breakfast
We learned about Fika in Sweden and joined in on the afternoon snack wherever possible in Gothenburg. If you are traveling with children, or want an afternoon snack, head into the breakfast room for a waffle buffet. There’s also tea, coffee and a small selection of cookies available in the afternoon.
As for the complimentary breakfast, I prefer European breakfast buffets to some of the American Best Western hotels. In addition to smoked deli meats, hard boiled eggs, smoked salmon and several varieties of cheese, there were hot items, as well. Vegans might like the meatless meatballs. I’ll stick to yogurt and fresh fruit.
Hotel Allen Sure Stay
This Gothenburg hotel is pet-friendly with specific rooms on one floor dedicated to dog-approved rooms. There is an additional fee for pets. The hotel features an elevator. Additionally, there is on site car and motorcycle parking.
If you are a Best Western Rewards member, Sure Stay hotels qualify for points, as well. The hotel offers special pricing for Best Western Reward members.
Room rates range from 600 SEK – 1,094 SEK depending on the season, room type or if Bruce Springsteen happens to be playing in Gothenburg. Room rates for all hotels tend to increase when famous musicians descend on Gothenburg. You can also check prices on Booking.com which often has better rates.
As mentioned, Hotel Allen has an excellent location in Gothenburg. We could walk almost everywhere. If you visit in the spring, summer or fall, you might like to rent a boat or take the ferry to a nearby island.
Whether you select Gothenburg hotels for luxury or affordability, you’ll have plenty to see and do in this part of west Sweden. We enjoyed our holiday in Gothenburg and look forward to returning.
Review and photos of Gothenburg hotels by Oregon Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown Top two photos courtesy Elite Plaza Hotel. Nancy used her Best Western Rewards membership to book this hotel stay. As always, all opinions are her own.