Victory Hotel

A boutique hotel named after HMS Victory in the heart of Gamla Stan

Victory Hotel opened in 1987 in a historic building at Lilla Nygatan 5 in Gamla Stan and is run by the Bengtsson family under the brand The Collector's Hotels. The hotel is named after Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, and the maritime connection runs throughout the entire establishment. The interior houses a private collection of ship models, figureheads, historical paintings and maritime antiques that the owning family has built up over decades. The collection is deliberately spread throughout the building rather than concentrated in a single exhibition room, meaning guests encounter new objects along corridors, in stairwells and in communal spaces.

Victory is the largest of three sister hotels in Gamla Stan – the others being Lady Hamilton Hotel and Lord Nelson Hotel. All three are owned by the same family and share a common thematic heritage linked to British maritime history. Victory is described by the chain as the flagship with somewhat larger and more luxurious rooms than the sister hotels, and is the only one of the three with its own gastronomic quarter directly adjoining the building, which gives it a clearer profile as a destination even for non-overnight guests.

The location on Lilla Nygatan places the hotel in the western part of Gamla Stan, near Riddarhustorget. Gamla Stan underground station is reached on a couple of minutes' walk, and from there Central Station is easily accessible with a change. The Royal Palace and Storkyrkan are reached on foot in a few minutes. The hotel has no parking of its own. Gamla Stan is dominated by cobbled streets, which can affect accessibility with rolling luggage or pushchairs – something worth considering on arrival and departure.

Rooms named after Swedish sea captains – from 12 to 56 square metres

The hotel's 45 rooms are individually decorated with a maritime theme inspired by the hotel's own antiques collection, and all are named after Swedish sea captains. The fact that the rooms are individually designed means that two rooms in the same category can differ in layout and feel, which is typical for boutique hotels housed in older buildings with irregular floor plans.

The room categories differ markedly in size and design. Captain's Single Room is 12 square metres and has a large single bed and a writing corner – an option suitable for solo travellers with limited space requirements. Captain's Small Double Room and Captain's Double Room measure 18–22 square metres and can have either a double bed or two separate beds. Captain's Deluxe Room is 21–35 square metres and includes a seating area in addition to the double bed. Captain's Junior Suite at 33–35 square metres comprises a bedroom with a large double bed and a separate lounge with seating area and writing corner. At the top of the hierarchy is Captain Johansson's Suite at 56 square metres with a four-poster bed and its own lounge. The hotel does not offer connecting rooms; for families, the hotel instead recommends the Penthouse apartment.

All rooms have flat-screen TV, stereo, bathrobe and bathroom with underfloor heating. Air conditioning is centrally controlled. WiFi is included free of charge throughout the hotel. Check-in is from 15.00 – apartments from 16.00 – and check-out by 12.00 at the latest. Room service is available; any additional charges and terms should be checked at booking.

Leijontornet and Vingården – restaurant and outdoor terrace with shared wine profile

The gastronomic quarter around Victory Hotel has housed the restaurant Leijontornet since September 2023: a wine-focused restaurant and wine bar created by chef Daniel Crespi, with a wine cellar of over 3,000 labels and a hundred wines served by the glass. The menu is offered both as à la carte and as a seasonal tasting menu that changes with the availability of ingredients. Part of Leijontornet's dining room is housed in a medieval section of Stockholm's old city wall, which gives the venue an unusual spatial character that is difficult to recreate in more modern environments. The restaurant also welcomes external guests, but table reservations are recommended.

From mid-May to September, Leijontornet takes a break indoors. During that period, Vingården opens instead on the hotel's courtyard – an outdoor restaurant with a retractable roof that can be closed in rain. Vingården's menu is South European-oriented with vegetables, shellfish, fish and meat, and the wine profile follows the same line as inside Leijontornet. The fact that the same wine cellar serves both concepts ensures consistent quality regardless of season.

The hotel offers a breakfast buffet; whether breakfast is included in the room rate depends on the booking type and should be checked at booking. Vegetarian, vegan and lactose- and gluten-free options are available on request. Conference arrangements in the hotel's meeting rooms can include food and drink from Leijontornet, which simplifies planning for organisers who want to bring the entire event under one roof.

Sauna, meeting rooms and other facilities

Victory Hotel has a sauna and relaxation section that is open daily and booked by hotel guests for 1.5 hours at a time for a per-person fee. Booking is made via reception or by telephone. The sauna is a complement to the overnight stay rather than part of a larger spa facility. The hotel has no outdoor pool and no full-scale fitness facility on site, which is worth considering for guests who prioritise exercise during their stay.

The conference side is well-developed for a boutique hotel of this size. The meeting rooms are named after places linked to Lord Nelson's life, which reflects the hotel's thematic consistency and creates a distinct atmosphere compared to anonymous conference venues. Equipment includes a screen and projector in each room as well as the possibility of hybrid meetings. Food and drink for conferences can be delivered from Leijontornet, which brings the event under one roof. The hotel is affiliated with the Swedish Meetings network.

Reception is open 24 hours and offers concierge service, luggage storage and laundry and dry cleaning services. A lift is available to the hotel rooms, but the apartments are only accessible via stairs – something to consider for guests with reduced mobility or heavy luggage. Gamla Stan underground station is a couple of minutes' walk away and provides connections to Central Station and other parts of Stockholm. For transport to and from the airport, the concierge can assist with booking a taxi or provide guidance on suitable alternatives.