Best hotels in Stockholm 2023: Where to stay for location and charm

Open, modern and diverse, with serious sustainability credentials, yet still with an eye to preserving spots such as the historic Gamla Stan district, Stockholm combines both old-world European splendour and clean, contemporary design.

Here, you’ll find a palace and museums cosied up to trendy vegan restaurants committed to sourcing local produce and indie stores selling minimalist souvenirs that are too good to give away.

Central Stockholm spreads across 14 islands, with Lake Malaren to the west and the Baltic sea to the east, but getting around this small city is simple. To the east lies upmarket Ostermalm (the spot for shopping) and Djurgarden (green spaces and museums); in the middle, Gamla Stan (royals, old town); and to the south Sodermalm (cool cafés enticing hipsters from all over Sweden). With a fair wind and a stout pair of shoes, it’s all readily walkable.

But if you’d rather travel while sitting down, make use of the excellent public transport system of buses and metro (look out for the amazing underground art). There’s bike and electric scooter hire everywhere, too – with pick-up and drop-off – while boats provide quick and scenic hops between the islands of this beautiful city archipelago.

As for where to call home (temporarily, at least), we’ve rounded up the pick of the best – perfect for a couple of nights of sightseeing or an extended stay in the city, these handpicked hotels will make your trip to the Swedish capital even more special.

Neighbourhood: Norrmalm

Each of the 401 rooms at this downtown, elegant, Art Deco hotel, built in the 1920s, screams individuality. If you choose a suite, you can expect velvet furnishings in colourful hues, graphic prints on the wardrobe and unusual light fixtures. But even in the simpler single rooms, you’ll still find movie-star-style lighted dressing tables and bespoke wallpaper. It’s worth noting the cheapest rooms have no window – a fact that should be flagged wherever you’re booking.

In a nod to Greta Garbo, the iconic movie star who stayed here, the hotel’s cafe bistro is called Greta’s. With its candy-striped ceiling and view of the busy street below, it’s ideal for people-watching.