Barbara Balfour

These days, hotel marketing often seems obsessed with making you feel at home. But for me, much of the magic of checking into a hotel is about getting away from home. The fact that it doesn’t feel like home is precisely the point. Room service at your fingertips, beautiful designer furniture and a generous breakfast buffet. Crisp, freshly laundered sheets, everything perfectly in place and fragrant cut flowers on the table, all without having to lift a finger. Then there’s the excitement of discovering somewhere new, soaking up fresh impressions and spending a few days getting to know a new neighbourhood, city or part of town. For a capital that likes to see itself in the same league as Paris, London and New York, a little delusion of grandeur never hurt anyone, Stockholm has a hotel scene that genuinely delivers. Sure, you won’t get the kind of lavish service where hotel staff jump at your every whim. That’s simply not the Swedish way, with our flat hierarchies and strong egalitarian tradition. But that said, Stockholm leaves little to be desired. And we do take our design and morning coffee seriously. There are the grand old luxury hotels with front-row seats on the waterfront in Norrmalm and Östermalm, the sleek modern hotels around Brunkebergstorg, charming boutique stays tucked into the wonky corners and quirky spaces of Vasastan, and new openings on Södermalm where the food is given just as much attention as the rooms. Time Out has combed through Stockholm’s hotel scene

Whether you’re an urban explorer or outdoor aficionado, this is your ultimate basecamp.  Borrow a bike for a spontaneous tour of Gamla Stan’s picturesque cobblestoned streets. Or stay in—the hotel’s playful, nature-inspired interior energizes the many communal spaces in this property. You can lounge in a hammock, partake in a  social happy hour or attend a film screening, breath work or yoga class. There is a games-room on every floor, a 25-seat theatre and a rooftop wellness oasis with an outdoor pool heated year-round, plus a sauna, juice and cocktail bar and panoramic views of the town. Some rooms feature connecting doors to neighbouring suites; all are spacious, family- and pet-friendly, boasting free Wi-Fi, high-definition televisions, bunkbeds or sofa beds and window seats with extensive views of the city. An hearty breakfast, included in the daily rate, is filled with superfoods and alternatives to accommodate the most restrictive of diets. NeighbourhoodNorrmalm is Stockholm’s busiest neighborhood, home to the main shopping street, Mood Stockholm shopping mall and famous icons such as the Old Haymarket and the Sergels Torg glass obelisk. It is minutes away from Gamla Stan, and the waterfront area of Strömkajen, from where majority of archipelago boat tours depart. Nearby1. Nordiska Kompaniet (NK): For upscale shopping and souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else2. Opera House (Operan): For excellent opera and ballet performances3. Hötorgshallen: For steak sandwiches and

Oavsett om du är en stadsutforskare eller en friluftsentusiast är det här ditt ultimata basläger. Låna en cykel för en spontan tur längs Gamla Stans natursköna kullerstensgator. Eller stanna kvar inne – hotellets lekfulla, naturinspirerade inredning ger energi till fastighetens många gemensamma utrymmen. Du kan koppla av i en hängmatta, delta i en social happy hour eller gå på filmvisning, andningsträning eller en yogaklass. Det finns ett spelrum på varje våningsplan, en biosalong med 25 platser och en wellnessoas på taket med en utomhuspool som är uppvärmd året runt, samt bastu, juice- och cocktailbar och panoramautsikt över staden. Vissa rum har anslutande dörrar till närliggande sviter; alla är rymliga, familje- och husdjursvänliga och erbjuder gratis Wi-Fi, HD-tv, våningssängar eller bäddsoffor samt fönsternischer med vidsträckt utsikt över staden. En stadig frukost ingår i dygnspriset och är fylld med superfoods och alternativ för att passa även de mest restriktiva dieterna. OmrådetNorrmalm är Stockholms mest pulserande stadsdel, hem för den främsta shoppinggatan, gallerian Mood Stockholm och kända landmärken som Hötorget och glasobelisken på Sergels Torg. Det ligger bara några minuter från Gamla Stan och kajområdet vid Strömkajen, varifrån de flesta skärgårdsbåtar avgår. I närhetenNordiska Kompaniet (NK): För exklusiv shopping och suvenirer du inte hittar någon annanstans.Operan: För utmärkta opera- och balettföreställningar.Hötorgshallen: För maffiga steak sandwichmack

