SÖDRA BLASIEHOLMSHAMNEN 8 | P.O. BOX 164 24 | SE 103 27 STOCKHOLM | SWEDEN
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A young gentleman sits thoughtfully on the sofa, the arm of his spectacles resting between his lips, only a few metres away from me. On the table before him, steam rises from a freshly served coffee in a perfect, slender column, releasing the rich aroma of newly roasted beans into the air — a scent that mingles delicately with the sweet note of the little pastries placed beside it.
Through the generous expanse of windows, our gaze takes in one of the city’s most beautiful scenes: the Royal Palace of Stockholm. While the guards perform their ceremonial changing of the watch before the palace walls, one may sit back, almost as though in an honorary box, on elegant sofas, with the resonant strains of piano music drifting softly in the background.

The Cadier Bar, here at the legendary Grand Hôtel Stockholm, is among my personal favourite places in Europe. A stuccoed ceiling presides over the elegant bar salon, whose polished wood panelling, dark marble counter and inviting seating arrangements make it the hotel’s natural stage for encounters. This is where Stockholm society gathers — before, during or after a meeting, following a shopping excursion, or for an aperitif before dinner.
It is a glorious place, one in which I could spend hours observing the fascinating ebb and flow of guests. No film could be more captivating; no textbook more revealing.

Join us on a journey to Sweden and enjoy our impressions of one of Europe’s leading hotels. Allow yourself to be enchanted by the warm hospitality of this remarkable house and inspired to plan a stay at Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Perhaps, before long, you too will find yourself seated in the Cadier Bar. Should that be the case, think of me — and savour everything you see.

I wish you a most pleasant stay.

Warmly yours,

Martin V. Sampedrano Gonzalez
Editor

Stockholm’s Grand Hôtel Since 1866

Stockholm is not only the capital of Sweden; it is also the very embodiment of refinement, style and northern elegance. Celebrated for its rich history, splendid architecture, highly innovative design and fashion scene, and its incomparable waterside setting, the city draws millions of visitors from around the world each year.
At the heart of this metropolis stands what is arguably the country’s most storied residence: Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Built in 1874 and conceived from the beginning as a luxury hotel, the property has long shaped the distinguished district of Blasieholmen, offering discerning guests and gourmands alike an institution in which true excellence may be experienced.
Following the Stockholm Exhibition — Sweden’s first international exhibition of art and industry, held in 1866 — those responsible for the capital came to realise that the city’s hotel capacity was plainly insufficient. It was for this reason that Jean-François Régis Cadier, a Frenchman then living in Sweden, was commissioned to create a representative hotel of unprecedented elegance.
At his side was the architect Axel Kumlien, who would help bring this ambitious vision to life in time for the hotel’s opening in the early summer of 1874.

Grand Hôtel Stockholm was later expanded with the addition of the Bolinderska Palace in 1889 and a further extension in 1909. Today, Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8 ranks among the most distinguished addresses in Scandinavia — a destination for discerning connoisseurs who wish to experience Stockholm from the very front row.
That is precisely why we are here. For where, if not at Grand Hôtel Stockholm — the storied residence that year after year welcomes crowned heads, leading figures from politics, entertainment and business, as well as Nobel Prize candidates — could one reside more fittingly in the Swedish capital?
Its location is unlike any other in the city. The view, the proximity to the Old Town of Gamla Stan just across the water, and the hotel’s central position make it the ideal starting point for excursions, appointments and discoveries throughout Stockholm. Those who also appreciate the impeccable service of a true grand hotel will feel especially at home here.

Rooms and Suites

In the early morning, the first seagulls trace their circles above Stockholm’s waters. While the operators of the many excursion boats moored at the quays in front of the Grand Hôtel are already preparing for the day ahead, the hotel’s unseen good spirits are at work in Restaurant Veranda, creating a generous and delicious Swedish breakfast buffet.
A few floors above, meanwhile, the first guests begin to wake in the exceptionally comfortable beds that make Grand Hôtel Stockholm one of the finest places in the world to sleep. With views across the impressive scenery surrounding the Royal Palace, the day begins in an atmosphere of calm anticipation — and with the promise of a beautifully balanced breakfast to come.

