Långholmen Hotell offers one of the most unique stays in Stockholm, housed within the walls of a former Crown Prison. Operating as a penal facility for nearly 300 years, the prison finally closed in 1974. Today, you can sleep in converted prison cells that have been transformed into bright, modern rooms, offering a fascinating connection to the building’s storied and somewhat macabre past.
The hotel complex is built around a striking atrium gallery dating back to 1866, which serves as a bright, open heart to the historic structure. Guests can explore the on-site prison museum to learn more about the island’s history, including the fact that it was once a barren, rocky outcrop until 19th-century prisoners were forced to landscape it with mud dredged from local waterways.
The island itself is a peaceful, lush escape from the city center, surrounded by walking trails, jogging paths, and even a popular swimming beach located just steps from the hotel entrance. It’s an ideal spot for those who want a mix of quiet nature and easy access to urban excitement.
When you’re ready to explore further, the trendy district of Södermalm is just a short walk across the Långholmen bridge. There, you’ll find an endless array of cafes, galleries, and shops. The historic beauty of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town, is also easily reachable, making the hotel a perfect, distinctive base for your Swedish getaway.
Expert reviews
“Guests at this hotel-hostel, in a former prison on Långholmen island, sleep on bunks in a cell, with either shared or private baths. Hotel-standard rooms are also in cells but spruced up with textured wall coverings and mod fixtures.”
“This former prison morphed into a combined hotel and hostel when the inmates were moved elsewhere in 1975. Hjalmar Branting, Sweden’s first working-class prime minister, spent three months behind bars here in 1889 for denying God and the afterlife.”
Featured as Frommer’s Exceptional Choice in Stockholm.
What guests liked
- Great food
- Great experience
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Great location
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
2 April 2026
Very good
A nice concept hotel, the island where the hotel is located was very peaceful. The breakfast and restaurant was amazing.
The hotel is a bit far from the city centre and public transport.
2 April 2026
Stockholm for 2 days
Very exciting for the kids and very central. We had very good time here.
30 March 2026
Really enjoyed our time and would recommend it
Atmosphere, historical interpretation
27 March 2026
Good budget stay relatively close to the centre of Stockholm
The history of prison and exhibitions are a real added value. We enjoyed that a lot. It is great example of "second life" of a prison.
Nothing comes into my mind ;-)
26 March 2026
A wonderful and unique hotel stay
This was a stunner of a stay. Cute property, beautiful location, wonderfully decorated, clean rooms, comfy beds, great shower pressure and hot water. Breakfast was spectacular. Probably the best hotel breakfast I've ever experienced. Staff was kind and friendly. Prison museum on site was interesting as was the art exhibit.
17 March 2026
Most hotel stays, however great, blend into each other after a while. This one won’t, for all the right reasons.
Loved the idea of converting a former prison into a hotel. Atmospheric and very cool.
Nothing.
13 March 2026
Good stay inhistorical place with good food.
Unique experience, sleeping in old jail cell. Inside is reb novated and clean. Offers very good food.
Naturally the room is bit small.
9 March 2026
Gorgeous stay in a fab location loved it.
Fantastic hotel , great location with lovely quirky details, amazing breakfast and restaurant . Staff helpful and welcoming. Would definitely return.
3 March 2026
Excellent, clean, walkable to the city, and affordable.
On the outside the location has parking, is nestled against the river, and still looks like an old prison. On the inside though, it’s a modernized hotel. The rooms were clean, the restrooms had towel warmers, and I was able to crack the window to let in the cold outside air.
The TV in the room was small, and could have been in a more convenient location for viewing. However, it served its purpose and I spent most of my time exploring the city anyway so this doesn’t take away from the positive experience.
2 March 2026
Exceptional
This hotel is very unique and impressive. It is located in a historic building and the rooms are very quiet. The breakfast is generous, and you can also buy special souvenirs there. Overall, it was definitely worth the price and added a lot to our trip in Stockholm.
It’s a bit far from public transportation, but that wasn’t a big problem.
21 February 2026
Good value for money in beautiful location
Excellent breakfast and a cozy cell
Bad sound-proofing from the corridor
21 February 2026
Exceptional
The location, the cosyness and the breakfast
Nothing
8 February 2026
Excellent stay
The concept of the hotel is really amazing. Extremely well designed and implemented. The idea of sleeping in prison cells provides some kind of security that I will have a chance to get a good night's sleep and rest. hahaha The breakfast is absolutely amazing, my favorite part was the pancakes with whipped cream, strawberry jam and homemade Nutella. I liked the guillotine-shaped mirror in the room. I have found my accommodation every time I come to Stockholm.
