This post may contain affiliate links from some of my advertising partners. I can receive a small commission on purchases, at no additional cost to you. While you don’t have to use these links, I appreciate your support of my blog when you do. You can read my advertising disclosure here.
The Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel Stockholm offers wheelchair accessible guest rooms with a roll-in shower, in one of the most convenient locations in Sweden’s capital city. Having stayed at many different Radisson Blu properties around the world, from the Bangkok Plaza to the Brussels EU Hotel, the Stockholm waterfront location set itself apart in accessibility and became my immediate favorite.
Reservation & Check-in
My trip to Stockholm, Sweden came together at the very last minute, and I booked my hotel room while riding the train from Copenhagen to Stockholm. As such, I missed out on the deals common with advanced booking and paid almost $300 USD per night for my room at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel. Earlier this year, Business Insider ranked Stockholm as the 4th most expensive destination in Europe, so it pays to plan in advance!
Check-in at the hotel was a breeze, and I was up to my handicap accessible guest room in a matter of minutes. So yes, it did not take long to swipe my credit card and part with a thousand dollars. Yikes! Thankfully, this hotel—and the city that surrounds it—was well worth the cost.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotel Room #504
I was assigned to guest room #504, which featured a double-sized bed and a wheelchair accessible bathroom with a roll-in shower. The room was spacious, modern and inviting.
I’m no good at judging bed sizes, but my room contained what was either a full- or double-sized bed. Despite the thin mattress, it was comfortable. From an accessibility standpoint, the low bed to floor height was fantastic, and there was space underneath the bed to accommodate a transfer hoist or hoyer lift.
Adequate space for maneuvering a wheelchair was available on all sides of the bed, and the room did not feel cramped.
A small television was mounted on the wall opposite the bed. I did not spend much time in my hotel room, so I didn’t watch television except for a morning news update from the BBC.
In the second photo above, I have highlighted in red the location of a power outlet next to the bed, which was the source of electricity for charging my power wheelchair. Power outlets in Sweden supply electricity at 230 volts. If the standard voltage in your home country is between 220 and 240 volts, you’ll be able to use your electric equipment in Sweden without issue. If you are traveling from the United States, where electricity is supplied at 110 volts, you’ll need to protect your wheelchair and battery with a step-down power transformer.
An accessible workspace, which included a desk and rolling office chair, was located to the left of the bed. The picture above further demonstrates the clear floor space available in the room, which was a real asset for wheelchair access. Additional power outlets were located above the desk, but they proved to be slightly out of reach of the bed.
Wheelchair Accessible Bathroom
The bathroom was outfitted with all of the accessibility features one would expect from an adapted room in Europe.
The roll-in shower featured an adjustable-height seat attached to the wall. Grab bars lined the wall adjacent to the seat and the handheld showerhead and water controls were within reach. A black curtain, hanging from the ceiling, could be drawn to protect the bathroom from the spray of water.
The bathroom sink was accessible with space for a wheelchair to roll underneath the counter and wash basin. Towels were hung from racks on the wall at an acceptable height.
Grab bars on both sides of the toilet (one folded down from the wall and is shrouded by the black curtain) made transfers easy.
With so many unknowns in the accessible travel experience, it is always a great relief to discover a hotel bathroom that meets all of mt accessibility needs. The bathroom at the Radisson Blu Stockholm was a fantastic example of wheelchair accessibility.
Location & Transportation
The Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel is located directly alongside the Waterfront Congress Center and Stockholm Central Station, meaning there are endless public transportation connections within minutes walking distance of the hotel.
City buses, trams and trains operating in the area will take travelers to attractions like the Vasa Museum, Nordic Museum, Nobel Prize Museum, Royal Palace and more. And, better yet, there is an express rail connection from Central Station to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, which makes arrivals and departures easy.
Final Thoughts
Although the Radisson Blu Stockholm Waterfront Hotel was one of the most expensive hotels I’ve paid for out-of-pocket, the comfort and accessibility it provided was priceless. When visiting a new city for the first time, it is important to have a safe place that you can retreat to. The Radisson Blu was just that, and made my time in Stockholm all the more enjoyable. If you can find a deal on room rates or stomach the cost, there is no better choice for accessible accommodation (and convenience!) in the city.
