In short… A 19th century almshouse turned 32-key hotel with warm service, excellent food, plus a serene sauna and cold plunge in the heart of Stockholm’s Södermalm district.
The surroundings… The grand, restored historic building is on Björngårdsgatan 23 and while the residential street itself is quiet, Stockholm Stadshotell’s location offers guests walkable access to Södermalm’s glut of vintage shops, bookstores, restaurants, and cafés. A few personal favorites include Drop Coffee, the English bookshop Nord Books with its curated focus on fiction, poetry, art and essays from primarily small presses, and Svedjan Bageri for fika.
The vibe… Built in the 1870s, the three-story, double-winged property was commissioned by Queen Josefina of Sweden and Norway in memory of King Oscar I. Designed by architect Per Ulrik Stenhammar, it operated as a charitable home for women until the 1950s. In 2025, following years of renovation, the stately doors opened yet again as Stockholm Stadshotell. Many of the original details in the building have been preserved including the entry’s limestone floor, the large vaulted windows and the granite spiral staircases. The hotel’s design philosophy draws inspiration from the Arts & Crafts movement of the 1870s and was crafted in close collaboration with architects, artists, interior designers and creatives. The end result strikes an elegant balance between its regal 19th century roots and contemporary design.
The rooms… There are 32 individually designed rooms and suites spread across the long corridors of the building’s two wings and categories range from cozy, double and deluxe rooms to studio, corner and penthouse suites. The palette throughout is muted with a focus on natural materials including Swedish pine floors and Ekeberg marble. There is custom furniture from the Swedish brand Tre Sekel and the (very comfortable) DUX beds are clothed in custom linens by Italian-based Liv Casas. The chic wireless speakers are by Stockholm-based Teenage Engineering and bespoke bathroom toiletries are a collaboration with the Swedish perfumery Stora Skuggan (if you love them, you can also buy them to take home). Throughout the rooms and the whole of the property, there are artful stacks and shelves of books and magazines to read at your leisure, leaning the feel of the stay closer to a home rather than a standard hotel. Children are welcome (baby cots are available) and there are also pet-friendly rooms on offer (with dog bed and bowls) should you want to bring the entire family.
We arrived to a bottle of Sélèque Solessense Champagne already chilling in our room and ready to be poured into glasses by Swedish glassware company Bobo. (Be sure to plot a visit to their store while you’re in town—the wine glasses are the kind of fine that makes anything you pour inside them taste a bit better and the cocktail glasses are equally stunning.)
The minibar-meets-kitchenette in my room was thoughtfully stocked with all the items one might need during a stay: a kettle, French press, coffee grounds and loose leaf tea for mornings, a curated selection of spirits for a pre-dinner apéro or evening nightcap and bags of Swedish candies from the Malmö-based confectionary company Kolsvart. I highly recommend drawing a bath after a night out and snacking on a bag of their Sur Röding (sour raspberry fish). There was also a bowl of citrus—should you need a slice or squeeze for drinks—alongside a cutting board and knife and a note to call down if you need more.
The wellness… Definitely book an hour in the hotel’s tranquil sauna and cold plunge on the basement level. There is a shower and private rest area with products to freshen up afterward. Massages can be arranged on request and, while there is no gym on site, if you’re looking for an active moment (and don’t want to head for a brisk walk or run in, say, the nearby Tantolunden Park) ask the team and they will give you access to one nearby.
The food & drink… With the tagline “a house where you can eat and sleep,” it is little surprise that the team of five founders behind the hotel have ties to some of Stockholm’s favorite restaurants, including Café Nizza, Babette and Schmaltz. Under the direction of Head Chef Olle T. Cellton (who is also behind Babette), breakfast to dinner as well as brunch on weekends is served in the ground floor bistro just behind the lobby entrance. The space is relaxed and comfortable with a seasonal à la carte menu, custom seating and plenty of natural light pouring through the arched windows… on sunny days, at least. Sitting down to breakfast one morning, the atmosphere was lively: locals meeting for brunch, fellow guests enjoying a coffee before heading out to explore the city, the team dropping plates of äggröra (scrambled eggs), havregrynsgröt med äppelmos (oat porridge with apple butter), and Kung Oscars tårta (King Oscar cake) on the surrounding tables.
Just off the bistro is the hotel’s chic bar styled after a classic New York City bar, led by Bar Manager Andrés Basile and featuring modern and classic drinks as well as beer, wine and cider. Climb the winding staircase in the back of the bistro and you’ll arrive at a meticulously restored former chapel, which serves as the second dining space. Complete with Ionic columns, hand-painted walls and a marble central island, it acted as Matsalen, a fine dining venue, during the cold, dark Swedish winter months. Now, in warmer, sunnier months, the intimate space is playing host to a rotation of guest chefs in residence (the next being chef Varun Totlani and his team from Mumbai’s Masque, from June 24 to July 3), events and as a private venue that can be rented out. In fact, one night during my stay, a wedding party had taken it over to what sounded like great success. I got a peek the next morning after the revelers had left and I’m now dreaming of an excuse to take over the space with a big group of friends on a return visit to the city. Finally, while it alternated between rain and shine during my stay, I can only imagine that the central courtyard and its different seating areas will be the place to revel with a drink alongside many in peak sunny weather.
Extra tip goes to… The entire team was incredibly welcoming and always ready to help, whether with restaurant or museum suggestions, an extra pour of coffee or booking the sauna and cold plunge for a serene, private hour. Every time I walked in the door I was greeted with warmth and offered back the key to my room (the key cards are attached to heavy-ish ceramics that make them less easy to lose, but will also weigh down a bag during a day out and the hotel will happily hold them for you on dedicated hooks behind the front desk). Special thanks to both Delicia and Lidia for the extra care.
Be sure to…take in the stunning intarsia (intricate wood inlay) depicting scenes from the city by Swedish artist Klara Knutsson in the elevator up to your room or down to breakfast.
Date of stay… May 15 – 17, 2026
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