Nothing
30 January 2026
Best memory in Stockholm!
Perfect breakfast and memorable living space:)
Juz a bit far from everything, but walkable from metro:)
26 January 2026
Great historical place
Nice prison vibe, the staff was friendly, the room clean and comfortable. Very good price for Stockholm.
There room was a bit too cold. Lack of a kettle was disappointing .
18 January 2026
It's as if you've touched some history and secrets :)
Interesting location. With history. When I booked it, I couldn't even imagine it was a former royal prison. I liked it, even though it was cramped, the breakfast was not bad :)
very cramped room)
12 January 2026
Exceptional- kind staff, great breakfast, cosy, great location.
This place is amazing, stylish and comfortable converted prison cells which did not feel claustrophobic in the least. Exceeded my expectations (I was slightly apprehensive about old cells). It’s extraordinary value with a fantastic generous 5 star hotel breakfast included but our bunk rooms were at backpacker prices (private bathrooms too). It is in a wonderful location to walk through snow covered forests or across a couple of bridges in to Stockholm old town or to Södermalm. The staff were really kind and friendly. We enjoy walking so it was lovely to walk everywhere but there is also a Metro nearby or Ubers easily available. There is a well equipped kitchen if you want to cook for yourself. Highly recommend!
Nothing!
30 December 2025
Exceptional
The scenario was spectacular
The experience of sleep in a cell room
29 December 2025
Exceptional
I had a wonderful stay at Långholmen Hotell. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful throughout my visit. They have a convenient luggage room, and I felt very safe knowing that staff members are available 24/7. It made my stay in Stockholm very comfortable and worry-free. Highly recommended!
ちょっと栄えているとこから遠い
29 December 2025
Exceptional
Cool place, love this hotel. Very valuable:)
25 December 2025
Perfect
Interesting concept. Lovely staff
Room quite small
23 December 2025
Fun and comfortable experience for a couple with 2 small dogs!
What made us choose this hotel was the free parking (almost non-existent in Stockholm otherwise) and the low extra price for dogs in the room. Just 300kr per visit, when other hotels charge a price per dog per day, which adds up quickly. The room was small, but this was expected of course. Adds up to the fun prison feeling😅 The bed was extremely comfortable, the staff was very friendly any time we needed help. Although the museum was small, it was free for guests and very interesting! Would 100% visit again next time I’m in Stockholm!
17 December 2025
Exceptional
Great location, not too far from Hornstull station for easy access to the city centre and airport bus. Rooms (cells) were well sized, well equipped and very clean. And in such an interesting place too! Definitely recommend the museum. The breakfast was excellent too, well worth the money. Overall, a great hotel which enabled us to have a great time in Stockholm!
14 December 2025
Very good
Lovely location. Excellent breakfast. Very clean.
Felt a bit strange being in a former prison, even though we knew that when we booked.
14 December 2025
Exceptional
The atmosphere. The Christmas spirit and the feeling of being in prison. The Christmas decorations were super nice and we enjoyed it all.
13 December 2025
Unique experience
Very well renovated hotel, good breakfast, and decent room
It would be great to be informed about history of the hotel during check-in
8 December 2025
Beside not cash money been accepted was fabulous
The scenario was spectacular, the sensation of sleep in a prison cell, was the best, I advice to try and see by themselves
For my case been a foreigner in business trip it's normal to carry cash and the hotel doesn't allow cash I was like where I'm gone yes this cash if no one accept it? I'll suggest that for foreign tourist and business to accept cash most of foreign cards doesn't work due to some restrictions in poss by in my case central bank the limitation in terms of quantity to be use and in some country's
3 December 2025
Just go fhere a be a prisoner in the most luxurious pridon in the world!
Unique, a must have Stockholm experience
27 November 2025
Excellent stay in an unusual building
Really helpful and friendly staff. The entire hotel is so clean , the housekeeping staff / cleaning staff do an amazing job. It’s really decorated well ( Xmas decorations were really cute too) - you can forget it was a prison ! Bed was really comfortable. The museum is really interesting and gives context for the building .
I ate at the bar one night and they just had one vegetarian option but that’s just personal preference . The food was good.
21 November 2025
Lovely hotel, friendly staff and great breakfast!
Loved the rooms, clean, warm and cosy. It was fun to be in such an original setting. The breakfast was excellent. Staff were really friendly and helpful.
