I visited the hotel from July 16th - July 23rd 2023 during the Gothia Cup tournament. With me, were 57 others. 49 young people aged 14 - 18 and 8 staff. Having only been open a couple of months, I guess this could have been quite daunting. Instead, hotel staff went about making our lives as simple and straightforward as possible, whilst also offering 5 star service. Check-in was simple and quick, support throughout our stay was efficient and friendly and our young people felt well and truly at home. One little note was when one of our young people checked out at 03:30 and was waiting in reception, hotel staff recognised this and brought him a large bag of food for breakfast and lunch (for no extra cost and without request). I would like to thank the staff for their level of personal service throughout our stay and the patience needed when housing so many young people.
The rooms are excellent - maybe lack storage for clothes, but to be fair 16 year olds would rather live out of their suitcase! Clean, well maintained throughout the week, functional and perfect for any type of stay. The bathrooms were immaculate and the raindrop showers are incredible. All fitted with shampoo, conditioner and body wash. Saves you packing or buying this! One little note on the rooms is the soundproofing - one minor detail but one major effect. I couldn’t hear anything (and there was a building site next to my room). Also stopped the noise of other people walking the corridors and slamming doors.
The buffet for breakfast (didn’t have lunch and dinner) was well organised and vast! Felt like there was something for everyone. Due to the size of our group, the hotel opened a second room to allow all of our young people to eat together. Whether you’re a light morning eater or want to fill up, it covers all bases. Staff were friendly, always on hand to help and sometimes help our young people (and me) navigate some of the stations they may not have been used to using.
Location wise, it’s perfect. Great access to a lot of the city, only a minute tram from centralstation. Opposite is a Coop, plus multiple restaurants if you want to eat out. All quite reasonable cost wise as well.
In summary, this hotel has nailed its first few months and I couldn’t have been happier with the service and overall quality of our stay. All of our young people loved the hotel and want to stay there if we attend the competition next year.
Thank...
Read moreI'm baffled by the negative reviews and can only assume that they are from people that only stay in 5 star luxury hotels with the price tag to match. Upon entering you are greeted with an eclectic collection of "curiosities " hence the name. The staff at the front desk are very helpful and friendly. The café (Café Agnes) to the left of the entry and right by the carousel has fantastic coffee, drinks and pastries... and again, friendly service in a great atmosphere. The slide from the second floor to the first is a nice touch although it does get very busy and loud during the "open hours" but very unique. The hotel isn't lacking any personality as it is very thoughtfully designed all the way around. The rooms are not giant no, (depending upon the room you booked) but are spacious enough for what they are meant for, sleeping and keeping your things. The bathroom is large and has the amenities you would expect...shampoo, conditioner, body soap etc. The beds are comfortable. The rooms are quite clean and well designed... even if lacking in clothing storage in the way of having dresser drawers. The location is connected to Liseberg Amusement park right out of the front door. The breakfast, while quite busy, is fantastic with an abundance of choices from several choices of water, juices, coffee, teas etc to standard meats, cheeses, vegetables, breads and crackers to eggs, bacon, ham, pastries, yogurt and a lot more. An excellent value. We did not experience the restaurant or bar so I cannot speak on that except that it is there. The hotel is also very close to restaurants and shops. You do need to park next to the World of Volvo which is a bit of a walk...we used scooter rentals to get there and back which isn't much of an inconvenience to me but it might be for some. Speaking of scooter rentals, you can find them nearby and is a great way to get from the hotel to Centrum and all of the restaurants and shops and is pretty fun... you can also find bikes all around for rent as well. Not only would I go back and stay again but will be in just a few months. 5 stars all...
Read moreAt first glance, the Grand Curiosa looks like the ultimate family hotel: slides in the lobby, a carousel in the dining room, and whimsical Jules Verne décor. But spend a night there and you quickly realise it’s not a family hotel at all — it’s a conference hotel in disguise.
Design & Décor There’s no denying the visual impact. The theming is bold, playful, and memorable — a Phileas Fogg fantasy come to life. The slide is fun, the carousel quaint. But these are centrepieces, not substance.
Family Facilities Beyond the lobby tricks, the family offer is paper-thin. The playroom is small, often closed for conferences, and contains little more than a football game, a broken air hockey table, and some colouring sheets. The puzzles and marble runs in the café are incomplete or mixed up, creating more frustration than fun. A slide and a carousel don’t make a family hotel.
Service & Staff Staff are polite but disengaged — there’s no sense of care or attention to families. When my son’s shoes went missing, the response was a shrug. Asking to use the playroom for a few minutes before a conference started was flatly refused. It feels like the only guests who truly matter here are the corporate ones.
Rooms The decoration is charming, with bunk beds and adventurous styling. But the details let it down. The lighting system blasts every bulb to full brightness no matter which switch you press. There are no games, books, or touches to make children feel welcome.
Food & Breakfast Breakfast at weekends is chaotic — so many people crammed into the buffet area that it feels overwhelming. The choice is fine, but the quality is average at best.
Overall The Grand Curiosa dazzles at first glance, but it’s a veneer: whimsical décor masking a hotel that doesn’t truly welcome families. If you want a conference venue with quirky design, it works. But if you want a genuine family hotel,...
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