Benny Andersson's (ABBA) hotel in Södermalm, between art deco cinema, Swedish bistro and rock rooms.
Hotel Rival
From
459.822 €
“700-seat independent cinema integrated into the hotel, arthouse programming and Nordic premieres.”
Hotel Rival overlooks Mariatorget since 2003, owned by Benny Andersson who transformed a 1930s cinema into a design boutique hotel. We bed down in rooms in anthracite grey and copper tones, padded headboards, dark parquet, signed light fixtures. The Rival bistro serves modern Swedish cuisine, oyster bar and aquavit, local crowd in the evenings. The cinema room screens independent films, jazz concerts some Sundays. Södermalm remains Stockholm's liveliest district, vintage cafés and record shops on every corner. From 460 € a night, we recommend it for the address as much as for the rooms ✨
Who is it for?
Who we recommend it to
We recommend the Rival to thirty- and fortysomethings seeking Stockholm's cultural side rather than palaces, intimate concerts and auteur cinema. It's a hotel for design-weekend couples, Nordic music lovers, travellers who prefer Södermalm to Östermalm. Families find their place here, but the vibe stays resolutely adult after 10pm.
The building
Architecture and interiors
The Rival occupies a former 1937 art deco cinema on Mariatorget, bought and transformed by Benny Andersson in 2003. Original architecture preserved: red brick facade, illuminated marquee, intact projection room. Interiors signed by Swedish designers: dark wood, grey velvet, brushed brass, exposed brick walls in communal areas. Intimate scale, 99 rooms spread over five floors.
At the table
Restaurants, bar, service
The Rival Bistro serves modern Swedish cuisine, seasonal produce and Baltic fish, short menu changing monthly. Oyster bar and seafood platter at weekends, natural wine cellar and house aquavit. Scandinavian buffet breakfast served until 11am, rye bread and gravlax. The Bakfickan, bar hidden behind the restaurant, offers classic cocktails and Nordic spirits until 1am.
Highlights
- 700-seat art-house cinema with Nordic programming and live concerts
- Rival Bistro: Swedish cuisine, oyster bar, natural wine cellar
- 1930s-revisited design rooms, dark parquet and copper
- Mariatorget 30 seconds away, direct red line Mariatorget metro
- Bakfickan: cocktail bar hidden behind the restaurant, intimate vibe
Location & access
Where the hotel sits in Stockholm
The Rival overlooks Mariatorget, tree-lined square at the heart of Södermalm, Stockholm's bohemian creative district. Mariatorget metro (red line) one minute away, Gamla Stan ten minutes on foot via the bridges. Arlanda airport 45 minutes by Arlanda Express then metro. The area packs in vintage record shops, third wave cafés, independent galleries, constant buzz without the tourists.
Good to know
Before you book
- Pets
- Dogs allowed, 30 € / night, basket and bowls provided.
- Parking
- Private parking on site, 35 € / night, booking recommended.
- Wi-Fi
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
- Cinema
- Public programming, tickets on sale at reception, reduced rate for residents.
- Check-in
- From 3pm, luggage storage from 8am.
Facilities
Non-smoking rooms
Facilities for disabled guests
Room service
Restaurant
Private parking
Wi-Fi available throughout
Free Wi-Fi
Parking
Location
Where Hotel Rival is located
Exact address
Hotel Rival
Address
Mariatorget 3
In the same city
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