The best hotels in the Old Town

Named after the Dutchman Fredrik Reiss who ran a coffeehouse on Skeppsbron in the 1750s, Hotel Reisen's location makes it as much of a central meeting place today as it was then. Many of the 144 rooms have wonderful views over the Strömmen waterway and the island of Skeppsholmen. There's also an award-winning cocktail bar and restaurant.

Along with Lady Hamilton and Lord Nelson, Victory forms a very warm and personal trio of hotels in the Old Town that goes by the name of Collector's Hotels. The hotels have the same owner as several of the neighbourhood's most popular restaurants and bar, including Djuret, Flickan and Tweed. Victory is slightly more luxurious, with larger rooms than its two sister hotels.

A stone's throw from the Royal Palace is Victory Hotel's sister hotel Lady Hamilton, a real gem with a charming, personal atmosphere and rooms with exposed beams, traditional folk paintings and unique antiques. Book in for afternoon tea or take a dip in the waters of the historic well in the spa area.

Lord Nelson, the third in the Collector's hotel chain, is Sweden's narrowest hotel and is named after the English admiral Lord Nelson. Rooms are named after historic ships and decor includes wooden boat deck floors, model ships and other nautical paraphenalia. The maritime decor makes you feel more as though you're onboard a ship at sea than in the heart of Stockholm's busiest tourist area.

Bobbing about in Riddarfjärden bay, Mälardrottningen makes for a unique hotel experience, as you sleep onboard a historic 1920s vessel. There are 61 cabins in varying sizes with windows that either look out over the island of Riddarholmen, where the boat is moored, or out over the waters of Lake Mälaren and the Södermalm district. There's a restaurant with outdoor seating area too.

Sven Vintappare is a charming, authentic hotel in an early 17th century house. The rooms were renovated at the beginning of the 2000s in classic, Gustavian style. There are six double rooms and a suite. Breakfast and Wifi are always included in the room rate.

This 17th century palace on Stortorget has been remodelled into a small, intimate hotel. At Gyllene Geten, or The Golden Goat, as they call themselves, there are 12 rooms all with their own unique character and charm. All rooms have Wifi, TV and fridges.

Hotell Skeppsbron is a small, intimate, well-priced hotel with just 10 bedrooms and a great location on Skeppsbron. Sleep in underground cellar vaults next to the Royal Palace, within walking distance of the city centre and Södermalm. The ferries that depart right outside the hotel can transport you to lots of fantastic destinations.

The nearly one hundred rooms in this three-star hotel, located in the heart of the Old Town, are uniquely furnished, and several have sumptuous four-poster beds, crystal chandeliers and large windows overlooking the winding cobbled streets. The hotel doesn't have its own restaurant, but a continental breakfast and a snack bar are available, and you'll find Old Town's huge selection of restaurants and bars just around the corner.

Right on Skeppsbron with unbeatable views over Saltsjön, Hotel Gamla Stan is housed in an historic building from 1670. The hotel has 81 newly renovated rooms, all individually decorated with colours, patterns and wallpaper inspired by the 17th century.

Scandic's Old Town hotel is on Lilla Nygatan, close to some fantastic restaurants as well as the underground station. When you step inside from the cobbled streets you'll find 52 personally decorated, classic rooms with patterned wallpaper and antique furniture. As at all Scandic hotels, there's a fabulous breakfast buffet, laid out in the small breakfast room.