These are the hot spots you must check in the Swedish capital.
Personal tips from Martina Bonnier, editor-in-chief of VOGUE Scandinavia

My favourite luxury hotel for a lunch or dinner:  You can’t visit Stockholm without having dinner at boutique design hotel Ett Hem. You can be seated for dinner in their very own greenhouse, where they serve local Scandinavian produce. The menu is decided in the morning, and the chefs surprise you with beautifully presented food based on what is in season.

The most elegant bar for a drink:  The Opera Terrace – that’s in front of the royal palace. Operakällaren dates back to 1787 and is situated under Gustav III’s opera house. Its classical oak-paneled Gustavian interiors and elaborate ceiling frescos create the most remarkable atmosphere to enjoy a cocktail. It also boasts a wonderful view of the Royal Palace (Kungliga slottet), just opposite.

The best restaurant for a breakfast or brunch: Milles on the picturesque Strandvägen is the perfect place for breakfast in Stockholm, they have a wonderful brunch menu and while you sip your coffee you can admire the beauty of the marina while boats sail into the harbour in the morning.

The cafe where the afternoon tea and cakes are amazing: The Tea Salon tucked away on the top floor of Svenskt Tenn is a gem, serving an array of teas and our traditional Fika, you can also admire the iconic furnishings of the legendary Swedish design store on your way in.

The fanciest gym in the city: Urban Escape in Gallerian is my go-to for Spin classes. It’s a trendy boutique gym but it’s the perfect place to recharge after a long day of work.

You must try this hotel if you are in the city: Hotel Diplomat on Strandvägen is a classic with its beautiful red awnings. I absolutely love Ett Hem which is a modern and achingly-cool secret enclave in Stockholm. The city also recently welcomed Bank Hotel which is, as the name suggests, a refurbished former bank reimagined into a boutique hotel, the interiors are well worth seeing.

Your shopping district if you love luxury brands: If you are looking for luxury shopping in Stockholm you will love walking around Birger Jarlsgatan and Biblioteksgatan, a stone’s throw from the VOGUE Scandinavia offices. These streets are also home for cool Scandinavian fashion brands such as, Filippa K, Hope, Rodebjer, Acne, Ganni, Toteme, Malene Birger, J.Lindeberg, CDLP, Axel Arigato, Nathalie Schuterman.

Your ideal spots if you want to find local high class designer products: Svenskt Tenn founded by the legendary Estrid Ericson is a showroom off the most classic Scandinavian design items, from interiors to fabrics and objets d’art. You must also visit Nordiska Galleriet, which is a refined department store in the heart of the city where you can find luxury Scandinavian homeware and gifts.

The gourmet shop where you can find the finest food: Östermalms Saluhall is one of the most beautiful and well preserved historical food markets in the world, it’s a destination for gastronomes and all the produce is locally sourced and organic.

The spa you shouldn’t miss: In Stockholm you would be remiss not to try Grand Hotel’s spa, it’s a luxury experience complete with waterfront pools and nordic bathing rituals… of course I suggest trying their Swedish massage. If you’re looking for something outside the city you can also try Yasuragi, a Japanese inspired spa located in Saltsjö-Boo.

The hidden luxury secret of the city: They say good things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more true than with the stunning Prince Eugen’s Waldemarsudde. This bijoux museum is one of Sweden’s most popular art destinations, beautifully situated on Djurgården in Stockholm.

Rosendals Garden is an oasis of sustainability and horticulture. Herbs, flowers and fruits grown locally in their garden are used in their café and bakery. As a visitor you can enjoy the garden as well as buy flowers to take home with you.

The Drottningholm Palace Theatre is an opera house located at Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm. It is a simply beautiful 18th century building which still uses its original wooden stage machinery, operated by hand.

It’s hard to choose just one luxury secret in Stockholm of course:

Andréhn-Schiptjenko is one of the finest contemporary art spaces in Scandinavia.

Bonnier Konsthall, this museum built by my family is open to the public. It is a wonderful place to experience both Swedish and international contemporary art in central Stockholm, situated in a glass building designed by Johan Celsing Arkitektkontor.

Carling Dalenson is newly opened and have wonderful contemporary exhibitions featuring world renown artists such as Andy Warhol.

Photos: PR, intro pics: Ett Hem, Yasuragi, Mikael Jansson
the 18th of February, 2021