Hotell Viking - Helsingborg, Sweden     

I travel to Helsingborg frequently for business (at least once a month), and always stay at the Viking. The staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the hotel itself is homey and charming. A blend of antique Swedish decor with subtle modern touches creates a personal atmosphere that beats a chain hotel any day. The rooms do vary in size, from a cozy single to a very spacious double. Some of the rooms also have their own balconies. Each room is different, which adds a personal touch. Hardwood floors and woolly rugs make them a comfortable place to return to after a long day in the office. I always sleep well in their beds. As can be expected from a northern European hotel, everything is very clean. Most of the bathrooms are a decent size, but there are a couple that really squeeze the space. Certainly workable, and not as bad as some I've been to (when you could shower, use the toilet and brush your teeth at the same time), but if this is a dealbreaker for you, be sure you specify one of the larger ones. The location is right in the centre of Helsingborg, about a 10 minute walk from the train station/ferry terminal. Parking is available in their private lot behind the hotel. Wireless internet is available, and breakfast is typically Swedish ... there aren't a lot of international dishes on offer (lots of herring, cheeses and other Swedish standards), but the bread is good and plentiful, and there is a selection of muesli to fill you up. I've had the dubious honor of spending many nights in hotels, and I invariably end up comparing any new hotel to the Viking. Sure, it's not gleamingly modern. And trendy isn't exactly the right word either. But it is personal, warm and comfortable with an authentic Swedish character. It has all the conveniences you would want, with an atmosphere that really is a home away from home.