The Clarion Draken in Gothenburg is a good summary of the high-end hotel experience in Scandinavia: everything is almost perfect, but some really annoying details always spoil the experience.

I had already stayed at the Draken a few months earlier, but the hotel had just opened and some facilities, including the spa, which the hotel advertises, were not yet operational. So I took advantage of my return to Gothenburg to finally try it out. This article will mainly focus on that experience, so I invite you to read my previous article for a more comprehensive review of this property.

You will find a summary of the articles on these holidays in Singapore and Bali at the bottom of the page.

Booking

I booked a superior double room several months before my trip at €181 per night, which wasn’t that expensive considering the cost of living in Scandinavia.

Check-in

48 hours before my arrival, I received a confirmation email… in Swedish. Whether it’s hotels or restaurants, this isn’t the first time I’ve noticed that properties don’t take their customers’ language into account when communicating with them.

I then receive a second email with paid upgrade offers.

An overpriced suite, one that doesn’t guarantee me a floor as high as my room or the same view, and finally a corner room with no guarantee of a view or floor. I’ll pass.

A third email offers me the chance to book a spa session, and, of course, it’s in Swedish.

I go to the booking page… which is also in Swedish. It costs €35 to pay online because the spa is operated by a partner property. This is the case pretty much everywhere, but Scandinavia is the only place I’ve seen separate payments required.

Regarding payment, the process fails twice on my phone. I switch to my computer and it works without any problems. Of course, they don’t take American Express, even though the hotel does.

A laborious experience, not smooth at all, but after traveling around the region, I finally came to terms with it…

Compared to my experiences at Marriott over the last two months, it’s like night and day. One thing is certain: here, the customer is not the focus of the experience.

During my previous stay, I was able to pre-register online and complete the process at a kiosk on site, but this option was not available this time.

To conclude on this subject, it should be noted that reservations can only be changed by telephone, but that this service is not available on Sundays and public holidays.

You will notice the “à props de la fraise” reference to the Stawberry hotel group…weird translation

I will receive one last email offering me to reserve a parking space… once again in Swedish. It’s getting annoying.

Two days later, I arrived at the hotel, went to reception, and checked in quickly and efficiently. As is often the case in this region, you pay for your stay when you check in, and I was also asked to say what time I would like to have breakfast. As if I knew…

The room

I got the same type of room as during my previous stay.

Not particularly large (but that’s another local peculiarity), but it’s pretty and cozy.

Still the two half duvets, which are common here but which I can’t stand.

The bathroom, with a shower but no bathtub, is small but pleasant.

Let’s add that even though the minibar is well stocked, there isn’t even a complimentary bottle of water.

Facilities

The hotel has a gym. Or rather, it has a partnership with a gym located in the hotel building but operated by a partner and not directly accessible without going outside. I haven’t tried it.

And then there’s the spa.

The setting is very pleasant and quite relaxing.

It has three pools, but I didn’t notice any difference in temperature.

There is, of course, a sauna.

I’m surprised not to find a hammam, but there is a nice ice room.

In the middle there is a large relaxation area with sofas, tables, chairs, and a bar.

A beer and a sauna… Sweden summed up in one photo.

A very pleasant place. Let’s say it’s less relaxing than the Radisson Blu spa, less cold and impersonal than the Gothia Towers/Upper House spa, and less festive than the Jacy’z spa.

Bar and restaurant

The hotel has a restaurant that I won’t try, nor will I try the lobby bar.

I wanted to have a drink at the bar on the top floor, which has a beautiful view, but at 11:30 p.m. they stopped serving.

Staff

Pleasant for the little interaction I had with them.

Bottom line

A hotel with many qualities but too many irritants for a high-end property.

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