Lifestyle

5 luxury Stockholm staycations for the festive season

By Matilde Wergeland

Photo: Grand Hotel

Here's our ultimate guide to where to treat yourself in the Swedish capital this Christmas and New Year

Whether it's a last-minute Christmas present or a little breather in between the gingerbread baking and present wrapping, checking into a luxury hotel is the ultimate way to treat yourself and your loved ones this season.

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Relish delectable dinners and cosy breakfasts in the holiday spirit, unwind with a spa or sauna visit, and just generally take care of your body and mind and enter the New Year re-energised.

Here are some of our festive season Stockholm staycation favourites.

1

Ett Hem

For a luxurious, yet personal and intimate experience, make sure to book a room at Ett Hem, a gorgeous sanctuary consisting of three private red brick townhouses right beside Vasastan and Östermalm. This cosy and exclusive hotel is definitely a must if you’re planning for an unforgettable hotel experience this holiday season.

Relish their delectable breakfast, unwind with a book in front of the fireplace, and come back home with tons of inspiration for your own house and interior. A dinner reservation should also be on your to-do list during your stay – their menu is one of the best in town. And lastly, don’t forget to spoil yourself with a treatment or sauna session to return rejuvenated and ready for the upcoming year.

Sköldungagatan 2, 114 27 Stockholm

2

Villa Dagmar

Located in the heart of Östermalm, this wonderful boutique hotel is a fusion between a vibrant and trendy meeting place and a luxurious and personal hideaway. Although being one of the newer additions on the hotel scene in the city, Villa Dagmar has already become an established name and obvious option for travellers seeking both luxury and intimacy in the same place. And if you want to stick to your usual fitness routine then try out their gym and spa downstairs, and treat yourself later with a table by the bar for the best people watching in town. Special for this Christmas season, the hotel is hosting a sumptuous seven course New Year’s Eve dinner – make sure to book ahead.

Nybrogatan 25-27, 114 39 Stockholm

3

Grand Hotel

This renowned hotel has been an iconic landmark in the city since 1874, and one of the best times to visit this gorgeous place is undoubtedly during the holidays. With twinkling lights everywhere and a stunning Christmas tree greeting you in the majestic building's lobby, the Grand Hotel ensures you feel the holiday spirit the moment you step through the door. With incredible service and extravagant rooms, this is definitely one of the best spots to indulge yourself in town.

Make sure to book for their Christmas buffet during your visit (we recommend coming with a very empty stomach), and why not drop in for a visit to one of Stockholm’s best spas, Nordic Spa & Fitness. Nourish both body and mind in their saunas, relax by the pool, and schedule one of their signature treatments, including 'Nordic bath deluxe' which includes the revitalising benefits of cold and warm water, along with soothing treatment masks. It's the end of the year, you've certainly earned it.

Södra Blasieholmshamnen 8, 103 27 Stockholm

Stockholm's Grand Hotel certainly lives up to its name. Photo: Grand Hotel

4

Hotel Diplomat

With gorgeous vistas over Strandvägen and the perfect location between tranquil Djurgården and the busy city centre, Hotel Diplomat is one of the most beloved hotels in town and it’s easy to understand why. Enjoy luxurious and bright rooms with the softest bed linens, as well as their incredible food menu downstairs (where you can also enjoy their famous afternoon tea).

This holiday season, the spirit is a little extra focused on giving back, as the hotel auctions off a gingerbread house to raise money for the World Childhood Foundation. Moreover, a Pilates retreat, organised by the incredible Finnish Pilates instructor Saara will be held at the hotel around New Year’s for anyone looking to start 2023 refreshed and healthy.

Strandvägen 7C, 114 56 Stockholm

5

Bank Hotel

With an astonishing blend of history, Art Deco design, and modern luxury, this beloved hotel in Stockholm's city centre is one of the best places to drop your bags and unwind this season. The intimate interior provides for a cosy and warm feeling, and is perfect for getting you in the right mood for the festive season ahead. While you might want to spend all day and night in their unbelievably comfortable beds, a visit to their restaurant Bonnie’s is required, and an order of their piggy bank dessert is mandatory. And before hitting the sheets again, end the night with drinks at their rooftop bar Le Hibou, where you'll feel right at home.

Arsenalsgatan 6, 111 47 Stockholm

Photo: Bank Hotel