by Angela Fairhurst
When in Stockholm, the classic choice of stay is The Grand Hôtel Stockholm, the only Swedish member of Leading Hotels of the World. Situated in an optimal waterfront location, the hotel is located next to the National Museum and opposite the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan, the Old Town.
It was founded by Frenchman, Jean-François Régis Cadier, and opened in 1874, at the same time as the Grand Hotel Oslo. All the Scandinavian capitals have a major hotel called ‘Grand Hotel’. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize laureates and their families have traditionally been guests at the hotel, as well as several celebrities and world leaders.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Grand Hôtel Stockholm has 273 rooms and 70 suites spread across three different buildings. The rooms are classic in style, including wooden fishbone floors, marble stone bathrooms and a light color palette throughout.
Even the smallest details are of highest quality, including Acqua di Parma toiletries, a connected music system, luxurious bedding, towels, bathrobes and beautiful flower arrangements from the in-house florist. When it comes to the decor, each floor varies depending on the interior architect, adding a personal element to this classic luxury hotel. It’s hard to pick a favorite since they are all so unique.
FOOD & DRINK
The restaurant Mathias Dahlgren offers two different dining experiences; Matbaren (The Food Bar) is one Michelin-star informal modern bistro a bar. Rutabaga, opened in 2017, has lacto-ovo-vegetarian cuisine in a laid-back environment. The Veranda restaurant cuisine is both Swedish and international, and the only Swedish restaurant to serve tradition Smörgåsbord all year round. In summer months, The Terrace serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Grand Hôtel has built up an award-winning wine cellar housing over 20,000 bottles, including a selection from 1874, the year the hotel opened. The Cadier Bar, named after the hotel’s founder has an extensive cocktail menu with award-winning drinks and bartenders, and afternoon tea with a Swedish twist which draws locals and hotel guests alike,
SPA
The Grand Hôtel Nordic Spa & Fitness is inspired by its proximity to the sea and the history and landscape of the Swedish archipelagos. With a holy tree of Norse mythology, and a well of wisdom, the palette is of granite, Nordic ash, creams and whites. The massages are individual one-of-a-kind treatments that adapt a guests’ needs rather than simply following a formula.
