Uppsala's BEST Hotel? Centralstation Hotel Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This ain't your cookie-cutter review. This is me wrestling with the Centralstation Hotel in Uppsala, Sweden. Prepare for a messy, honest, and hopefully funny romp through its highs, lows, and weird little corners.
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- Meta Description: My wildly honest review of Uppsala's Centralstation Hotel! Accessibility, food, spa, and that awkward moment with the sauna. Buckle up, it's a bumpy ride.
The Deep Dive - My Centralstation Saga
Right, let's get this show on the road. The Centralstation Hotel. It sounds grand, doesn't it? Right there, smack-dab in the middle of Uppsala, practically attached to the train station (which, let me tell you, is a LIFESAVER when you're schlepping luggage). My expectations? High, naturally. My reality? Well… let's just say it's a tapestry woven with threads of utter delight and moments that made me want to spontaneously combust.
Accessibility: My Wheelchair and Those Tricky Thresholds
Okay, important first note: Accessibility is a BIG DEAL for me. I was really counting on this hotel to deliver. The website claimed to be accessible, and honestly, for the most part, they delivered. Ramp access was generally good, which is already leagues better than some places I've been. The elevator worked, thank god. The bathrooms in the accessible rooms were…well, they were accessible, but I noticed a few tight angles that, had I not been travelling with a person with me, would have been annoying.
- Pro: Generally accessible. Good ramp access. Elevator functional.
- Con: Bathroom angles could be a smidge more spacious, specifically for the more complex wheelchairs.
The Room: Mini-Bar Mania and the "Do Not Disturb" Dilemma
The rooms themselves? Clean. Seriously clean. The cleaners are taking their jobs seriously. I could practically smell the anti-viral cleaning products (a definite plus in today's world). The air conditioning worked like a dream, which was a godsend during that unexpected heatwave. The free Wi-Fi was a lifesaver, though I confess I was expecting the LAN connection to be quicker. The bed was crazy comfortable, and the blackout curtains provided the much-needed sanctuary from the endless Swedish daylight.
My Weird Observation: The mini-bar. Loaded, but expensive. I almost forgot to lock my door, that's how much the mini-bar prices had me panicking.
The "Do Not Disturb" Story: One day I was in a deep sleep, and the door bell rings! I didn't hear it, but the next thing I know, someone is literally knocking on my door! I think I forgot to hang up the "Do Not Disturb" sign.
Emotional Response: I was PEEVED! I LOVE sleep and I need my beauty rest!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast for the Senses (and Sometimes the Wallet)
Breakfast Buffet: Ok, so breakfast was included. The buffet itself was a mixed bag. The Western breakfast stuff was actually pretty solid; eggs, bacon, the works. The selection of breads was great. But, the Asian breakfast, well, it wasn't very Asian. It was pretty confusing. It was not the best thing in the world. The coffee was decent. The real star? The fresh fruit and the pastries. Those were amazing.
Restaurant: The restaurant was good, but not mind-blowing. The a la carte dinner was alright. The service was friendly, but a tad slow at times (which is common, I've noticed, in Sweden – embrace the relaxed pace!). My Quirky Observation: The amount of water bottles placed by my bed was astonishing. I felt like I was drowning in bottled water! I got water-logged!
Confession: One night, after a day of exploring, I just wanted comfort food. I ordered room service. The burger? Surprisingly good! Pricey, sure, but sometimes you just gotta cave. And hey, they got the order right.
The Poolside (Sort of) Bar: The bar beside the pool wasn't the most thrilling thing on earth. They did make mean Espresso martinis.
The Spa & Relaxation: A Sauna-Induced Existential Crisis
This is where it got interesting, to say the least.
The Spa: So they had a spa. A fancy spa, with a view overlooking the pool. I was psyched. I was ready to be pampered. I booked a massage. It was heavenly. The masseuse was brilliant.
The Sauna: And there's a sauna. And a steam room. And this, my friends, is where things got a little weird. I’m not a big sauna person, but I figured "when in Rome," right? Wrong! The sauna was HOT. I mean, really hot. I lasted about three minutes before I was sweating like a pig. And then, this wave of pure, unadulterated boredom washed over me. All I could think about was the laundry I had to do next. Then, I started questioning my life choices…
My Emotional Reaction: I felt so overwhelmed! I was supposed to be relaxing, but all I felt was claustrophobic and a little panicky. Maybe I'm not a spa person.
