Sombre Stockholm design hotel inspired by Arts and Crafts movement

Stockholm Stadshotell / Stockholm / Sweden

Contrasts are such a great thing. When you get different worlds colliding and by this having a more full experience. It could of course be a miss, but when it is a hit, it is nothing short of magical. This kind of clash or contrast is the case between the Stockholm neighborhood of “Söder” and this hotel, Stockholm Stadshotell and I love the result.

Söder, or Södermalm is an old working-class neighborhood that has evolved into a kind of hipster heaven with a very relaxed and kind of alternative vibe. We used to live in Stockholm and were drawn to this area where it feels like there is space for people from all walks of life, including two exiled Gothenburgers. So to open a hotel like Stockholm Stadshotell here is something of a riddle, but I am so happy they did.

Stockholm Stadshotell is situated in an old building dating back to 1875 and was built as an homage to the late Swedish King Oscar the first. The hotel is small for a city hotel with only 32 rooms, which I love. I am always looking for small boutique hotels when staying in big cities. So great to get an intimate, personal experience in a hectic, anonymous city, which is fully the case with this hotel.

The design is subtle and elegant with some contemporary features. The scheme was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th century, which was a direct response to the industrialization that was sweeping this part of the world at the time. This movement was all about craftmansship and the human touch.

My room was warm and classy and had a kind of Art Deco inspired look. On of my favorite features was how the bathroom was cleverly hidden in a row of same-looking wardrobes. It gave a real Narnia feel, like entering a new world (ok, a bathroom) through one of my wardrobes.

Since the hotel is situated right in the middle of the best part of town, there are so many great restaurants, bars, cafés and shops a short walk from the hotel. I have listed some of my favorites below for you to enjoy.

Approaching Stockholm Stadshotell through the Japanese cherry tree park.

This majestic building from the 19th century was built to honor Swedish King Oscar the first.

One of my favorite design features are the wooden art work in the elevator depicting different classic Stockholm landmarks.

I love the fitted carpet in the corridors.

To my (untrained) eye there is a kind of Art Deco-esque look to the design.

The key to my room. Love how the modern digital key “blip” has been hidden in a beautifully crafted leather pendant.

Nothing gives you the feeling of a warm welcome quite like a handwritten letter.

The color scheme is this soft vanilla hue.

I love the vintage-looking design of all the features in the bathroom. Fits well with the design theme.

We used to live on Södermalm, the Stockholm island where the hotel is located. So we have a lot of favorites when it comes to food. Like this one, Pascal on Skånegatan, which is perfect for breakfast.

For brunch there is Greasy Spoon on Tjärhovsgatan, which is very popular with the locals.

If you, like me, are a coffee-fanatic you don’t have to look far. There are great places all around. One of my favorites is hole-in-a-wall, Beck on Tjärhovsgatan.

If you like an authentic Italian pizza, my go-to is Meno Male. There is one on Renstiernas Gata and one on Krukmakargatan.

But if you are looking for some traditional Swedish classics, Pelikan on Blekingegatan is a must. The Toast Skagen and the meatballs are to die for.

And finally, if you want something different, Liebling on Timmermansgatan serves Austrian food and they do a mean Wienerschnitzel.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…want to stay in a classy-looking hotel in an edgy part of town. If you like small, urban boutique hotels with classic design with a contemporary, you are going to love Stockholm Stadshotell.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the paradox of the hotel and the location. ”Söder” in Stockholm is hipster central, an edgy, more realxed part of town which makes this hotel so fascinating, since it would be more suitable for either ”Östermalm” or ”Vasastan”, two fancier, more classy parts of town. But this contrast is something I love. If offers more diversity to the neighborhood and opens up for different kind of experiences for us visiting.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to explore Söder, my favorite part of Stockholm. We used to live here so I have loads of favorite haunts. Söder is full of great restaurants, cafés, bars and excellent shopping (see some of them listed above). And it is the most relaxed and diverse part of town which makes it stand out among the different neighborhoods of Stockholm.

If you like this hotel you might also like:

Miss Clara Hotel / Stockholm, Sweden

Hotel August / Antwerp, Belgium

St. George / Helsinki, Finland

RUNO / Porvoo, Finland

Wilmina / Berlin, Germany