During my recent trip to Sweden’s capital city, I had the pleasure to stay at the Scandic Grand Central. Situated on the corner of Kungsgatan and Vasagatan, a stone’s throw from the central station, it is a prime location for exploring the city.
The building is from 1885 and was originally known as “the Lundberg Palace”. It was reinvented by firm Koncept in recent years and imagined as a lifestyle venue, “infused with Stockholm’s downtown street culture and its vibrant atmosphere.” Scandic Grand Central hotel opened its doors in November 2011, and it has become a buzzing meeting place for locals and tourists alike, and understandably so.
It is a stylish hangout, with a low-key glamour and a masculine Scandinavian chic décor. The atmosphere is unpretentious and homey. The cozy furniture paired with dimmed lighting and a rich and luxurious color palette gives a lounge feel to the place, making you want to sit down, relax and enjoy the cool vibe.
The concept behind the interior design was so carefully thought of, it is palpable throughout the entire hotel. Art, entertainment and an urban lifestyle inspired this space: Music lyrics and movie quotes ornate the walls, as well as a beautiful collection of prints and photographs. Firm Koncept also made sure to honor the building’s past, as well as its present and future, and came up with a clever mix of old and new. Everything in the hotel hangs together seamlessly.
Every little detail has its own function and story – Just ask Azize Ayhan, Scandic Grand Central’s Marketing Manager, who enthusiastically recounted with me many of the hotel’s interesting anecdotes and unique features. For instance, the room numbers are a tribute to the old press factory housed in the building years ago, while the streets of Stockholm inspired the custom design of the carpet.
The hotel’s restaurant, Teaterbrasseriet, is a must during your stay if you want to mingle with locals while enjoying delicious Swedish dishes with a twist. The smoked trout is a treat, and they have a great list of wine by the glass. The bar on the upper level gets packed many days a week, thanks to its live DJs, skilled bartenders, and the velvety ambiance.
A few additional highlights:
- The junior suite
- Samples of body cream and soaps by FACE Stockholm
- The vinyl player in the bedroom
- The delicious breakfast buffet
- The warm welcome offered to bloggers, entrepreneurs and freelancers
I had a truly enjoyable stay at Scandic Grand Central, and I definitely recommend it!
Photos: Scandic Grand Central
