10 April, 2019
The Nobis Hotel, due to its location, is a logical choice for a trip to Stockholm. Pragmatism and practicalities aside, its refined aesthetic cinches the deal with high ceilings, spiral staircases to rival curly fries and oodles of marble.
It also neighbours a rather famous address; Acne's flagship store - which is notable in its own right - was the location of the 1973 robbery (it was formerly a bank) that coined the term "Stockholm Syndrome".
A modular space, your room looks like a game of Tetris or battleship, with block furniture plotted disparately across your suite. There's a couch and oversized grey felt pouffe, mismatched side tables and a precarious mirror leaning in the corner. At the other end of your room a low-hanging, tulip-shaped lamp throws light over a mushroom-top table.
Guests will coo over the well-stocked minibar (complete with Toblerone and blood-orange San Pellegrino), as well as an iron and ironing board, stashed in the chevron-patterned wardrobe. Veer right to the all-marble bathroom, stocked with Byredo amenities and boasting a particularly powerful shower.
Breakfast is served until 11.30am, and frankly, it will take you until then to get through the lengthy buffet spread. Start with granola and dried fruits, nuts and seeds and a hefty dollop of natural yoghurt.
Whip around to the far end of the counter for your fill of vegan-friendly hot-buffet options, as well as veal sausage and a delicious chive omelette, served with a side of smoked salmon. Finish with a batch of pancakes crowned with whipped cream and loganberry jam "for the table".
Choose from two restaurants - Bino and Noi. Head sub-terra to the popular with locals, Bino. The hotel's main restaurant (yes, you did have your breakfast here earlier) serves up a broad menu that will appeal to most palettes; we can't resist the salmon and tuna ceviche tacos.
For something with a Mediterranean edge, try Noi. This compact, street-facing restaurant serves some of the best Italian in the city. The fried red prawns with chilli garlic and parsley followed by lemon pie with Italian meringue, are well matched.
Yes - the Gold Bar, which opens at 5pm. Compact but alluring, it emotes "all that glitters" vibes with a Scandi twist. Think more cognac-coloured marble and mood lighting rather than gaudy and bedazzling.
Gym, spa and sauna.
Pack trousers with an elasticated and chunky knits. You'll likely eat a lot of cinnamon-laden carbohydrates while in town. Fika is the order of the day and we suggest branching out and ordering a kardemmummabullar (a modern take on the cinnamon bun - basically with more butter and cardamom-spiced) at your nearest Fabrique. Don't worry if you get lost - there's practically one on every corner. Three Fabrique locations are less than five minutes from Nobis.
The city's best shopping - from GANNI to Svekst Tenn - so leave your wallet in your hotel room if you want to avoid temptation.
Ride the subway and explore miles of painted and embellished train tunnels. Nearby Kungstradgarden, which dons a festive colour palette of green and red, is a standout.
If you fancy a bite beyond the hotel's confines, Eataly is just around the corner.