Nordic Light Hotel

Design 2017 – Todd Saunders, John Tong and lighting architect Kai Piippo

Nordic Light Hotel underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2017 led by architect Todd Saunders and designer John Tong, together with a selection of Nordic designers. The result is a hotel where Nordic design language is consistently implemented in rooms, common areas and material choices. The floors in the rooms are Swedish ash and the beds are from the Swedish brand Hilding with bed linen in one hundred per cent organic cotton – concrete material choices that give the renovation substance beyond the purely aesthetic.

What most clearly distinguishes Nordic Light from many other design hotels in Stockholm is the lighting. Lighting architect Kai Piippo has designed a system of lighting effects that vary depending on location and season. In the so-called Mood rooms, moving patterns are projected onto the walls and bed heads are backlit in a spectrum of wintry tones. It is a deliberate approach that either appeals or does not – the hotel has enough variation for guests to opt out of that type of room and instead choose a more stripped-back category.

Standard and Superior rooms rely on natural light and white surfaces rather than dynamic lighting, which means that guests seeking a calmer visual impression have real alternatives within the same hotel. The hotel is operated within Strawberry Hospitality Group and is one of Stockholm's most centrally located design hotels. The consistency of the design – from material choices in floors and beds to the lighting's connection to Nordic seasons – is what holds the whole together and makes it possible to assess the hotel based on actual specifications rather than brand communication alone.

Four room categories with clear differences in design and capacity

The hotel has a total of 169 rooms divided into four categories: Standard, Superior, Deluxe King and Suite. Standard and Superior are the smaller categories with stripped-back design and a focus on natural light. The difference between these two categories is primarily bed size and slightly more space – neither has a separate seating area, and both accommodate a maximum of two guests. For travellers who do not need extra space, these categories are the most cost-effective option at the hotel.

Deluxe King starts at 28 square metres and is a clear step up. The room has a king-size bed from Hilding which can be separated into two single beds if needed, and includes a sofa that can be converted into a bed. It is the lowest category with space for more than two guests, which makes it relevant for families or travellers sharing a room. The bathroom has rain showers and a bathtub, which distinguishes it from the smaller categories.

The suites have a separate bedroom with a queen-size bed from Hilding and a living room with a sofa bed, which also provides space for more guests. The spatial division can be relevant for longer stays or for guests who want a separate work and living room. All rooms have a minibar, coffee and tea, hairdryer, iron and ironing board and a safe adapted for a laptop. Breakfast is not automatically included in all bookings – check what your specific booking includes at reservation, as terms vary depending on booking channel and offer.

Restaurant Lykke and the Light Meetings conference department

Restaurant Lykke is the hotel's dining room and bar with an open kitchen and a terrace used during warmer parts of the year. The menu is based on Nordic food and drink, and the restaurant functions as a breakfast venue in the mornings and as an à la carte restaurant and bar in the evenings. Lykke has its own cocktail menu and hosts recurring events such as Wine o'Clock and Chef's Table, which gives the restaurant a profile beyond the traditional hotel dining room.

The conference department is called Light Meetings and consists of 15 meeting rooms of varying sizes. The largest room, Spectra, accommodates up to 150 people. The rooms are equipped with modern AV technology and lighting that can be adjusted to influence the atmosphere – the same lighting philosophy that permeates the hotel rooms is applied to meeting spaces, which can be an argument for corporate customers who value a cohesive environment. The hotel is Nordic Swan certified as a conference hotel, which means that sustainability requirements are placed on how events are conducted.

The gym is open 24 hours and is included in the stay for hotel guests at no extra cost. It is equipped with free weights, treadmills and cross trainers. The hotel has no pool or spa. Since the renovation, the lobby and restaurant have been merged into an open room where curtains and furniture groups create smaller zones, which means that the boundary between hotel guest and outside visitor is unclear – something that can be experienced as an asset but also as a disadvantage for those seeking privacy in the lobby. Parking is available nearby but not in the hotel's own facility, which is worth planning for when travelling by car.

Vasaplan 7 – what the location next to Central Station actually offers and does not offer

Nordic Light Hotel is located at Vasaplan 7 on Norrmalm, directly next to Stockholm Central Station. The hotel is within walking distance of the station's main platforms, and Arlanda Express departs from the same station. This means that arrival and departure by airport train is practical without intermediate transport or changes. T-Centralen, which is Stockholm's busiest underground station with several lines, is reached on the same short walk, which makes virtually all of Stockholm's public transport network accessible directly from the hotel.

The location on Norrmalm means that the hotel is in one of Stockholm's busiest districts with offices, retail and through traffic that characterises the street environment. It is a functional location for those who prioritise communications and a city centre location, but not a quiet residential neighbourhood. Drottninggatan and Sergels torg are within walking distance. Guests seeking a quieter setting should weigh this against the convenience of the public transport location – it is a trade-off that depends on the purpose of the trip rather than a shortcoming in itself.

The hotel is pet-friendly and accepts pets, but contact the hotel directly to confirm applicable terms before booking. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is by 12:00. Booking directly via the hotel's website nordiclighthotel.com or via Strawberry Hotels gives access to the chain's loyalty programme. For guests planning to move around Stockholm, the location at Vasaplan is one of the most practical in the city, with direct connections to both airport and other districts without the need for planned transfer.