The Outdoor Pool: It was lovely! The view was amazing. The water was the perfect temperature. If it wasn't so cold in the air, I would have stayed there all day, but alas.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (Mostly)
I gotta give them props on safety. They were obviously taking COVID precautions seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks. Tables spaced out. The rooms were spotless (as mentioned earlier). I felt pretty safe, which is a huge plus when you're traveling.
- The Annoyance: I did get a bit annoyed by the constant influx of cleaning supplies, everywhere!
Services and Conveniences
- Luggage storage: No problems, nice and easy.
- Concierge: Helpful, gave me some decent tips.
- Currency Exchange: Always a bonus!
- Cashless Payment and Contactless check-in/out: Easy peasy!
For the Kids
While I didn't have any children, the hotel seemed family-friendly. They had baby-sitting services listed, and from what I could see, it seemed like a good place to come with your little ones.
Getting Around
The location is fantastic. You're right there by the train station, which makes getting to and from the airport a breeze. They also have a car park, which is a bonus in a city like Uppsala.
Odds and Ends That Don't Fit (and Might Be Important)
- Interconnected Rooms: Available, which is great for families.
- The Elevator: It worked, which is important for me!
- The Staff: Generally, friendly and helpful.
The Verdict: Would I Return?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?
The Good: The central location, the cleanliness, the accessible rooms (mostly), and the spa (minus the sauna experience). The breakfast, the pool.
The Not-So-Good: The expensive mini-bar, the slightly slow service at times, and that sauna incident…
My Verdict: Yes, I would. It's a solid hotel, and the positives outweigh the negatives. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and relatively accessible stay in Uppsala. But be warned: the sauna might just lead you to question the meaning of life!
Denver Airport Hotel: HomeTowne Studios' Unbeatable Aurora Deal!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my chaotic, soul-searching, and potentially disastrous adventure in Uppsala, Sweden. We're staying at Hotel Centralstation, which, let's be honest, is probably fine. Probably.
The Official, Though Heavily Embellished, Itinerary… or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Awkward Pause
Day 1: Arrival, Ambivalence, and Attempted Swedishness
- 7:00 AM (ish) - The Great Departure (Or, How I Nearly Missed My Flight). I woke up in a cold sweat, convinced I'd somehow slept through the entire damn trip. Raced to the airport, fumbling with my passport like it was a live grenade. Managed to arrive just as they were paging, "Last call for… me." Humiliating.
- 11:00 AM - Arrived at Arlanda Airport, Stockholm. The airport's a monument to efficiency, which felt frankly intimidating. Grabbed the Arlanda Express to Uppsala with a giddy sense of anticipation because, let's face it, airports give me anxiety.
- 12:00 PM - Check-In at Hotel Centralstation: Ah, the hotel! It's, well, a hotel. Perfectly functional. The room is smaller than I expected, but the view (a car park) is… something. The receptionist (a lovely, but slightly world-weary woman) gave me a map. I promptly folded it wrong and now it looks like a crumpled origami swan of despair.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch Debacle: I decided to embrace Swedish culture and attempt something other than a boring sandwich. Found a little café and ordered what I thought was a traditional dish. What arrived was… a beige, vaguely fish-shaped… thing. I stared at it. I poked it. I ate a bite. I’m pretty sure a seagull would have turned its beak up. Swallowed it down with a large coffee. Still, points for trying, I guess.
- 2:30 PM - Wandering & Wondering: Walked around Uppsala city center. It's… charming. Very clean. Very quiet. I found myself staring at the Uppsala Cathedral, which is impressive, but I'm more impressed by the fact that I still have my socks on. I might be the only human in Uppsala who finds the cathedral more intriguing than the actual buildings, it's a real trip to think about the history behind that one.
- 4:00 PM - Lost in Translation (and a Book Shop): Ducked into a bookshop (they all have the same smell of paper and coffee) to escape the sudden downpour. Browsed the Swedish literature section, feeling profoundly inadequate. I got lost in the aisles after finding the English section and spent an hour just running my hands through the books, pretending I understand all the languages.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Disaster… (Well, Not Disaster, But…): Found a restaurant that promised "contemporary Swedish cuisine." Ordered something that sounded exotic. It looked like a pile of leaves and I'm fairly certain it tasted like a swamp. The waiter (who was clearly a professional) was forced to maintain a stoic face as I basically just picked at it and mumbled something vaguely appreciative. God bless his patience!