Nothing, everything was great!
21 November 2025
Fantastic!!!
It’s a great atmosphere the fact that it used to be a prison makes it special. The Christmas decorations are amazing.
Nothing
19 November 2025
Very good
Quirky surroundings, really good location, just off the beaten path.
Quite warm in the room. Rooms are as one should expect quite small.
12 November 2025
Decent stay
The roma are clean, just a little small. The breakfast is great.
10 November 2025
special !
I liked the idea of a hotel in this building; it was special. Also, the breakfast was very good. Amazing location. Transport and walking were comfortable. I will definitely stay again.
Hotel design, staff, and location in a beautiful forest park :))
3 November 2025
Fabulous
Breakfast
Location – It’s quite a distance from Gamla Stan and T-Centralen if you’re walking, but better by metro (cca. 20min from Horstull t-bana)
1 November 2025
Exceptional
This hotel is a whole vibe ,I love it ! Everything it’s nice and interesting The staff also very helpful and nice I m not a person texting reviews and stuff but uhjd hotel worth 10/10 Maybe one suggestion the breakfast time should last longer it’s to many people eat a same hour I couldn’t found place where to sit down
28 October 2025
Excellent, kids loved it !
Great variety of food at breakfast. Location was lovely, 10 minute walk to underground train into central Stockholm.
22 October 2025
Fantastic.
Unique experience, fantastic breakfast included in the price.ability to walk into Old Town Stockholm 3km along the water or use nearby metro strip. Parking available.
Nothing.
20 October 2025
Fantastic
You know exactly what you're getting and still beat my expectations, staff are fantastic, especially in the restaurant. Not a single thing to complain about, 10/10
I would've liked to open the windows but understand its more likely a health and safety issue.
19 October 2025
Fabulous
Style
17 October 2025
Stay in an actual prison on a stunning Island!
Such a cool and historic place. Something very different, beautiful and comfortable on a stunning island close to the city. Walkable to the old town in 30-40 mins
As with a lot of the accomodation in Sweden there is no hot drinks facilities in the rooms any more. Not such if this is a new thing. But not a major issue.
13 October 2025
Loved Langholmen Hotell
Quirky and a totally unique experience to stay in a former prison. Brilliant concept. Excellent value. Great breakfast. Beautiful waterside walks into the city. Just loved the homely feel away from the buzz of the city.
Loved everything about this unique hotel. Rooms are small but that's part of the charm. City centre is a 45/50 walk so not for those who are less able.
8 October 2025
Very good
The rooms are small, but exactly what you would expect since they are former cells.
8 October 2025
Lovely hotel and amazing breakfast
This is a really lovely hotel and the fact it was once a prison gives it a unique atmosphere. The breakfast is incredible. The island is very peaceful with good bars and restaurants in walking distance. It’s a 10 minute walk to the metro, and 4 stops from there into the centre of town.
7 October 2025
Fantastic few days at a wonderful hotel.
The staff were quite simply brilliant , the breakfast incredible , and the ambiance perfect
6 October 2025
Great experience!
The experience itself!Good value for the money, super clean and comfortable; great & diverse breakfast
5 October 2025
Beau we proche de la famille à Reimers holme
L’ambiance
Distance de transports en commun
1 October 2025
This is one of the best experiences I have ever had at a hotel!
The location of the hotel was magical. It was a fantastic way to experience a city but also be in nature. It was easy to walk places and catch the train. The breakfast buffet was incredible. The food was so fresh and there was plenty of seating for everyone. The staff was kind and always greeted me with a smile. The room was very comfortable and even though it was small there was plenty of room for luggage and to relax. This hotel was a great value for the price and I hope to be back again in the future.
The only thing I didn't like is that I had to leave and go home! I wish I was still there.
29 September 2025
Exceptional
Excellent service
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Kids' meals (additional charge)
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Invoice provided
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Outdoor furniture
- - Picnic area
General
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Family rooms
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Heating
- - Allergy-free room
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shared lounge/TV area
- - Pet bowls
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Activities
- - Canoeing (additional charge)
- - Hiking
- - Cycling
- - Beachfront
- - Public bath
- - Beach
- - Temporary art galleries
- - Bicycle rental (additional charge)
Kitchen
- - Shared kitchen
Entertainment & family services
- - Board games/puzzles
Parking
- - Electric vehicle charging station
- - Accessible parking
Miscellaneous
- - Key card access
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered

More photos

5 April 2026
A brilliant venue on a peaceful island