HOTELS Hotel Rival - Former Cinema Became Sweden's First Boutique Hotel

Hotel Rival - Former Cinema Became Sweden's First Boutique Hotel

Location:

Stockholm Sweden West Europe
Movie

Hotel Rival is the offspring of a 1937-inauguration cinema at the Mariatorget Square in Stockholm. With 1218 seats, it used to be one of the biggest cinemas in the Swedish capital.

After its closure in 2002, Swedish songwriter and musician Benny Andersson - famous for writing nearly all ABBA songs - bought the place, and it became an integral part of an entirely new business.

On 1 September 2003, after an extensive redesign and reconstruction, Hotel Rival opened as Sweden's first boutique hotel. The hotel may not exude a super luxurious vibe, but it has been frequented by celebrities such as Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and Rihanna.

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PRICE FROM $211

Opened in 1937, the Cinema Rival had a classic art deco styling

Today, inside the building of Hotel Rival, the former cinema is still a gathering place for entertainment seekers.

Hotel Rival Stockholm Building Facade of the Former Rival Cinema

Instead of screenings of the latest movies - apart from some exceptions, like the premier of the ABBA movie "Mamma Mia" in 2008 - its historical interior is used as a theater and event hall.

Hotel Rival Glamurous Entrance

Hotel Rival's main entrance is reminiscent of the 20th-century cinema

Hotel Rival The Tavern Restaurant

The Tavern

Hotel Rival has three bars (Watson's, Bistro, and Cocktail Bar) and one restaurant called The Tavern.

Hotel Rival The Tavern Restaurant Dining Corner

If you're looking for a place to enjoy a social and cultural atmosphere while sipping on coffee or wine or savoring good food, The Tavern is the ideal place.

Hotel Rival Bistro

Rival Bistro

Rival's Bistro features red velvet sofas, patterned carpets, brass lamps, and photographs of famous cultural figures. Groups looking for a bit more privacy can sit behind a thin drapery decorated with the well-known motif from Roy Andersson's cult classic, "A Love Story."

Hotel Rival Breakfast

The hotel serves a breakfast buffet, but you can also choose from the a la carte menu.

Hotel Rival Watson's Bar

Watson's Bar

Watson's Bar is a cozy, modern, international spot offering an expansive wine selection and a creative drink list.

Hotel Rival Watson's Bar Beer Taps

The bar attracts a trendy crowd and features consistently good DJs. Here, soul, funk, jazz, and rare disco flow from the speakers.

Hotel Rival Watson's Bar Adjecent to the Theater

It was named after Benny Andersson's son's dog Watson and is open from afternoon to late evening, seven days a week.

Hotel Rival Theater

Adjacent to Watson's Bar is the theater. Here, you can attend plays, shows, concerts, or live podcasts.

Hotel Rival Theater Balcony

The hotel's theater has an elegant, continental look with functionalist elements, thanks to the Danish interior architect Marcus Lorentzen, who originally designed this as a cinema. The number of seats decreased from 1218 to 735 to allow for some extra space and comfort.

Hotel Rival Economy Room

Economy Room

Hotel Rival has 99 rooms with 194 beds, ranging from a simple economy room for one to spacious, plush suites with private balconies and views over Stockholm.

Hotel Rival Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

The Deluxe room has a balcony with a magnificent view of Mariatorget.

Hotel Rival is a Dog-Friendly Hotel

Rival is a dog-friendly hotel

Hotel Rival Suite 704

Suite 704

Room 704 is spread over 50 square meters, has a bedroom and living room, and has a view of Södermalm's rooftops. This is probably where Meryl Streep stayed as a guest during the premiere of "Mamma Mia!"

Hotel Rival Executive 705

Executive 705

Hotel Rival Executive 705 Bedroom

There is a teddy bear in every room, and if you get too emotionally attached to it during your stay, you can buy it at the reception.

Hotel Rival Executive 705 Bathroom
Hotel Rival Executive 705 Balcony with View of Stockholm's Colorful Rooftops

The Executive Suite has a balcony overlooking Stockholm's colorful rooftops

Hotel Rival Suite 706

Suite 706

Hotel Rival Suite 706 Bathroom
Hotel Rival Bikes

You can rent Rival-labelled bicycles for a daily fee


Book Online

PRICE FROM $211


Mariatorget 3, 118 48 Stockholm, Sweden


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