Grand Hôtel Stockholm

The Nobel Banquets in the Hall of Mirrors and the hotel's place in Stockholm's history

Grand Hôtel Stockholm opened on 14 June 1874 and was founded by Frenchman Régis Cadier, whose ambition was to create a hotel in Stockholm to rival the great continental hotels of Europe. The Wallenberg family took control of the hotel in 1968 and owns it today. The hotel is the only Swedish member hotel of The Leading Hotels of the World. The building is located on the Blasieholmen peninsula with direct views towards the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan, a location that from the outset signalled that the hotel was aimed at an international and affluent clientele.

The very first Nobel Banquet was held in the hotel's Hall of Mirrors in 1901, and the ceremonial dinners continued there until 1929 when the event had grown too large and was moved to Stockholm City Hall. The fact that the Hall of Mirrors hosted these banquets for nearly three decades says something about the original scale and ambition of the venue. However, the Nobel tradition lives on: the hotel has received every Nobel Prize winner since 1901, and many prize winners and their families still choose Grand Hôtel as their base during the ceremony week in December. Behind the façade, heads of state and internationally renowned figures have also passed through over the years.

The hotel has both rooms and suites as well as several historic salons. For a stay with a focus on architecture and history, the Hall of Mirrors and the Winter Garden are equally relevant parts of the hotel's story as the guest rooms themselves. The location at Södra Blasieholmshamnen means that the National Museum is in direct proximity and that the Royal Palace is visible across the water. The hotel states on its official website that it is located at Strömkajen, directly opposite the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan.

Room categories with and without water views of the Royal Palace

The hotel's room categories range from single rooms to suites of various sizes and designs. On the official website, categories such as Deluxe Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite, Executive Suite, Superior Suite and a number of named suites are listed, including Princess Lilian Suite, Bernadotte Suite, Flag Suite, Rooftop Suite and Royal Suite. The price difference between categories with and without water views is considerable, making it worthwhile to carefully choose a category based on what you actually prioritise during your stay.

The choice of room category essentially determines whether the guest has a water view or not. Rooms facing the courtyard or side street lack views of the Strömmen but can be an option for those who prioritise peace and quiet or a lower price. Princess Lilian Suite is described on the hotel's website as the ultimate luxury accommodation in the Nordic region and is the hotel's most exclusive accommodation option. All rooms have air conditioning, LCD TV with satellite channels and minibars. Free WiFi is included in all rooms.

Room service is available around the clock with meals from the hotel's kitchen, which provides an alternative to the restaurants' regular opening hours for guests with early departures or late evenings. Orders are charged according to the hotel's menu and terms. The hotel also offers parking on site for a fee. The concierge in the lobby can book tables, theatre tickets and other activities, making it possible to coordinate much of your stay's planning in one place.

Matbaren, Seafood Gastro and Verandan – different ways to dine at Grand Hôtel

Chef Mathias Dahlgren operates several restaurants at Grand Hôtel Stockholm. Seafood Gastro was awarded a Michelin star at the Nordic star ceremony, an honour received by head chef Jonas Hedenqvist in Helsinki. The restaurant opened in August the year before the award and focuses on a tasting menu with ingredients from, by or on the water – an approach that fits well with the hotel's location at Strömmen. Matbaren is Dahlgren's second active restaurant at the hotel and offers a different type of dining experience with a more relaxed format.

Verandan offers breakfast and a classical restaurant menu with views, and is known for its traditional Swedish smörgåsbord. Cadier Bar – named after the hotel's founder – serves breakfast à la carte, lunch and cocktails in an environment that also functions as a meeting place for visitors who do not stay at the hotel. Grand Soleil is another restaurant option at the address with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. In total, there are several distinctly different restaurant concepts with varying price levels and atmospheres.

Those planning dinner at Matbaren or Seafood Gastro should expect to book a table well in advance, as the restaurants have limited seating and attract guests from outside the hotel as well. The hotel states on its official website that there are a total of five restaurants plus 24-hour room service, making the hotel a gastronomic destination in itself and not just accommodation. Cadier Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and cocktails and welcomes visitors who do not stay at the hotel.

Grand Spa & Fitness – bathing, sauna and treatments at Blasieholmen

Grand Hôtel Nordic Spa & Fitness is located at the hotel at Blasieholmen. The facility contains a heated indoor pool, dry sauna, steam sauna, cold plunge pool and jacuzzi. The fitness facility is equipped with machines and also offers yoga with views of the Royal Palace. The spa is described on The Leading Hotels of the World's official website as a facility with Nordic bathing rituals and a wide range of treatments in addition to a yoga studio and sauna.

The treatment range includes facials, body scrubs, foot care and naprapathy. Day spa packages are available in several variants and the hotel states that access to the facilities is included with a booked treatment. However, what is included in a hotel package needs to be read in the specific offer, as the content varies between bath entry, treatment and overnight packages. The spa welcomes both hotel guests and day spa visitors from outside, which means the facility can be busy during popular periods. Those wishing to combine fitness and treatment during the same visit can do so within the facility without having to leave the hotel.

The spa facility has an age limit of 16 years, which means that children and younger teenagers do not have access – something that is important to consider for families planning a visit. Time booking for treatments is recommended, especially during peak season and Nobel Week when occupancy is typically high. The hotel's location at Blasieholmen, in direct proximity to the National Museum, means that a spa visit can easily be combined with a cultural visit nearby without longer travel.