Stockholm’s HTL Hotel was first featured on Nordic Design shortly after it opened its doors back in May 2014. I thought it looked like such a cool place; I definitely wanted to experience this innovative hotel concept during my next trip to the Swedish capital city, and so I did! I was in Stockholm this week for my annual design pilgrimage (read more about it here), and I spent a few nights at HTL on Kunsgatan – And I truly enjoyed it!
HTL Hotels’ goal is to enhance and somewhat reinvent the modern travellers’ experience by offering smart digital solutions. This struck a chord with me right from the beginning. I arrived pretty late at night, after a long day waiting at airport terminals, so I was pleased about how quick and simple the self-service check-in was. I found out I could have used my smartphone as a key, simply by downloading the mobile app prior to my arrival. Focusing on convenience, HTL also makes it easy for its guests to get a taxi or request a Uber ride with the automated booking service in the lobby. In the rooms, it is possible to connect your laptop, iPad or other devices directly to the LED TV with Airplay or Miracast. I am a bit of a geek, so all this technology was a big plus for me!
Easy self-service check in
The interactive TV screen in the rooms
A second pillar of HTL Hotels’ successful concept is to “leave out the gimmicks and enhance the quality of the necessary” (source). The hotel isn’t equipped with a gym or meeting rooms, but according to Gül Heper, Commercial Manager at HTL Hotels, there is a good reason behind it: “Why should we charge all of our guests for a bunch of facilities that are not used by everyone? We are in the heart of the city, so there are many options available around the corner. It’s about being honest and relevant, and focusing on what our guests truly needs.”
This is probably why you won’t find an iron (there is a room for ironing on the 5th floor), a mini fridge (the hotel has a restaurant and a shop; the latter is open around the clock), a chair (often added to rooms just for the looks) or a desk (the lounge is equipped with numerous power outlets, comfy seats and tables) in the rooms. Such ‘minimalist’ principle has its perks: It is how the hotel can offer stylish rooms in such a central location at an affordable price, leaving you with extra cash in your pocket to enjoy what the city has to offer. Moreover, by cutting out the nonessential, HTL could enhance the quality of what we travellers truly care about: A great bed and comfy sheets, a good shower, reinvigorating soaps, a large safety box, super fast Internet, smart storage solutions, etc.
The décor is fresh, trendy and stylish.
I liked the touches of brass in the bathroom and the rain shower.
Most rooms are 12,5 square meters, and every inch of space is maximized. The modular-inspired space is super functional and efficient. All details were carefully planned. It is trendy, fun, stylish and decorated with taste, but unpretentious and relaxed – Nothing complicated and unnecessary, which is in line with the hotel’s ambition to stay relevant and keep only what is essential. The name HTL is actually a nod to that principle, too!
Smart storage under the bed
Pretty details
All in all, I enjoyed:
- The location;
- The friendly staff;
- Working in the cozy lounge and mingling with locals who came by for lunch or for a drink before heading home;
- The delicious chanterelles risotto with Parmesan foam and fresh herbs from the hotel’s restaurant;
- The Airplay connection to the TV in the rooms;
- The touches of cobalt blue and brass throughout the hotel;
- The collective city guide (available on the TV and the mobile app) that contains tips from trendy locals, famous Swedish personalities and hotel guests.
HTL Hotel, I’ll definitely be back!
HTL Stockholm
Kungsgatan 53
111 22, Stockholm
+46 8 4108 41 50
htlhotels.com
The beautiful lobby bar
Travellers mingling with locals on the patio
Click here to view more pics of this beautiful hotel.
Photos: HTL Hotel
