Lydmar Hotel

Residence-style boutique property great for families or couples.

• Harbor side setting with views towards the Royal Palace and Old Town
• Super central location a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle
• Polished and homely accommodations

This unassuming property by legendary Swedish hotel owner Pelle Lydmar, is located in a freestanding, seemingly small and unmarked building in the center of Stockholm. Having the Grand Hotel between you and the drum of traffic, and with views across the water of the Royal Palace and Old Town, the Lydmar couldn’t be in a better location. The exterior façade is stacked with large windows, beneath which are tables and chairs in a makeshift courtyard for sunset admirers/onlookers. Almost completely surrounded by water (two connecting inlets surround three sides), it feels as though you are staying on your own private island. The restaurant beside the lobby is alive and welcoming for the whole of the day. I was drawn to the plethora of books, games (specifically an old version of trivial pursuit), trinket-filled shelves teeming with memories, and the chesterfield couches. The food was delicious, and the diverse menu offers something for everyone.

On each floor, there are living-room spaces with floor-to-ceiling windows and a variety of books available, handpicked by Lydmar, to encourage an afternoon at leisure. As the building once hosted the German Embassy in the 1920’s, I imagine a secretary might have sat where the plush couches currently do, welcoming visitors in an earlier era. The hotel is meant to feel like a private residence, a place where you can spend your time without being disturbed, but still well attended to. There is no wall space left empty, framed art and photography greet you throughout. The greatest amount of coverage is dedicated to photographs from documentary photographer James Nachtwey. The 45 individually furnished rooms, spread over five floors, come in four categories—classic, medium, large and extra-large—all of which feel masculine and sleek, warm and modern, at the same time. There is also a large suite with a small, medium and large room for large families or a group of friends. Book a room or suite in the 01 line, which have direct views of the waterfront overlooking the Royal Palace and the Old Town. The 14 and 15 lines, at the back of the building have courtyard and partial water views.

The three giant windows in my medium room opened to a quiet hidden park below, and in the distance were views of the water and Strandvägen, one of the poshest streets in town. For a medium category room, there was a lot of space (in Parisian terms, the room would have been a deluxe suite, at the least.) There are one and a half baths, both covered in matted charcoal slate tiles and brand-new fixtures. Attention has been paid to every corner of the room —from the modern mixed with antique furniture to the wall fabrics and bathroom fittings, no detail has been spared. Many of the items throughout the hotel, including the antique jewelry boxes, National Geographic issues from the ’80’s, and pictures are actually personal possessions from Lydmar’s childhood, an appropriately personal touch for this sleek home away from home.

Art and music lovers will appreciate this hotel most, but it is also a great match for someone who prefers a more personal, creative, and modern space.