HotelChatter

Art vs Architecture
The Clarion Hotel Sign (above) is an architectural extravaganza, an ultra-modern glass structure rising up from Norra Bantorget square. The square used to contain two prisons, an orphanage, a torture chamber, and later a railway station house.

Now you can't see any of this on account of the blinding light from the 558-room glass building. It was designed by Gert Wingardh, the man who designed the new Swedish embassy in D.C. People have been talking about it for months.

The Clarion Hotel Stockhom, on the other hand, as well as being a slightly-less-so-but-still-pretty-spectacular building right in the trendy Södermalm area, focuses more on art than architecture. Forget the museums, ask the reception for an illustrated guide to the art collection (mostly from Scandinavian artists) and you're set for the day.

Spas and Views
Reviewers seem disappointed at the Clarion Hotel's spa facilities but by all accounts they won't be when they try out the spa at the Clarion Sign. It has a top-floor luxury spa with huge clear windows that let you see right over Stockholm while sipping a martini at the bar.

Note that swimming costumes are not allowed in Swedish saunas, as a rule. So let's hope there's no-one down there with a strong pair of binoculars....

Aquavit vs Waterfalls and Reindeer
If you're going all-out Swedish in terms of food and ambiance, you'll want the Clarion Hotel Stockholm. The Waterfall Lounge (does anyone else find themselves popping to the loo several times an hour near one of these?) is supposed to make you feel as though you're somewhere in the remote countryside.

And while the Greta restaurant's boast that they use only Swedish ingredients is undoubtedly untrue (or in winter, you'd be getting only potatoes and reindeer meat) it's true that it's classic Swedish cuisine in a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere.

The Clarion Sign, on the other hand, is proudly international in housing the first non-US branch of the award-winning New York restaurant Aquavit. The fact that Aquavit in New York is a Scandinavian-style restaurant brought back to Stockholm by celebrity Swedish chef Marcus Samuelsson confuses the issue, but you can expect it to be both good and expensive.

It only just opened on February 5 2008, so no-one knows quite what to make of it. Watch this space.

E-Competition: Hotel Websites
We love a hotel website that makes us laugh. So take a coffee break in the 'Clarion Living' section of the Clarion Hotel Stockholm's website. Our favourite's 'Bathe with Louise and Fahrad', but you're guaranteed a good laugh whichever you choose.

Bottom Lines
For those who watch their wallets, the Clarion Sign rates start at around $307 while the Clarion goes for around $276 a night. Both properties have free wireless and free full breakfast included in the rates.