We were at ARN a few times flying in and out for Oslo, Helsinki, Copenhagen flights, and when…read moreyou're flying direct which no baggage ARN is great. Arlanda terminal 5 is incredibly easy to get dropped off at. The kiosk is right next to the door. You print out your ticket and especially if you have no checked baggage, it's an incredibly quick process to get to your gate. But if you have a connecting flight on a separate airline ARN is a very difficult airport to fly out of. The kiosks won't take your confirmation number and you won't have your ticket number, so you'll have to use your passport and if you have multiple people in your party, you can't add them in at the kiosk, you have to go though the process one by one, for every single passenger, filling out all the documents as you go. Each person takes about 4-5 minutes to check in. They do have a checked bag drop but it's entirely, and I mean entirely, self service. You put your bag tags on, load the luggage on the belt, and scan the baggage yourself. I'd never seen anything like it and I would advise adding in a solid hour of time if you're checking baggage and flying out, especially for multiple people. All in all, the shops at ARN and the terminal itself were quite nice, it's primarily just their baggage process that's not great.

This was one of the smoothest, easiest airports I've ever been through! From the moment we got…read morethere, everything just felt super straightforward. I had zero trouble getting around the layout is really easy to follow, and nothing felt confusing or overwhelming, which is a BIG plus when you're traveling. Lowkey I was excited to get my passport stamped but unfortunately they didn't stamp it lol not a dealbreaker, just something I was looking forward to. Getting in and out of the airport was super convenient. The taxi and Uber pick-up area is literally right when you walk out, so you're not wandering around trying to figure out where to go. Huge win. Baggage claim was also super quick and easy no long waits, no chaos, just grab your stuff and go. And when it was time to head back home, the process was just as smooth. TSA/security was actually really nice and friendly, which you don't always get at airports, so that definitely stood out. Overall, this airport made traveling feel stress-free. Everything was efficient, clean, and well-organized. Easily one of the best airport experiences I've had!

The Connect Hotel is a utilitarian hotel near the airport that offers a free shuttle bus (every 30…read moreminutes from about 4:00am to midnight) to and from Arlanda. For those who book cheap fares with long layovers like we did, Connect Hotel is perfect. There is nothing fancy here but it is quite nice. My traveling companion actually described it as "Ikea like." The hotel is clean, comfortable and quiet so we got a good night's rest before the last leg of our journey. There is a full bar in the evening -- which is great for a weary traveler. Their restaurant service exceeded expectations. You make your selections, pay at the bar and soon the food is delivered to your table in the commons area. You can eat it there or retreat to your room if you prefer. My traveling companion is vegan and though the menu did not offer vegan dishes per se, several items, including a hearty bulgar salad, were easily adapted to a vegan diet simply by omitting the cheese. I ordered a shrimp sandwich. The small shrimp (probably 36-40 size) were piled high on an open face sandwich dressed with mayo and garnished with a pickle and fresh veggies. Along with a side of fries it was a satisfying meal. Breakfast is served starting at 4:00am in the morning -- a definite plus for those with early flights. The breakfast buffet includes a selection of breads, cold meats and cheese, hard boiled eggs, yogurts, fruit, cereals, juices, coffee and tea. They also offer gluten free and lactose free options for those on special diets (which also worked well for my vegan companion). We ate our fill and caught the 7:00am bus to the airport, getting there with plenty of time to leisurely work our way through security and to our gate. So if you have an itinerary like ours, you'll find that the Connect Hotel should serve your needs well.

"Are we at IKEA?!" First words out of our mouth…read more AMBIANCE: ------------ The lobby is neat, clean, and well decorated. Definitely something out of an IKEA designers' collection. The staff welcomes you from behind the reception desk, which also operates as a bar! So of course we were immediately fond of this place. STAFF: ------- Staff is helpful and courteous, and can help you figure out the best way to visit neighboring areas. They were quick to help when I requested a bag of ice for my ankle (which has been slowly healing from a grade 3 sprain since May 15). Really appreciated their concern. ROOMS: --------- They are TINY! But they get the job done. The four of us shared between us a double bed and a bunk bed. The boys graciously took the bunk bed. :) The bathroom is even smaller. If you bend over while sitting on the toilet, you may bump your head on the sink counter. If you try to shower in the magical glass door compartment that has no tub but doesn't leak water, you may bang an elbow or knee. But nothing we can't deal with for such a good price! FOOD: ------- Basic complimentary breakfast of lunch meats, cucumber & tomato, cheese, bread, granola and yogurt, some fruits, and coffee. Lunch and dinner (and of course drinks) are available for separate purchase. LOCATION: ------------ Perfect if you need to stay close to the airport. Since we had only one night here for our layover on the way to Barcelona, this was the best location. It was only about a 15-20 minute Uber to downtown Stockholm. Transportation rocked. A designated bus picked us up at the airport, dropped us off at the hotel, and brought us back to the airport the next morning. Very convenient! TIP: This will do the job and fit your travel budget. DATE TIP: Not the most romantic rooms for a getaway. Would recommend looking elsewhere! :D