Some of the best value opportunities with Choice Privileges are using points for hotels in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, places where finding a hotel for under $100 per night is difficult in most Scandinavian cites most dates of the year.
With a Ryanair flight from Krakow, Poland to Stockholm, Sweden Skavsta Airport NYO and an overnight Stockholm stay needed before flying to Los Angeles on SAS, Kelley opted to stay at Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport with her 20,000 Choice Privileges points.
I purchased 28,000 points for Kelley’s Choice Privileges account for $160 during the 2019 U.S. Travel Association’s Daily Getaways sale. Availability of a suite using 20,000 points made this reward night a terrific redemption value for us at $114.29 USD in points for a 3,190 SEK/$334.88 USD advance purchase room night rate.
Loyalty Traveler – All in for 267,000 Choice Privileges points at $1,368 (May 20, 2019).
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport is located in SkyCity, basically the upstairs airport shopping mall and conference center between Terminals 4 and 5. We arrived at Terminal 5 via Flygbussarna from Stockholm City and walked through the airport hallways to the Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport. Radisson Blu Arlanda Airport is also located in this area.
Suite 1000 Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport
Suite 1000 is at the end of the hallway on Floor 10 of the 13 floor hotel.
Suite 1000 entry hall opened to the bedroom on the left and the living room on the right with a toilet and sink only bathroom in that space.
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport Suite 1000 Bedroom
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport Suite 1000 Living Room
The living room included a small bathroom with toilet and sink.
Kelley doubted my ability to make a cup of soup with the room Nespresso machine. As long as there is no coffee pod, the machine pours out hot water. I have learned that over the years as dozens of time I have inserted a coffee pod, only to have the machine trash the coffee pod into its waste bin and end up with only a cup of hot water. Personally, I think coffee pods are a huge waste in resources and money. I prefer a regular coffee pot.
One of the coolest features in the room was a refrigerator in the cabinet below the Nespresso machine.
Even more rare than a refrigerator in a Swedish hotel room is Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport had an ice machine in the hallway by the elevators.
Kelley suggested I take Uber to the Swedish government liquor store Systembolaget for some real beer. Regular markets can only sell beer with alcohol level below 3.5% ABV. I actually checked Uber prices to find it would cost around $30 to make the 15-minute round trip to the nearest Systembolaget.
“Systembolaget exists for one reason: To minimize alcohol-related problems by selling alcohol in a responsible way, without profit motive. Our vision is a society in which everyone can enjoy alcoholic drinks with consideration about health and without harming either themselves or others.”
Another dry night in Sweden. No alcohol the day before makes a better long-haul flight experience in my opinion.
We were not really too interested in buying beer for the day. I could have stopped by Systembolaget when we were in Stockholm. After arriving at Central Station from Stockholm Skavsta Airport NYO, I went to Coop in the station and purchased hot chicken, baguette, broccoli, hummus, a cup of soup and sparkling water.
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport Buffet Breakfast
Every Nordic Choice Hotel I have stayed at in Scandinavia includes complimentary buffet breakfast. Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport is a conference hotel and the breakfast room is quite large.
Breakfast at Nordic Choice Hotels generally includes salad items.
Another counter offered hot items including eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, oatmeal and pancakes.
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport Lobby Living Room
Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport has a gym and swimming pool on Floor 3. I never checked out that room.
All in all a wonderful stay at an airport hotel before a 9:50am flight. Kelley enjoyed not having to travel from Stockholm City to the airport prior to the flight.
A second Nordic Choice Hotel, Comfort Hotel Arlanda Airport opened in January 2020 at Arlanda Airport within the airport area. Comfort Hotel was visible from the Clarion Suite 1000 bedroom window. Given both hotels are listed at 20,000 Choice Privileges points, the Clarion is likely the better hotel option when both places are available. Especially when Clarion Hotel Arlanda Airport has a suite available for points.