Newly renovated rooms and suites showcase sleek Nordic design with a touch of hygge at the Nordic Light Hotel. Features include floor-to-ceiling windows, rainfall showers with full-sized toiletries and minibars with thoughtful touches like pantyhose, organic toothpaste and the most quintessential of Swedish souvenirs, the dala—a wooden horse painted red. Check out the hotel’s new 150-seat restaurant and bar opening in May 2018, offering sustainable Nordic cuisine cooked in an open kitchen and a healthy selection of vegetarian dishes. Their complimentary candle-lit organic breakfast, served amongst slouchy sofas and fluorescent patio furniture, rivals those to be had at five-star hotels in the city. A great stop for leisure travellers, too, the hotel is a pleasant stroll from the Royal Palace (one of the largest palaces in Europe), the Nordic Museum and Grona Lunda theme park. NeighbourhoodNorrmalm is Stockholm’s busiest neighborhood, home to the main shopping street, Mood Stockholm shopping mall and famous icons such as the Old Haymarket and the Sergels Torg glass obelisk. It is minutes away from Gamla Stan, and the waterfront area of Strömkajen, from where most boat tours depart. Nearby1. Icebar: For a frosty cocktail and a slice of the Arctic with a secret, chamber-like feel.2. Old Haymarket: For gourmet shopping, flea market finds and local produce such as elk and reindeer salami.3. Kulturhuset: For a one-stop culture shop filled with art, design, theatre and film exhibiti

Before the Lydmar was a member of the Small Luxury Hotel group, the building was home to the archives of the Swedish National Museum. It’s only fitting for its exquisitely decorated rooms, lobbies and hallways to serve as a showcase for rotating art and photography exhibitions. Never stuffy or overdone, the guest rooms feature period fireplaces, Nespresso machines, surround sound and the vibe of being in your best friend’s home (which just happens to be very expensive). In other words, you won’t be overly afraid to break anything, it’s comfortable enough to sprawl out as if in your own living room, and you’ll be breathlessly waiting to go back. Suites come with separate living room areas, a working desk and a guest bathroom; many offer harbour views that are especially breathtaking to wake up to. Each of the five floors features its own upscale lounge space which can be used to entertain guests or rented out for private functions. An outdoor second-floor terrace is a well-kept secret in the summers, serving lunch or cocktails over live music and occasional club events; a sprawling patio at the front of the hotel is ideal for sunset and people-watching. There’s also room service until 1 a.m. and an excellent breakfast included with your stay offers both buffet and a la carte options, while several Michelin-starred restaurants are right next door. NeighbourhoodNorrmalm is Stockholm’s busiest neighborhood, home to the main shopping street, Mood Stockholm shopping mall and famous

Owned by former ABBA band member Benny Andersson, Hotel Rival is filled with subtle tributes to the world-famous Swedish pop group. All 99 rooms are equipped with a state-of-the-art entertainment system, 32” plasma screen and access to a library of DVD movies and music by—who else?—ABBA. Plush red velvet sofas, movie and theatrical motifs and tastefully designed lighting give the property a vibe of something between cabaret fun and old school funk. Guests sleep on fine Egyptian linens and choose from a menu of pillows; a self-serve tea and coffee station with access to computers and printers comes in handy throughout the day. You don’t have to be a guest to enjoy the hotel’s three bars, which often feature live music, a historic cinema circa 1937 that hosts concerts and events, and a bustling café filled with Persian rugs. Sunday’s brunch buffet is one of the most popular in the city and deservedly so–though small by North American standards, you’ll taste the love in every bite.  NeighbourhoodWithin Södermalm, Mariatorget is a quiet residential neighbourhood filled with coffee shops, art galleries and bars. It’s home to one of Stockholm’s best viewpoints, Monteliusvägen, from where you can see panoramic views of the city hall and old town Nearby1. Kvarnen: For fans of Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy books, in which this 100-year-old bar is featured.2. Fotografiska: For enthusiasts of award-winning, contemporary photography.3. Johan & Nyström: For a caffeine hit at what cri

Here is where Edith Piaf sang, Marlene Dietrich had her own dressing room and Axl Rose once bit a security guard on the leg (losing his Converse hightops in the process, which the hotel gave away on Instagram 10 years later). More than just a place to lay your head at night, Hotel Berns is also home to an internationally renowned concert venue, for acts which have, over the decades, ranged from the Supremes to Rihanna. The hotel boasts a grand hall adorned with several tons’ worth of crystal chandeliers, popular cocktail bars, a French bistro and Stockholm’s very first Chinese restaurant—the baroque gilded Berns Asiatika, where dim sum is served amidst red velvet upholstered chairs and gold-plated mirrors. Many of the uniquely designed 82 guestrooms offer views of Berzelii Park or Nybroplan’s waterfront; guests can also expect such perks as Malin + Goetz toiletries, 24-hour room service and VIP, complementary access to the hotel’s in-house nightclub. There’s also a gym on the lower ground floor, but guests also get access to any SATS gym in the city and discounted spa services at the high-end Sturebadet.  NeighbourhoodNorrmalm is Stockholm’s busiest neighborhood, home to the main shopping street, Mood Stockholm shopping mall and famous icons such as the Old Haymarket and the Sergels Torg glass obelisk. It is minutes away from Gamla Stan, and the waterfront area of Strömkajen, from where most boat tours depart. Nearby1. Sturebadet: For a pampering spa day at a facility that da

