Best Luxury Hotels in Stockholm

The historic Grand Hotel is one of Stockholm's grand dames, complete with gilded accents and a high-profile clientele. Built in 1874, the hotel boasts spectacular harbor views, and a great location near multiple museums and tourist attractions. Stately rooms have flat-screen TVs with premium channels, and some come with extras like separate deep soaking tubs and balconies. But be sure to upgrade to at least a Classic or Superior Room (215 or 270 square feet, respectively): Single Rooms are teensy tiny by American standards, measuring around 160 square feet.

The 130-room boutique Hotel Diplomat is situated in a beautiful Art Nouveau building by the waterfront in an upscale neighborhood of central Stockholm. Stately and refined, the luxury hotel blends chic and light-filled interiors with modern details and touches of Scandinavian design. Rooms, some of which have lovely harbor views, are classically elegant with luxurious beds and linens, work desks, and flat screen TVs, but bathrooms are small. The ground-floor restaurant, T/Bar, is popular with guests and locals. Guests can book an exclusive hour all to themselves at The Retreat, a spa area with a whirlpool and sauna.

The 50-room Lydmar Hotel is a hip, design-centric choice located in central Stockholm. Paintings and photographs line the hallways, each floor has its own living room area, and the two-floor lobby boasts a popular restaurant and beautiful views of the harbor. The sleek, earth-toned rooms are among Stockholm's best, with individual designs (no two rooms are the same), and thoughtful attention to detail -- big windows, unique light fixtures, cool wall art, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel does not have a spa or fitness center.

An upscale, city-center hotel located right next to Stockholm's lush Humlegarden Park and Stureplan square, Elite Eden Park Hotel is a stylish and serene property in Stockholm’s vibrant center. Built in 2011, the hotel has 124 bright and modern rooms spread over six floors, two restaurants, and a sauna. Miss Voon -- the chic, Asian-inspired main restaurant -- attracts discerning locals and well-heeled guests alike, while the stately, English-style Bishops Arms pub is a popular watering hole. The central location is especially popular with business travelers who appreciate a bit more character than the average chain options, but all guests enjoy perks like free chocolates and cognac each evening, Penhaligon toiletries, and free Wi-Fi.

The four-pearl, 144-room First Hotel Reisen is a historic waterfront property in Gamla Stan, Stockholm's Old Town, just a six-minute walk from the Royal Palace. The hotel has a stylish restaurant serving Swedish fare and a popular bar that attracts both guests and locals. Wellness facilities are situated in an atmospheric basement with vaulted brick ceilings, and include spa treatment rooms, a sauna, plunge pool, and a small gym with limited equipment. Other features like meeting rooms and a charming library with a fireplace round out the perks. Guest rooms offer traditional decor and modern amenities, but some guests find them a bit dated and entry-level rooms can be small.