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.
Neighbourhood
Norrmalm 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.
Nearby
1. Sturebadet: For a pampering spa day at a facility that dates back to 1885.
2. The Vasamuseet: For maritime history including the world’s only surviving 17th-century ship.
3. Diplomat Tea House: For a classic afternoon tea with gluten and lactose-free variations.
Time Out tip
Ask to stay in Marlene Dietrich’s dressing room or the Hugo Berns suite, where many historical details have been preserved, including the 19th-century stove.