- 8:00 PM - Early Night: Exhausted. Jet lag is a beast. Back in my car park-view room, already making mental notes to pack earplugs and an eye-mask for the next night. Gonna attempt actual sleep and pray I don't dream of beige fish-shaped abominations.
Day 2: Cathedral Dreams, Sauna Serenity, and a Quest for Fika
- 9:00 AM - Cathedral Redemption: Back to the cathedral! Spent more time up close, and it was honestly awe-inspiring. That building has seen some things. I kind of felt a weird connection to the centuries of people who'd walked those floors. I still don't fully get the religious aspect, but I can appreciate the power of history and faith.
- 10:30 AM - Gustavianum: Museum of Uppsala University: Walked through the university museum. So many old books, scientific instruments, and bones! Weirdly fascinating. Learned about the history of Uppsala University, which is pretty darn impressive. Tried to act intellectual, which probably failed horribly.
- 12:00 PM - The Fika Hunt: This is serious business. I'm on a mission to find the perfect "fika" experience (that Swedish coffee break with pastries). Wandered and wandered! Finally, found a cute little café at the corner.
- 12:30 PM - Fika Triumph (Mostly): Got a cinnamon bun (kanelbulle) and coffee and sat for an hour to eat them. It was everything I expected, and more. Pure deliciousness. I felt like a proper Swede (at least for 30 minutes).
- 2:00 PM - River Walk and Regrets: Walked alongside the Fyris River. Pretty. Peaceful. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing something, something deeper. So I sat by the river and thought about life itself. I feel like it has been a little too long since I sat down and just thought, which in the beginning made me feel like I was missing out on something.
- 3:30 PM - Sauna Escape: Booked a sauna. Swedish culture is good at this. The heat helped me relax. I ended up chatting with a local, and she was super nice and gave me more tips. They say that after a sauna, they feel refreshed and ready for anything.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner (Take Two): Decided to play it safe tonight. Found a pizza place. Pizza is universal, right? Right.
- 8:00 PM - Reflecting (and Planning for Tomorrow): Back at the hotel. Feeling slightly less lost and slightly more… prepared to face the rest of the trip.
Day 3: Day Trip to Sigtuna, and the Search for Authenticity
- 9:00 AM - Train to Sigtuna: Catch the train and embrace more Swedishness.
- 10:00 AM - Sigtuna Exploration: Sigtuna is supposed to be the oldest town in Sweden, wow! It's quaint and charming, with a rich history. I walked the streets. Saw some runestones. It was a good day to forget my troubles and spend the afternoon there!
- 3:00 PM - Back to Uppsala: Back to Uppsala.
- 4:00 PM - Departure Day: This trip has been the best thing that could have happened. I am sad to leave, but I feel ready!
Random Thoughts and Ramblings:
- The Food: Still figuring this out. The Swedes are obviously into healthy eating, which is great. But… I miss cheese.
- The People: They are incredibly polite, even when I’m being a complete idiot. The reserved demeanor is intriguing. Secretly wondering if they judge my terrible Swedish (because I can't even string together a basic greeting), but probably just trying not to stare.
- The Weather: It's a bit… changeable. One minute sunshine, the next a relentless downpour. Pack layers. Definitely pack layers.
- The Overall Vibe: Uppsala is a city of contrasts - history and modernity blend together. I feel like I've barely scratched the surface, but it's been enough to realize I want to come back next time.
- Me: I'm surviving. I'm learning. I'm making memories that will probably haunt me in the best way for the rest of my life.
This is my Uppsala. Imperfect. Messy. And utterly wonderful. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to look for some more cinnamon buns. Wish me luck! (I'll probably need it.)
Unbelievable Porto Gem: Ruby Charm House 9 - 116352/AL Awaits!
Uppsala's BEST Hotel? Centralstation Hotel Review... or My Chaotic Stay!
(Prepare for a rollercoaster, folks. Buckle up.)
Okay, spill the beans! Is the Centralstation Hotel actually good?
Is the location really that great? Being right next to the train station?
What about the rooms? Are they actually "modern" like the website says?
Let's talk breakfast. Worth waking up for?
Any issues with service? Friendly staff?
Any hidden gems or perks? Anything REALLY good about the hotel?
Final verdict: Should I book a stay?
