The Best Places to Stay in Stockholm
Heading to Stockholm on business? These hotels are our top picks. By Michelle Margherita.
Historic
Grand Hôtel
Living up to its name, this five-star hotel, set over four buildings on the waterfront in the city centre, is a triumph of old-world opulence – think gloved doormen and rooms fit for a palace. Built in 1874, its 273 rooms are spacious and high-ceilinged, with modern décor in ice-cool shades of white and grey, plus elegant marble bathrooms. A national treasure where the first Nobel Prize banquet was held, the Grand is a truly deluxe experience.
Business facilities There’s a spacious business centre above the lobby and 24 conference and event rooms. The gilded Spegelsalen ballroom, built in 1899, is a standout.
Wi-fi Fast and complimentary.
Food and drink Sweden’s most celebrated chef, Mathias Dahlgren, helms the Grand’s two first-rate restaurants: Matbaren, a casual, modern bistro with a menu that changes daily; and Rutabaga, Dahlgren’s new Scandi-cool set-menu vegetarian restaurant. The Cadier Bar is a sumptuous space that’s perfect for sipping cocktails and spirits.
Fitness and wellbeing The spacious gym has a lovely view and the luxurious Nordic spa, rated one of the best in Sweden, has a sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool.
Run route For a nine-kilometre run, head along Strandvägen and over Djurgårdsbron onto Djurgården island, where you can run around the Kungliga Djurgården parklands and back to the hotel.
Coffee nearby It’s a short walk through the Kungsträdgården to Wienercaféet (Biblioteksgatan 6), a regal old-style café. Try the espresso with Valrhona chocolate.
Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8
New
At Six
This shiny new hotel, built in early 2017 behind a 1970s Brutalist façade, has breathed new life into a previously unloved corner of the city. Part of Norwegian business tycoon Petter Stordalen’s portfolio of hotels, At Six buzzes with hip locals and smartly dressed guests in its cocktail bars and restaurant. Forgoing Scandi minimalism, rooms here are dark and luxe with chocolate-brown and charcoal interiors and marble bathrooms with brass fittings. The little in-room DIY cocktail kits with recipe cards are a fun touch.
Business facilities There are nine high-tech meeting and conference rooms and a podcasting studio.
Wi-fi Fast and complimentary.
Food and drink Executive chef Andreas Askling has created an exciting fine-dining menu of international flavours with a Swedish touch; the Vietnamese chicken with octopus dumplings and the blackened reindeer with truffle pecorino are favourites. Hosoi, the tucked-away DJ lounge, is worth discovering.
Fitness and wellbeing Although tricky to find, the wood-panelled state-of-the-art gym is topnotch. Seek out the saunas hidden in the marble changing rooms.
Run route For a 4.5-kilometre run, head down Malmtorgsgatan, along the riverfront and over Skeppsholmsbron then around the edge of Skeppsholmen island. Cross the bridge to Kastellholmen, run the periphery then go back the way you came.
Coffee nearby Five minutes away is Vete-Katten (Kungsgatan 55), a classic Stockholm café with great coffee and cakes. Watch the bakers make fragrant cinnamon buns while you wait.
Brunkebergstorg 6
Contemporary
Hotel Skeppsholmen
Constructed in 1699 with materials collected from ruined palaces, this former military barracks is now a quietly modern hotel in the centre of Stockholm on the pretty island of Skeppsholmen. Repurposed in 2009, it’s a charming blend of contemporary interiors and heritage features. The spacious guestrooms are sparse and minimalist, with designer furnishings and deluxe Byredo bathroom products. Warm and welcoming in an unrivalled location, it’s also the perfect holiday-in-the-city hotel.
Business facilities There’s a tiny desk with a computer available to guests as well as eight conference rooms.
Wi-fi Fast and complimentary.
Food and drink Head chef Magnus Johansson creates modern versions of traditional Swedish dishes at the Långa Raden (The Long Row) restaurant using local, seasonal ingredients; try the shrimp sandwich with boiled egg and red onion. And don’t miss breakfast – sit near the windows for spectacular views.
Fitness and wellbeing There’s a small gym with weights and two cardio machines but hotel guests can visit Balance Training gym in the city for free.
Run route For a 4.7-kilometre run, go over the Skeppsholmsbron, past the waterfront hotels and over the Strömbron to Gamla Stan, where you can run the periphery of the island then back to the Skeppsholmen.
Coffee nearby There’s nowhere to get coffee on the island until lunchtime but there are takeaway cups at the hotel’s breakfast buffet for caffeine to go.
Gröna gången 1
Boutique
Ett Hem
Ett Hem (“a home”) is the kind of hotel you wish you lived in. This small 12-room townhouse in the quiet Embassy district on the edge of the city is the perfect combination of modern Swedish interiors and design classics. Built in 1910 and opened as a hotel in 2012, it’s a cosy retreat with roaring fires, stacks of design magazines, a vinyl record collection and turntable, comfy sofas everywhere and a leafy greenhouse you’ll never want to leave. The rooms are bright and spacious and the service is exceptional. The coolest home away from home.
Business facilities There aren’t any but the library can be booked for meetings.
Wi-fi Fast and complimentary.
Food and drink The chefs prepare new dishes daily and guests can sit anywhere in the house to eat. An honesty bar means that you can mix your own drinks whenever you like.
Fitness and wellbeing The tiny basement gym (open 24/7) has cardio machines and a weights corner but the Swedish sauna and enormous hot hammam stone are the star attractions.
Run route For routes of three, five or 10 kilometres, cross the Valhallavägen close to the hotel and enter the Lill-Jansskogen forest to go for a run.
Coffee nearby Walk 10 minutes down Odengatan to Café Pom & Flora (Odengatan 39), a hip spot that serves great double espressos and lattes with oat or almond milk and has healthy food options.
Sköldungagatan 2
Top image: At Six
SEE ALSO: A 'Short-on-Time' Guide to Stockholm
