Gothenburg’s skyline has been transformed, and it’s all down to Jacy’z Hotel & Resort. The resort hotel from Sweden’s ESS Group towers over the city in a 100-meter-high skyscraper. Inside its plush mid-century Vegas design touched with Scandinavian elegance. This isn’t just a stay, but an entertainment mecca—bars, restaurants, shows, and wellness facilities mean it’s a destination in itself. We explore the glass giant with cocktail in hand.

Jacyz Hotel glassy exterior
All eyes are on Jacy’z

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own

Jacy’z Hotel & Resort Gothenburg review

But first, the rooftop pool club

It’s not often we start our hotel write-ups with a pool, but this one’s the talk of town. Pachanga Pool Club sits on the 28th floor and it’s where to enjoy the best views of Gothenburg. It’s open all day and the vibes are distinct depending on your visit time. In the day, it’s a chill-out zone, where it’s not frowned upon to do coco margaritas before noon. In the afternoon the hangout livens up, food being the prerogative for patrons who huddle their sun chairs around lobster rolls. After that, they may hit the saunas, the sunbeds, or simply recline back and rum the day away. The evening is, unsurprisingly, a fiesta when DJ disco beats sound and bubbles pop. The pools are heated on both floors, so there’s no need to check the weather before packing a swimsuit.

Jacy'z pool with people in and around it
The rooftop pool is one of the city’s most happening places

The JQ Special

The style of Jacy’z rooms is a bit of a contrast to the flashy entertainment spaces. Think soft textiles, muted pastels, and big fluffy pillows. We checked into a JQ Medium, which was situated on floor 18. The JQ rooms are a bit like the exec club rooms but with more emphasis on play rather than work. Here, in the hotel within a hotel, JQ guests check in on the 17th floor instead of the lobby. A speakeasy bar behind large brass doors is where your keys are collected to a JQ supreme here or the floor above.

Our medium had a glitzy feel, perhaps more so than the standard rooms. If we were to describe it by way of hotels, we’d say it’s the Edition group meets a Bangkok Banyan Tree meets an independent boutique hotel. Think sixties Vegas luxe and modern-day soothers.

Jacy'z hotel room with bed and sofas next to floor to ceiling windows
Get comfy beside glorious city views

What makes it pop? It’s the views, and in our lounge area sat comfy sofas and armchairs next to floor-to-ceiling views of Gothenburg’s glittering lights. It’s the tech, which includes smart TV and strong Wi-Fi if you do need to do a little business. And it’s the easy access to the social spots, some of the most popular in town, and a key hotel selling point.

To wind down for the night, JQ’s bathroom is stocked with LuLu Belle. There was no bathtub, and admittedly the bathroom was on the smaller side, but you’ve got the pool so there are no tears to cry, folks. The king-sized was deep and soft for a quality drift-off—and couples, take note that in many Scandi hotels, you’ll have separate duvets (and thus, never fight for the covers). Whatever was happening outside, we slept undisturbed the night before departure and can only assume that it was because the walls were soundproofed. That and the building is extremely high.

Food and drink

Jacy’z has three restaurants. The largest is Archie’s, which serves American classics like mac ‘n’ cheese with truffles and big juicy burgers. If you want to keep the weekend Vegas slash MIA-festive, then this should do the trick. There’s Gaby’s too, a casual lunch eatery with a variety of plates from around the world. Think comfort foods like meatballs in gravy with mashed potatoes or mozzarella-covered arrabbiata.

A selection of dishes from Jacy'z Gogogaga restaurant
GOGOGAGA at floor 26

We liked Gogogaga, which is Jacy’z Asian Sky Bar and social dinner club. For dinner, we had homemade kimchi, GOGO’s fried chicken, and a deliciously grilled Yakitori. Don’t expect authentic Asian cuisine though, but more, an inspiration of Asian cultures in their own unique style. Pair that with views and you have a winning experience. Gogogaga’s views are sublime, perched high up on floor 26. 

You can get two perspectives of the view from this restaurant because breakfast is served here too. The classics like coffee, freshly baked bread, eggs, and fruit, are interestingly accompanied by flavors from Korea, Thailand, and Japan. When we dined, the breakfast special was okonomiyaki. Again, it doesn’t taste like the okonomiyaki like you get in Osaka, but rather, it’s a Gothenburg twist. So set those expectations.

More fun

Jacy’z being a resort means there’s more to keep you entertained. We spied a cinema, a golf simulator, and a game area. There was also a gym (which we passed on using because pool laps will do). It’s definitely most about drinking and dining, as that is what locals seem to come for.

People sitting around the pool
There’s plenty to do but we’ll keep on coming back to the pool club

Things to do in the area

With limited time in Gothenburg and so much to do within Jacy’z, we’ll admit we didn’t do the most outside exploring. It being December, there was no way we could miss being festive at Liseberg. The amusement park opened in 1923 and is one of the most visited in all of Scandinavia. As well as the rides, within it there are Christmas market stalls, an ice rink, and a chance to meet Santa. Think Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park but with snow in Gothenburg.

Liseberg Christmas theme park lit up at nighttime with a tree
Magical Liseberg, Gothenburg. Photo courtesy Liseberg

Packing Tips: Outdoor temperatures when we were here in December hovered around zero and minus degrees, so bring your thickest gear and invest in an electric hand warmer.  We recommend an insulated and waterproof jacket from outdoor specialists such as REI Co-op. We also brought the genius Lifesystems Rechargeable Handwarmer to make the chill more bearable, and the Lifeventure Trek Umbrella is another winter hack to stay dry even during strong gusts of wind. Click here for more of The Hotel Journal team’s helpful travel product recommendations.

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