The capital city of Stockholm has much to offer; stunning sights, gastronomic delights, and best of all, a laid-back and relaxed lifestyle. The high quality of life in Stockholm is mirrored in the satisfaction of its residents and its stylish hotels. The hotels featured in this list combine aesthetics and hospitality and have the quintessential Swedish finesse to satisfy even the most demanding customer.
Owned by ABBA’s Benny Andersson, Hotel Rival is housed in a former cinema – which is still in full use. The hotel’s interiors are fashioned in a trendy Art Deco style, with iconic movie stills, Polaroids, and a bold-but-unobtrusive color palette. With large, comfortable rooms looking out over Stockholm’s colorful rooftops in the trendy district of Södermalm, Rival is classy and contemporary. It’s a popular choice for those who wish to stay at a boutique hotel.
Established in 1470, this vintage hotel is filled with quaint antiques, nooks and crannies, and charming finishing touches. The hotel is named after Lord Nelson’s mistress, Lady Emma Hamilton. To pay tribute to this maritime hero, many of the antiques and collectives are nautical themed. The rooms at Lady Hamilton have a similar feel to them as well, with blue and sandy color schemes, grandfather clocks, and cabin-like showers. There are also a variety of apartments available to rent.
Housed in an old building, Browallshof has been recently renovated. The rooms are furnished with grand, historic-looking beds and colorful wallpapers. They are well-lit and tastefully decorated. Breakfast is inclusive and is always held in high regard by the guests of the hotel, and the restaurant is quite popular with the locals and offers food featuring organic and locally-produced ingredients.
Self-described as a “modern designer hotel”, Hotel Birger Jarl has been designed and created by the leading architects of Sweden and its sleek interiors reflect this. The lobby features exhibitions by contemporary artists, and these change frequently. There are various kinds of rooms on offer – if you book a Standard or a Superior room, breakfast is included.
Ett Hem, meaning “At Home” in Swedish, lives up to its name. It’s a 1910 Arts and Crafts townhouse that was redesigned by the owner, Jeanette Mix, and interior designer Ilse Crawford. With plush, comfortable furnishings and eclectic decor, Ett Hem is the very picture of Swedish hospitality. The decor mixes vintage and contemporary materials and places internationally-acclaimed work beside sleek Scandinavian classics to create a sense of refinement. The atmosphere is welcoming and casual; you’re invited to have your meal where you please, take the dog for a walk, and make yourself fully at home.
One of Stockholm’s prize novelties is the Boeing airplane, which in the case of Jumbo Stay, also doubles up as a hotel and a hostel. There are a few private rooms accommodating a small number of people, as well as a dormitory option and shared toilet and shower facilities. Located at the entrance to Arlanda airport, this is an easily accessible airport hotel, and among the best options for those who are only in town for a stop-over.
Defining urban chic in a bohemian, casual manner is the Story Hotel, one of Stockholm’s coolest hotels, conveniently located right off one of the most stylish shopping streets in the city. With doors as headboards, efficient self check-in systems and rooms that feel remarkably cozy given the concrete walls, the Story Hotel offers a number of unusual design surprises. The room price includes a breakfast buffet, served in the beautiful restaurant.
Right in the middle of Stockholm’s picturesque Old Town, known as Gamla Stan, is this lovely nautical-themed hotel. A sister hotel to the aforementioned Lady Hamilton, the Victory Hotel is named after a famous ship, and the rooms within are named after famous Swedish captains. The hotel in itself is a historical landmark, with medieval Swedish ruins in its wonderful wine cellar and also having been where Sweden’s largest lost treasure was discovered.
With a focus on lightness and simplicity, Nordic Light conveys a sense of ease and comfort that particularly appeals to business travelers. There’s an emphasis on the different aspects of light in the hotel, ranging from light-and-sound shows to light therapy in the bedrooms and the conference rooms. The location of Nordic Light is right in the center of Stockholm and is easily accessible from both Arlanda and the Grand Central Station.
The grandest and the most central of all hotels, the magnificent Grand Hotel lives up to its name. Just a few minutes’ walk away from various museums and Gamla Stan, with some of the finest views in Stockholm from its rooms, it offers a stay like no other. It has a luxurious appeal, showcasing opulent rooms such as the Hall of Mirrors and even the ornate lunch room. The restaurants serve incredible gastronomic delights courtesy of the famous Swedish chef, Mathias Dahlgren, and hold Michelin stars. There’s a wide variety of rooms and suites available, the most luxurious of these, the Princess Lilian Suite, includes a library and a private cinema.
