This is a great value hotel. Clean, tidy, everything works and there is a good breakfast. The staff are wonderful. All the staff from the receptionists to the cleaners go out of their way to be helpful. Highly recommended.

I don't usually mind cheap hotels. I am a travelodge/Ibis/Days Inn sort of person. So I thought I would stay here having found the Lundia too hot to sleep in. Since I was visiting the univ the location was fine, and the supermarket next door is handy.

But when someone else turned on a tap, it sounded as though it was next to my bed. Which woke me up just after 5. Since I had got in late the night before, that meant less than 4 hours sleep. Not my idea of a successful night. I checked out, and the grumpy person on the desk asked me what I expected for the price. My friend had also asked for a quiet room, and I was given about the only one overlooking the road, even though the hotel was not full. Not impressive at all.

The rooms are good sized, and the kitchens allow you to make yourself meals in the evening - with is useful. The paint is grey and the furniture austere and functional. The curtains let the light in - you can read in bed with no lights on at 6am - not good for those who want to sleep in beyond sun rise. WiFi is extra. Bathrooms small and dingy, although that does not bother me.

As I say, I checked out 9 hours after arrival and went to the Ideon Gasteri - very good staff, if nowhere to prepare food.

It's an okay place, I suppose, and one of the cheapest in town. Don't expect a whole lot of luxury in there, but the beds sure are comfortable, especially if you have been traveling for a while. The hotel is located in a very secluded part of town (walk a little east, it's a highway and some park), but dowtown is still accessible on foot fairly easily, if you know how to navigate the maze of streets. It is also near the Botanical Gardens which is quite a quaint place to just do nothing for an afternoon; The ICA supermarket next door comes in handy, and so does the excellent sandwich place - you must try their coffee.

I often stay here when I am working at the neighbouring research park (IDEON) because of the large rooms, comfortable beds and the convenience of the short walk from the hotel to my meetings. I value these things higher than flowery bedding and marble bathrooms.

Indeed, if you want prettiness, don't go here (try Ideon Gaestgiveri instead at twice the price). Hotell Sparta used to be student accommodation (the neighbouring buildings still are) and there is a practical, low-budget feel to the place, including the kitchens on each corridor where you can cook your own meals and meet other guests. There are often groups of visitors from Africa or Asia happy to save money this way and you can call in at the supermarket opposite if you want to get a microwave meal to eat in. Or try the impressively upmarket new sandwich bar that is just in front of the hotel. Restaurant Sparta is more of a canteen than a restaurant, so if you want to really dine out, head into town (buses 1 and 6 go every few minutes) where you will be spoiled for choice. (A stroll around the centre of Lund is a must anyway - it is absolutely charming.)

The breakfast is good and the staff are nice, so if you want basic but comfortable accommodation near the research park, I can recommend this hotel.