The studio I stayed in during my solo trip to Stockholm was one of the highlights of my holiday. I had chosen it on Airbnb a little over four months before my visit. For just under £60 per night, I was promised a real scandi-style apartment to stay in.
What I didn’t know, was that it was everything I’d imagined – and more.
Why I Chose an Airbnb Rental Over a Hotel
Having been following Scandi principles of slow living for a few years now, I wanted to experience a traditional Stockholm home, and also live in a way that left as little impact as possible. I started my search by looking at eco hotels such as Hobo, but with prices exceeding my budget, and add-ons I really didn’t need, I decided to give Airbnb a go.
I’ll be honest, I haven’t always had the best experience on Airbnb. The apartment my boyfriend and I shared in Amsterdam was missing many appliances. The Paris flat my sister and I stayed in didn’t have cutlery, WiFi, or a sofa. I imagine there are plenty of other horror stories out there too.
Thank goodness for Edwin & Maria, then. On my third attempt at staying in an Airbnb home, they met and exceed my expectations. They’re exactly what you hope for when you book into an Airbnb – welcoming, knowledgeable, but also happy to leave you to get on with things. I really appreciated their hosting during my week away.
The Best Studio Apartment in Södermalm
Edwin & Maria’s place is a minimalist’s dream. Their Södermalm flat is as neat as a pin, coming with a shoes-off-at-the-door policy, and a four-page laminate explaining everything you need to know about the place. It has a single bed with a pull-out twin bed, a tiny kitchenette, a tiny bathroom, and lots of light.
Every night I enjoyed returning to the studio, immediately able to relax after a long day of exploring the islands, eating too much food, and sporting a red nose from the cold.
If the place is too hot, you can open an air vent. If the place is too cold, you can use the electric radiator. The cupboard is stacked with cutlery, crockery, and an electric hob. There’s a full-size fridge, neatly tucked in the entrance hall so you don’t hear its hum when you’re sleeping. Everything is well thought-out, and just enough.
That was the best thing about it – finding lagom. It’s something I’ve tried to emulate in my own life and home, so it was a joy to find it in lagom’s home country.
(I wanted to write this post as more of a thank you to my hosts more than anything else, and point you in the right direction if you’re looking for a similar experience when you visit Stockholm. I had the best time staying here, and I hope you do too!)
