While each of the fourteen isles that comprise Stockholm’s city proper has its attributes, the sylvan Skeppsholmen is, arguably, the city’s most picturesque. With its landscaped walkways and waterfront vistas, Skeppsholmen is the equivalent of an island park, surrounded by the city – and the Hotel Skeppsholmen perfectly complements the isle’s restorative serenity.
Opened in October 2009 in two structures from 1699, the Hotel Skeppsholmen takes up the entire “Long Row” of houses that originally housed the Royal Marines. Built from the ruins of Swedish castles, the structures were added to Sweden’s historic buildings register in 1935. Given the buildings’ cultural significance (dignitaries and emissaries were often in residence), the hotel’s resultant renovations are both respectful and innovative, using original floorboards and bricks, as well as other recycled materials. Each of the hotel’s 81 capacious rooms is named for a celebrated individual who resided there – albeit before the addition of such modern touches as 37-inch flat-screen TVs with DVDs, minibars, closet safety boxes, and bathrooms with beautiful Boffi basins and artfully-illuminated rain showers.
A member of Design Hotels, Hotel Skeppsholmen was designed by Claesson Kolvisto Rune (Venice Biennale, 2004) – and the rooms reflect that blissful contemplative state that often results from a waterfront setting. With customized furnishings such as writing desks, each room also features modern chairs and pleasing lighting (as well as wireless Internet). Yet it is the views from the hotel’s large windows that prove most enchanting – and make it difficult to leave the premises.
The Skeppsholmen regards itself as an “urban oasis,” a claim that is further substantiated by its cultural neighbors: the Museum of Modern Art, the Swedish Museum of Architecture, the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, and a garden of sculpture by Niki de Saint Phalle. You could easily spend your time in Stockholm without stepping foot off Skeppsholmen – and not feel at all badly for doing so. A true cultural oasis, the Hotel Skeppsholmen is as hot as it is cool – and it’s no surprise that the Skeppsholmen is listed on the Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Hot List.
The hotel’s dining rooms showcase the Swedish brand of conviviality known as “Social Dining,” whereby locals and guests commingle over the best of Swedish cuisine. Breakfasts are copious – and relaxed; you could easily remain at table for hours, gazing onto the waterfront and the Skating Pavilion, which was built in 1882 by the Royal Skating Club and the Yacht Club (and which is one reason why the in-house toiletries by Byredo are slightly redolent of chocolate: in honor of the hot chocolate annually served to the Swedish King at the pavilion).
In winter, the grounds of the Skeppsholmen are a winter wonderland of snow-covered trees and white-shrouded statuary. Six months later, in the middle of summer, the idyllic setting is one that begs for its own George Seurat painting. With its al fresco terrace for dining, and tennis courts along the water, and its splendid views of central Stockholm, the Skeppsholmen is a true urban resort.
Managed by the delightful Joachim Olausson, the Skeppsholmen is a proud member of the IGLTA. Register at the Hotel Skeppsholmen and you might find yourself considering a permanent relocation to Stockholm.
LINK: Hotel Skeppsholmen