Ideal for a staycation or soaking in the New York vibe without having to go all the way there, The Winery Hotel allows guests to follow the winemaking process from barrel to bottle. Sink into comfy leather chairs for a relaxed tasting at the bar or enjoy panoramic views—glass of the hotel’s own wine in hand—from the rooftop terrace’s heated pool. All 184 guest rooms share an industrial factory-like feel with exposed brick walls, high ceilings and windows and brass accents; standard, superior and deluxe configurations are available, and all include complimentary breakfast. Packages include guided tours of the on-site winery, tastings and multiple-course dinners; daily activities planned by the hotel’s expert sommeliers could involve learning how to open a champagne bottle with a saber or indulging in a kundalini yoga and wine session. The on-site restaurant and deli sources local, seasonal ingredients, while the fitness centre could come in handy later for working off all the (liquid) calories. NeighbourhoodLocated just outside of Stockholm, near the Arlanda airport, Solna is home to Sweden’s new football stadium–Friends Arena–as well as the largest shopping centre in all of Scandinavia. Nearby1. Mall of Scandinavia: To shop while you drop in the largest shopping centre in Scandinavia.2. Swedish Museum of Natural History: For rainy-day, family-friendly learning activities.3. Hagaparken: For a leisurely lakeside stroll. Time Out tipBook a room above the third floor for views of

Before it became the only hotel on the island, Skeppsholmen enjoyed past lives as a hospital, a temporary prison and the Royal naval barracks for officers of the Swedish king. Despite their more than 300 years of history–and structural changes not being allowed during renovations–the 81 guest rooms are in excellent shape. Sleek, modern furnishings and rustic décor are juxtaposed next to tributes in the form of a plaque in every room that conveys important historical details relevant to each space. Guests may practice their serve on Sweden’s first outdoor tennis court (built in 1882), swim in the harbour or sunbathe on the waterfront terrace, from which direct views of the old town, Djurgården, and Södermalm can be enjoyed. At the hotel’s restaurant, Långa Råden, locally-sourced seasonal ingredients include honey from the property’s multiple beehives as well as the offerings of the garden’s elderflower and apple trees. Don’t miss the homemade Pilsner sausages and mustard, or the local beers and spirits. Complimentary breakfast comes with in-house baked bread. There’s also a mini-gym onsite, but you might as well get your exercise by walking to any of the numerous museums in the immediate vicinity. NeighbourhoodSkeppsholmen is Stockholm’s smallest and greenest island, also known as the Island of Museums. It’s home to the Museum of Modern Art, the architectural museum and Östasiatiska Muséet (East-Asian museum) as well as the site of the popular summer event, Stockholm Jazz Fest

Unlike its namesake, who was a statesman, founder of Stockholm and important figure in Swedish history, the Birger Jarl Hotel isn’t stately. But this centrally located, comfortable gem does provide great value for money in one of the most expensive cities in the world. A range of accommodation options include a choice of recently refurbished suites, junior suites and studios from among 271 guest rooms. Some include kitchenettes for extended stays; while all have either a bathtub or shower, suites feature both, as well as multiple TVs. Powerful showers, comfortable armchairs and minibars, tea/coffee machines and modern lighting and décor are features of every individually designed room. Pets are welcome for an additional charge; there’s also parking, free Wifi, and a breakfast buffet offering Swedish staples such as meatballs and mustard herring, a make-your-own-waffle station and gluten free/lactose-free alternatives. While the location ensures you’re already well-connected to shopping, restaurants and other points of interest, you won’t want to miss the AfterWork jazz evenings held every Wednesday in the lobby bar. NeighbourhoodA bustling neighbourhood in north-central Stockholm, Vasastan is home to most of the city’s second-hand record shops, ethnic restaurants and points of interest such as the old Stockholm Observatory, the Jewish Museum and the home of world-famous children's author and creator of Pippi Longstocking, Astrid Lindgren.  Nearby1. A Bit of the Old Touch: For

Music lovers might particularly appreciate the Pop Hotel’s shared entrance with the Abba Museum, or the fact that one of its owners is former band member Bjorn Ulvaeus. Opened in 2013, the hotel’s 49 rooms, brightly decorated with accents of purple and lime green, are filled with light thanks to panoramic sliding windows. Guests are offered a choice between twin, queen or king-sized beds, which along with linens and toiletries are locally made by eco-friendly Swedish companies. All rooms are equipped with amenities such as bathrobes, hairdryers, 42-inch flat-screen TVs and safes (large enough to fit a laptop), as well as a terrace. There’s also a small gym and an elegant restaurant. Only a five-minute tram ride from downtown, the hotel is located right by Gröna Lund amusement park, the Swedish Music Hall of Fame and Skansen, one of the world’s oldest museums. NeighbourhoodA tranquil parkland oasis in the centre of Stockholm, Djurgården is home to some of Sweden’s most popular museum sites such as the open-air Skansen, historical buildings and recreational green spaces. Nearby1. Gröna Lund: For scary rides and family fun at Sweden’s oldest amusement park.2. Skansen Museum: For a tour of five centuries of Swedish history.3. Skroten Cafe och skeppshandel: For a delicious nautical-themed lunch in an old shipyard. Time Out tipBook the Mamma Mia suite to sleep under a canopy of leaves and a painted sky blue ceiling. Better yet, book a ticket to the Mamma Mia party for an unforgetta