A total of 330 elegant rooms and luxurious suites provide the perfect setting for a stay of exceptional distinction. Elegant design, beautifully balanced colour compositions and high-quality furnishings create a harmonious ambience within one’s private home away from home.
All accommodation is presented in a consistently elegant, classical style that remains true to the hotel’s traditional character, even as subtle modern influences lend it contemporary ease. Alongside generous layouts, supremely comfortable beds, modern workspaces, designer bathrooms and personal safes, guests enjoy a complimentary entertainment system offering a selection of music, sport, news, films and radio. High-speed internet access, available via broadband or Wi-Fi, is also provided throughout the hotel at no additional charge.
Particular luxury is found in the hotel’s elegant themed suites. Foremost among them, the Princess Lilian Suite embodies a level of exclusivity worthy of royalty. Extending across some 330 square metres, and named after the late Princess Lilian of Sweden, the suite offers two elegant bedrooms, a spacious salon, a library, a kitchen, a wellness area and a private cinema accommodating up to 12 guests.
From its two balconies, the view opens onto the Royal Palace opposite and across further parts of the Swedish capital. Additional privileges include a private bar and complimentary access to the hotel’s own limousine fleet.


Gourmet Cuisine

Those wishing to begin their stay in the Swedish capital with a beautifully balanced breakfast should make a point of reserving a table at Restaurant Veranda. Designed in the style of a generous winter garden, the restaurant is separated only by a street from the quays where numerous sightseeing boats arrive and depart throughout the day.
The view of the Royal Palace is impressive, making a seat by the expansive windows particularly desirable. The buffet is arranged in an adjoining room and offers almost everything one could wish for to begin the day in culinary style. The freshly brewed coffee is robust, aromatic and wonderfully awakening.
Yet Restaurant Veranda is not only a delightful address for breakfast. At lunch and dinner, too, its elegant atmosphere invites guests to linger and enjoy. The attentive service of the exceptionally warm and friendly staff is nothing short of sensational.

Mathias Dahlgren is one of the great luminaries of Swedish gastronomy. With his restaurant concept, he transformed Stockholm’s culinary scene as it had previously been known, placing innovation and courage at the heart of his work from the outset.
With Matbaren — literally, «the food bar»— he created his own address within the heart of Grand Hôtel. It is both a contemporary bistro and an informal restaurant entirely attuned to the present moment. Guests may enjoy one or several medium-sized dishes, accompanied by a glass of wine, either at a table or at the generous counter. The dishes on the daily changing menu are based on the finest fresh seasonal produce.

With Seafood Gastro, Mathias Dahlgren offers a gastronomic journey of discovery: a tasting menu composed of outstanding ingredients drawn from the waters and shores. Fish, shellfish, seaweed, coastal plants and other delicacies that live in, by or upon the water come together in an experience that is as refined as it is memorable.
The elegant Cadier Bar, incidentally, is named after the founder of Grand Hôtel, Monsieur Jean-François Régis Cadier. A visit here belongs among the city’s top ten experiences. Those who wish not merely to see Stockholm, but to feel its social pulse, should reserve a table in good time. For hotel guests, access is, of course, available at any time.

Nordic Spa & Fitness

A true oasis for body, mind and soul reveals itself to guests of Grand Hôtel upon entering Nordic Spa & Fitness.
To let the soul drift, to grant the body rest and renewal — all of this is possible here, in an elegant setting reminiscent of a refined grotto landscape. Whether savouring the soothing aromas of Swedish beechwood during a sauna ritual, swimming laps in the generous pool area, or surrendering to the skilled hands of the hotel’s spa therapists during a restorative massage, the experience is one to be deeply enjoyed.
A classic Swedish massage should, quite simply, not be missed during a stay in Sweden. Your body will thank you for it.
Alongside cosy bathrobes and fragrant towels, the relaxation area — designed in the spirit of a Swedish log house — offers comfortable loungers dressed with soft blankets and cushions. Here, accompanied by gentle lounge music, guests may unwind completely and leave the stresses of everyday life far behind.

A Lasting Impression

A stay at Stockholm’s Grand Hôtel possesses a very particular magic, transforming a visit to the Swedish capital into an experience not easily forgotten. Its position directly opposite the Royal Palace is almost without equal. What unfolds behind the palace façade, I cannot say — though the performance staged at Grand Hôtel is, naturally, far more captivating.
Here, much is offered: a classically elegant interior, an international clientele, a celebrated chef whose sensitivity and finesse delight at every turn, and service that is perfect, unhurried and unfailingly courteous. Add to this what are, for me, the most comfortable beds in Sweden, and a spa that invites complete relaxation, and the result is a hotel experience of rare distinction.
Perfect — and warmly recommended. I shall be very happy to return.

Tusen tack!

Photography:  Grand Hôtel Stockholm