Radisson Collection Strand Hotel, Stockholm — Hotel in Stockholm

Second time in Stockholm, second time staying here, because I think Radisson will never let me down, that's why I chose Radisson in Belgium, Milan, Venice, Warsaw; but this time I was disappointed, not because the bathroom in the suite was too small, I couldn't upgrade to a higher room, or there was noise outside all night. This time because the flight on the check-out day was very early, breakfast was not included, I ordered takeaway for two days, and the reception said the delivery man couldn't come in, I could understand, the reception helped me deliver the food on the first day, it was perfect, the next day, 8 June 2024, in the morning, an elderly female receptionist refused to deliver the food, and then replaced by an elderly female front desk who claimed to be a manager, also refused this request, not only told me that the previous practice was wrong, but also questioned why I ordered takeaway, kept interrupting me when I was talking, and even hung up before I finished, without asking "Is there anything else I can help with?" She has no knowledge of basic etiquette at all, I don't want to stay in a five-star hotel and I need to re-educate you, wait for me to hang up, and how to communicate with customers; she kept saying that she couldn't understand me, if you can't speak English well, why do you want to be a hotel manager? Shouldn't you spend more time practicing listening? If you don't have etiquette, how can you educate your staff? The night receptionist said that if it's not busy, they would be happy to do it, but when I went down right away, I didn't see any guests waiting. Radisson has a "yes, I can" spirit, but the woman who claimed to be the manager kept saying "I can't", how shameful! She kept explaining that it was the hotel's policy. I asked her to show me the policy document. She said it was not allowed at the time, but she would give it to me later, and she never gave it to me from beginning to end (I believe it will not be given to me in the hotel's response). When you do something wrong, people don't say how you are, but how the hotel is. You represent the hotel and the people of your country. Radisson, how can you make a "fake policy" on the spot to restrict your customers? Are all Swedes as lazy as you? Even if you really have it, when it conflicts with your "yes, I can", you choose to fight your customers. The night before check-out, the front desk said that I could get an email from Erica, the general manager, the next day, but the daytime front desk was afraid to give it to me. I wanted to enjoy the city and share emotions with each of you, but you ruined my trip. There could have been a flexible solution, but you didn't find it. Finally, there is a reason why this hotel has such a low rating compared to other 5-star hotels or hotels of the same brand in other cities. It is the one with the most lacking staff among the 37 European 5-star hotels I have stayed in during my travels in 22 European countries.

The hotel responded to me on TripAdvisor and asked me to contact the hotel email so that they can explain to me, but after I sent them an email, they never responded to me.

The hotel said in the review response that they had contacted me, but in fact they did not. This hotel once again chose to lie blatantly, which shows that my doubts about the character of the staff of this hotel...

Disappointing Experience at Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, Stockholm

We had high hopes for our Stockholm stay and carefully chose Radisson Blu Strand Hotel, expecting it to be the best of the Radisson options in the city. While the initial reception was warm and informative, several issues turned our visit into a letdown.

🚗 Parking Woes We had pre-booked parking, which turned out to be essential as the hotel only has a few outdoor spots located around 400 meters away. Without a reservation, we’d have had to park far from the hotel. Daily parking came at a hefty cost of NOK 628.

🏨 Room Quality & Cleanliness Despite our premium status in Radisson Rewards, we’re unsure if we received any upgrade. The room was small but the bed was neatly made and very comfortable. Sadly, the room showed signs of wear and insufficient cleaning—stains on the chair, grime in the shower, and marks on the walls. Not what you'd expect from a Radisson Collection hotel. The minibar was empty, and while you can request items, there's no refund for unused contents.

🍸 Rooftop Bar — Not Guest-Friendly Although the rooftop bar is a highlight, hotel guests don’t receive priority access or booking privileges, which felt unfair given the pricing and exclusivity implied.

💰 Exorbitant Pricing Prices were excessive, especially when draft beer was served in tiny glasses of barely 3.33 dl.

🍳 Breakfast — Far Below Expectations Breakfast was the biggest disappointment. The scrambled eggs were consistently runny for all three days of our stay, and the bread rolls were dry and tough. Cold milk was nearly nonexistent, only available as a coffee accessory. Overall, the breakfast selection was meager and uninspired—definitely not what you’d expect from a Collection-brand hotel.

🏆 Comparison: Radisson Blu Gothenburg To illustrate what’s missing: Radisson Blu in Gothenburg is a true luxury hotel offering outstanding service and an excellent breakfast. It’s a stark contrast.

🌆 Conclusion Stockholm remains a beautiful city, but our stay at the Radisson Blu Strand Hotel was a major letdown. We’re left asking: what exactly qualifies this as a...

The location of this hotel is fantastic — right in the heart of Stockholm, with an impressive historic façade that immediately sets high expectations. Check-in was smooth, and the reception staff were friendly and efficient, though the overall vibe leaned more towards 4 stars than 5.

I had booked a “Presidential Suite – Sea View”, and I’ll admit, my expectations were flying as high as the title. On one hand, “Presidential Suite” — who wouldn’t feel a little giddy? On the other, “Sea View” — visions of sparkling water, graceful boats, serenity. The two together created a kind of euphoric balance.

The suite consisted of a living room and a separate bedroom. The living room offered a truly magnificent view over the harbor — a postcard scene, worth every minute spent just gazing. Furnishings, however, were somewhat minimalistic, leaning towards “rental house staging” rather than curated luxury. Not unpleasant, but not exactly cozy or rich in detail.

Then came the twist.

Upon entering the suite, I found a small bathroom with a shower — modest in both size and design. Naturally, I assumed this was the guest WC — a common feature in suites of this level. The presence of a small shower seemed odd, but I figured there must be a larger, main bathroom elsewhere.

And so the quest began.

I explored every corner, opened every door, studied the walls in search of hidden panels — convinced there must be a “true” presidential bathroom somewhere. But no. That little entryway shower room… was it.

There was no bathtub, no spacious bathroom sanctuary, no double vanity or soaking tub with a view of the bay. Just that compact, functional space near the door. It was hard not to feel a little deflated — a presidential suite with the soul of a compact cabin.

Still, I have to say: the view was truly extraordinary. Sitting on the sofa and watching the boats drift by, you could almost forgive the...