Scandic Södra Kajen

This hotel offers a memorable stay, particularly for families and ferry travelers, due to its family-friendly design and convenient proximity to the ferry terminals. Its signature feature is the impressive Skybar and rooftop terrace, providing stunning views over the harbor. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's overall cleanliness, the comfortable accommodations, and the exceptional quality of the breakfast. While the surrounding area is currently undergoing significant construction, making access a bit challenging, the hotel itself provides a welcoming and well-equipped environment. For an enhanced experience, guests are advised to utilize the readily available bus connections for easy city access and to consider requesting a room on a higher floor to fully appreciate the scenic harbor vistas.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities designed to enhance guest comfort and entertainment. A notable feature is the fitness center, which is generally well-equipped, though some guests observed children playing there. The wellness area, including a spa with a pool, receives mixed reviews; while some praise its beautiful views and relaxing atmosphere, others express disappointment regarding the extra cost for entry, the age restriction (10 years and older for the pool), and the water temperature not always being warm enough. Common areas are well-regarded, featuring an indoor yard with games like table tennis, shuffleboard, and a climbing wall, creating a vibrant space for both children and adults. However, a recurring complaint is the lack of a mini-fridge or kettle in the rooms, and the elevators are often noted as being slow and insufficient for the hotel's size, leading to long wait times.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and well-maintained, often describing them as modern and freshly renovated. The beds are consistently praised for being comfortable and ensuring a restful night's sleep, with many appreciating the soft bedsheets. Family rooms often feature bunk beds, which are a hit with children. However, some guests reported minor cleaning oversights, such as residual debris or hair. Room temperature can be inconsistent, with some finding rooms cold and others experiencing them as stuffy or too warm due to ventilation issues. Noise from other guests opening and closing doors is occasionally mentioned. A common point of feedback is the absence of a mini-fridge, coffee maker, or kettle in the rooms, and some note a lack of wardrobe space or slippers. Many rooms offer sea views or harbor views, which are highly appreciated.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, consistently described as superb, delicious, and varied. Guests appreciate the extensive buffet with a wide selection, including gluten-free and vegan options. While the quality of the food is generally high, some specific items like scrambled eggs or bacon received mixed comments. The breakfast area can become very crowded and noisy, especially during peak hours, leading to challenges in finding available tables and staff struggling to clear dishes promptly, despite their efforts. In contrast, feedback on the dinner restaurant is mixed to negative, with common complaints about slow service, cold food, and a limited menu. The Skybar offers some food options, but these are often described as small and overpriced.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is a significant point of discussion among guests. It is highly convenient for those traveling via the ferry terminals, being just a short walk away. However, its distance from the city center means it's not ideal for walking to major attractions. Despite this, the hotel is well-connected by public transport, with a bus stop just a few minutes' walk away providing easy access to downtown. A major drawback is the surrounding area, which is currently undergoing extensive construction work, leading to road closures, detours, and a generally uninviting atmosphere. On the positive side, a large supermarket is conveniently located within a two-minute walk. Parking is available nearby and is generally considered easy to use, though some guests found the payment process confusing.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight the quick check-in process and the staff's willingness to accommodate requests, such as providing extra amenities or assisting with luggage. The restaurant staff, in particular, are commended for their positive attitude and efficiency, even during busy breakfast periods. The hotel is noted for its family-friendly service, with staff being welcoming and understanding towards children. However, some guests experienced issues with housekeeping, noting that room cleaning is not daily unless specifically requested at the reception. A few isolated comments mentioned instances of unhelpful or unprofessional behavior from some reception staff, but these were exceptions to the generally positive feedback.

Additional Information
The hotel has a notable pet-friendly policy, welcoming furry companions and even providing them with small welcome packages. A key point of contention for many guests is the wellness area, which operates with an additional fee and strict age restrictions for its pool, often leading to disappointment for families expecting a complimentary swimming facility. Guests should also be aware that room cleaning is not performed daily unless explicitly requested at the reception, and there are no telephones in the rooms, requiring guests to visit the front desk for any needs. The hotel features a dedicated children's play area on the third floor, equipped with various games and activities, which is highly appreciated by families.