Focus Malmö: Accommodation

Last week we looked at how well connected Malmö is and came to the conclusion that it has some of the best transport offerings any host city has had previously, partly in thanks to the Öresund Bridge, which is located very close to the arena.

Now that you have arrived in Malmö, you need somewhere to stay right? Well, Sweden's third largest city has plenty on offer in the way of accommodation.

We would also like to point out at this point that this article is merely meant as an informal guide and that any formal arrangements for accommdation for delegations and accredited persons/fans/ticket holders will be announced closer to the event.

The 2013 Eurovision Song Contest will see an influx of guests to Malmö but the city is very used to hosting large events and with Copenhagen just over the water, there is going to be no shortage of beds come May.

Let's take a look at some of the options available and as mentioned above, this just a guide and not official!

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Hotels

We anticipate that the majority of visitors to Malmö will stay in a hotel. Although not the cheapest option, there are many to choose from in Malmö and the surrounding area varying in quality from cheap and simple right up to more luxurious global brands who have set up shop in the city.

Examples of higher end hotels in Malmö are the Renaissance and Hilton hotels, both conveniently located in the centre of the city and within easy reach of the Malmö Arena. The Hilton is by far the most imposing building; high rise and with plenty of rooms and other facilities. It is also located at Triangeln, just a couple of minutes by train from Hyllie, where the arena is situated. The Renaissance is slightly more intimate but incredibly stylish and encompassing word famous Scandinavian design and elegance. If you have a higher budget, then these could just be for you.

A good example of a middle-of-the road hotel that is neither too expensive nor too cheap is the Comfort Hotel, located right next to the Malmö Central Station, and only a 5-7 minute train journey from the arena, with trains running around the clock. The hotel is a mixture of new and old architecture but the interior has recently been renovated with the rooms offering a very stylish interior with Scandinavian design. The bar and restaurant areas are located in an impressive atrium. Locationwise, the central station is a two minute walk from the lobby and the main square can be reached in about 5-10 minutes depending on how fast you run.

There are countless other examples of hotels in the city with the above being a taster. Copenhagen, being one of Scandinavia's biggest cities also has a lot to offer in the way of hotels and is only located 20 minutes from the arena at Hyllie by direct train.

Hostels

Malmö, like most cities in Europe has budget offering for visiting by way of youth hostels. The most well known is run by the Svenska Turistföreningen (STF) and is located in the heart of the city. For a franction of the cost of a standard hotel, with the added benefit of self-catering facilities and a more social atmosphere, you stay in a convenient location and within easy reach of the Malmö Arena in Hyllie.

Camping

Maybe not an option in Baku but certainly in Düsseldorf and Oslo, camping has its advantages: for a very small fee you can pitch up (or park up) your tent or caravan/campervan in a convenient location on the outskirts of Malmö.

First Camp Malmö is one of the most convenient examples, located right next to the Öresund with a spectacular view of the bridge to Denmark, the camping site is also extremely close to the Malmö Arena, which is just a short drive away. Although camping may sound like a somewhat primitive option to some of you, rest assured this site has all the modern conveniences you will need and to top it all off you can make your trip into a traditional holiday, like when you were a child.

Cabins

Anyone with any common sense will know that Malmö isn't located in the Alps, nor anywhere near to any formidable ski resorts.

However, in Sweden and Norway it is quite common to find small cabins (or "stugor" as they are known in Sweden) located on camp sites for those who want to experience the atmosphere without the hassle of a erecting a tent or unpacking a caravan. First Camp, mentioned above, offers a selection of cabins on the camp site, which are a slightly more expensive yet arguable more convenient alternative to traditional camping. They can also fit more people, which means that the costs can be shared.

Apartments

In Malmö it is possible to hire apartments but this requires some research and trawling through the net. Many of the larger holiday home companies in Scandinavia will offer apartments in the city but you will most likely find a better deal by going directly through private providers. An ideal solution for those people planning a longer term visit to Malmö during the contest.

Hopefully you have found this article useful. Next time Focus Malmö will be looking at cuisine. Malmö is known as Sweden's most international city; can it live up to this name when it comes to food? We'll soon find out!