Clarion Grand Helsingborg is the first Clarion hotel in Helsingborg and have just like many other hotels in the Strawberry group have returning offers of 3-course dinner with stay over and breakfast. It’s well located close to Kärnan and the train and ferry terminal. It´s also well located for some shopping or a fika at Ebbas fik. But does it lives up to its 4*?
Check in
I arrived with the ferry from Helsingör in Denmark and made a quick walk up to the hotel. The hotel is located in a fashionable building from 1926. This makes Clarion Grand looks nice and classy but the floor map becomes a little confusing. The reception is quite small but have big doors to the bar area that makes it looks bigger. There is also an indoor entrance to a kiosk making it easy to buy magazines and refreshments.
When I enter I’m always quickly welcomed and the the check in is smooth with a recognition of status members in their loyalty club. If you have paid thru the app the reception don´t always see it. But it´s just to tell them and the see it directly in another program.
The Deluxe room at Clarion Grand
When you book the offer at Clarion Grand you get the offers to upgrade your room category for about 20£. Even if this is an easy way to make some up sale I do find it worth the money. Specially because the weather in Sweden can be could and rainy and as such more welcoming to an cozy day in bed then a chilly walk.
My Deluxe double room have big windows facing the square letting the day light flow in to the room. This is necessary for the room it self is quite dark. However there is enough lamps to make it feel comfortable. This was specially nice when I had a friend over for a drink in the sitting group. Its always a problem to have friends visiting your room if there ain’t a social area. It don´t feel comfortable to letting your friend be forced to sit at the bed edge. So the upgrade to deluxe room was definite worth the money.
But the bathroom was small and didn’t feel as fresh as the other part of the room. It was not in a need of renovation but just felt cramped and unwelcoming. Here Clarion Grand would benefit of an improvement even if I can understand the logistical problems with it.
Bar and restaurant
The restaurant at Clarion Grand in Helsingborg is named The Social and is just what the name sounds like. A social space where you can meet your friends or for that part strangers over a drink before you continue in to the restaurant part. The atmosphere reminds me about a classical English club with big windows and wooden walls.
The servant took times to chat a little between dishes making the experience feel personal. She also made sure the dished was served in a good time without making us feel any stress. The course started with a mushroom toast followed with char before it ended with a chocolate mousse. To top it off I also ordered a double espresso.
Clarion Grand Helsingborg made me want to come back.
The food was delicious, the service personal and the atmosphere festive. So it was truly a great evening at Clarion grand. But the room was a little to warm making the quilt unnecessary. I did want to take a cold shower but the high walls on the bath tube and cramped feeling in the bath room made me abstain. But this was actually the only bad thing I can find out about Clarion grand. If you wan’t a more modern hotel you can choose Clarion Sea U close by.