It's perhaps worth noting that in summer some of the larger hotels drop their prices even lower than their usual discount rate if you turn up after 6pm without a booking. This is obviously a risky strategy (and breakfast often isn't included in these "late deals"!, but It can mean some very cheap rooms. The best package deals are those operated in Malmo, Stockholm and Gothenburg, where 280300kr (minimum) gets you a hotel bed for one night, breakfast and the relevant city discount card thrown in. These schemes are generally valid from midJune to midAugust and at weekends throughout the year, but see the aaommodation details under the city accounts for more exact information. The other option to consider is buying into a ™>tel pass scheme, where you pay in advance 'or a series of vouchers or cheques which then discounts or free accommodation in various chains throughout the country. Participating ns include fleso, SARA and Sweden Hotels er details can be found in the free booklet fe in Sweden, available from the Swedish nst Board, which also lists every hotel in the Youth hostels The biggest choice (indeed, quite often the only choice) lies with the country's huge chain of youth hostels {Vandrarhem], operated by the Svenska Turistforeningen {STF Drottninggatan 3133, Stockholm; tr08790 31 00), There are around 280 hostels in the country (130 open all year), mainly in southern and central Sweden, but also at regular and handy intervals throughout the north. Forget any preconceptions about youth hostelling: in Sweden rooms are family orientated, tnodern, clean and hotellike, existing in the unlikeliest places in old castles, schoolrooms, country manors, and even boats. Virtually all have well equipped selfcatering kitchens and serve a buffet breakfast. Prices are low (6090kr plus a 15kr heating supplement in winter; nonmembers pay an extra 35kr a night) and correspond to one of three grades. It would be impossible to list every hostel in this guide, so consult the International Youth Hostel Handbook or the handbook published by the STF 60kr from hostels, tourist offices and large bookshops (or available from STF, Box 25, S101 20 Stockholm). Some tips: hostels are used by Swedish families as cheap hotelstandard accommodation and can fill quickly, so always ring ahead in the summer; family rooms are often available for couples; hostels are usually closed between 10am and 5pm, curfews around llpm Apart from the STF hostels, there are a number of independently run hostels usually charging similar prices. Many are listed in the booklet of nonaffiliated hostels (SWfl and local tourist offices will have more details. Private rooms and B&B A further option are the private rooms in people's houses that most tourist offices can book for you in any reasonable sized town. From around 90140kr per person (plus a 3050kr booking fee), they are an affordable and pleasant option: all have access to showers and baths, sometimes a kitchen too, and hosts are rarely intrusive.