Best hotels in Stockholm

Grand Hotel, Stockholm

The Grand Hôtel in Stockholm is an icon of luxury that has been hosting royalty, world leaders, and celebrities since it first opened in 1874. Founded by French chef and hotelier Jean-François Régis Cadier, the hotel was designed by architect Axel Kumlien to bring a grand continental style to Sweden’s capital. It holds a special place in history as the original host of the first Nobel Prize banquet in 1901.

“This is where the literati, glitterati and nobility call it a night. A waterfront landmark, with several exclusive restaurants and a see-and-be-seen piano bar, it remains Stockholm’s most sumptuous lodgings.”

Miss Clara by Nobis, Stockholm

Hotel Miss Clara by Nobis is a beautiful boutique hotel housed in a historic 1910 Art Nouveau building. Located on Sveavägen in the heart of Stockholm, the structure originally served as the Ateneum girls’ school. It is named after the school's legendary headmistress, Clara Strömberg, whose presence is still felt in the building's elegant curves and dignified architecture.

“Miss Clara is a boutique hotel that opened last April in a handsome Art Nouveau building from 1910 that was formerly a private girls’ school. Though the name is a tribute to a one-time headmistress, Clara Stromberg, there’s nothing schoolmarmish about this stylish 92-room property.”

Hobo Hotel, Stockholm

Hobo Hotel, located in Stockholm’s Brunkebergstorg square, is a creative hub that opened in 2017 with a mission to move beyond traditional hospitality. Designed by the Berlin-based Studio Aisslinger, the hotel reflects an urban, adventurous spirit. Its "collage-like" aesthetic blends natural textures like stone and wood with industrial metal finishes and pops of vibrant color, aiming to make guests feel like they are embarking on a global road trip.

“If you can forgive the name, consider the Hobo, a 201-room hotel that opened in March 2017 on Brunkebergstorg, a central square currently undergoing a complete overhaul. Compact rooms employ clever design features geared toward sociable young travelers who value a lively scene, from the buzzy lobby cafe to the popular rooftop bar and restaurant, Tak.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Stockholm, Sweden.

Villa Dagmar, Stockholm

Villa Dagmar is a sophisticated boutique hotel located in the heart of Stockholm’s upscale Östermalm district. Opened in 2021, the hotel is a "sister" property to the iconic Hotel Diplomat and is named after the Malmström family's matriarch, Dagmar Bergsten. The property beautifully merges a historic 1870s building with a former candy factory, creating an intimate, residence-like feel.

“Villa Dagmar has a soaring glass-roofed courtyard that anchors this new boutique hotel in a series of Art Nouveau buildings. There are 70 luxurious rooms and suites.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Stockholm.

Långholmen Hotell, Stockholm

Långholmen Hotell offers one of the most unique stays in Stockholm, housed within the walls of a former Crown Prison. Operating as a penal facility for nearly 300 years, the prison finally closed in 1974. Today, you can sleep in converted prison cells that have been transformed into bright, modern rooms, offering a fascinating connection to the building’s storied and somewhat macabre past.

“Guests at this hotel-hostel, in a former prison on Långholmen island, sleep on bunks in a cell, with either shared or private baths. Hotel-standard rooms are also in cells but spruced up with textured wall coverings and mod fixtures.”

Hotel Haymarket by Scandic, Stockholm

Haymarket by Scandic is a stunning Art Deco landmark situated right on Hötorget square in the heart of Stockholm. The building carries a fascinating history: it was formerly the legendary PUB department store, where a young Greta Garbo famously worked as a shop assistant before rising to global fame as a Hollywood icon.

“Opened in 2016, the Haymarket is Scandic Hotels’ landmark 405-room property in the historic PUB building, a former department store where Greta Garbo once sold hats. The grand interiors reference the 1920s with Art Deco-inspired décor in the lobby, brasserie, cafe and cocktail bar.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Stockholm, Sweden.

Hotel Rival, Stockholm

Hotel Rival in Stockholm is a unique boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 1930s Art Deco cinema building. Located on the pretty Mariatorget square in the vibrant Södermalm district, the hotel is famously co-owned by Benny Andersson of ABBA. His influence is evident throughout, from the retro cinema-themed décor to the subtle musical nods found within the rooms.

“Owned by ABBA frontman Benny Andersson, the Rival is cool, but never to the point of being cold. Rooms here are full of delightful ideas—such as the bathroom’s glass wall that lets you watch TV from the tub—and are stylish but still comfortable.”

Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Stockholm.

Hotel Frantz, Stockholm

Hotel Frantz is a delightful family-owned boutique hotel tucked into a historic building from 1647. It was originally commissioned by master tailor Frantz Bock, and the hotel honors his legacy by blending history with modern, fashion-inspired design. Each of the 48 rooms is entirely unique, with some even featuring stunning original tiled stoves, offering a cozy retreat that feels deeply personal and tailored to the guest.

“The 48-room, family-run Hotel Frantz, on a cobblestone street, opened in 2019 in a building dating to 1647. An ample breakfast is included.”

Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Stockholm.

City Backpackers Hostel, Stockholm

City Backpackers Hostel is a local institution, having welcomed travelers since 1994. Housed in a beautifully preserved 19th-century building, it strikes a perfect balance between historic character and modern, social energy. It is consistently rated as one of the best hostels in Sweden, known for its remarkably clean facilities and the "no-shoes" policy that keeps the common areas feeling like a cozy home.

“This city-centre hostel melds practicality and style, with cosy public spaces and facilities ranging from the commonplace – laundry and free Wi-Fi – to the eccentric – sauna tours, buckets of free pasta and ice skate hire.”

STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen, Stockholm

STF af Chapman & Skeppsholmen is one of Stockholm’s most iconic stays, offering a unique opportunity to sleep aboard a historic, full-rigged steel ship. Built in 1888 in England, the ship—originally named the Dunboyne—spent decades hauling cargo across the Atlantic before serving as a naval training vessel and a floating barracks. It was saved from demolition in the 1940s and transformed into one of the world's most recognizable hostels, moored permanently on the island of Skeppsholmen.

“The af Chapman is a storied vessel that has done plenty of travelling of its own. It’s anchored in a superb location, swaying gently off Skeppsholmen. Bunks are in dorms below deck. Apart from showers and toilets, all facilities are on dry land in the Skeppsholmen hostel.”