At a Glance
ett hem is swedish for “a home,” and that’s exactly what Scandinavia’s favorite boutique hotel feels like. The original building is a stunning 1910 town house (actually three town houses combined into one), in Stockholm’s embassy quarter, which has been spectacularly refurbished by owner Jeanette Mix. When was the last time you stayed somewhere that had carpentry that made you envious? The décor by British designer Ilse Crawford is absolute perfection. The heart of the property is an open kitchen, but there’s also a lovely garden and orangery where guests can enjoy the abundant sunshine in summer. Even now, with 22 rooms thanks to the addition of two neighboring town houses, Ett Hem still feels more like the world’s chicest guesthouse than one of the world’s most admired destination hotels.
**The Standout:** Ilse Crawford’s interiors are absolute perfection—a well-curated mix of eclectic art, Scandinavian antiques and modern pieces **Don’t Miss:** The open kitchen, where the chef will happily whip up an impromptu dish or sugary delightIndagare Loves
- The townhouse-vibe of the place that instantly makes you feel right at home
- The glassedin conservatory and lovely courtyard garden, with an orangery in warmer months and a cozy spot for glogg in winter
- Delicious farm-to-table meals (especially the breakfast spread)
Review
The clue is in the name. Ett Hem is Swedish for “A Home” and that’s what the place feels like. The building is a stunning 1910 townhouse in a very chic quarter, just outside the heart of town, which has been spectacularly refurbished. Every detail has been worked out. When was the last time you stayed somewhere that had carpentry that made you envious? The décor is by British designer Ilse Crawford and it’s absolute perfection: a stunning mix of classic Scandinavian design and much more modern pieces. There’s also a lovely garden and an orangery to enjoy the abundant sunshine in the summer. The heated space is also an idyllic place to cocoon oneself with glogg (Scandinavian mulled wine) and a good book during a winter snowfall.
There are only 22 rooms—including the original 12 in the main house and 10 in two adjacent townhouses—so it does feel much more like the world’s chicest guesthouse than a hotel. There is one aspect to this home-away-from-home business that is the hotel’s only real flaw. They are keen to stress that you can stroll into the kitchen whenever you like and the chef there will be more than happy to whip up some food for you, as though he is the private chef of your richest friend. The only problem, of course, is that you’ll get a bill for this when you depart. It can feel so much like a home that when they say “Would you like to dine here tonight?” it seems churlish to ask “What will it cost me?” The answer, sadly, is “a lot.” But if you’re bothered about that you probably wouldn’t be staying here in the first place.
Who Should Stay
Couples, very sophisticated families (with older children) and elite business travelers who appreciate the small scale and the supreme comfort.
— Stephen Whitlock
Written by Indagare