Hotel Review: Stallmästaregården, Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™
Perched on the picturesque waters of Brunnsviken Bay, Stallmästaregården is a stately estate with centuries-old roots. Once beloved by Queen Kristina for its scenic and serene beauty, she would often ride her horse in this idyllic spot where Sweden’s first inn was established back in 1645. Respecting its heritage while delivering modern hospitality services, Nobis Hospitality Group manages this historic property that sparkles from breathtaking interiors courtesy of Rits Arkitekter AB and Richard Lundberg's stunning design work—all providing an unforgettable stay surrounded by natural wonders! Intrigued by its history, I decided to stay at Stallmästaregården, and here is my review of Stallmästaregården, Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™:
Stallmästaregården is located at Stallmästaregården, 113 47 Stockholm, Sweden.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of three Free Night Awards after spending $1,000 in three months, each covering up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 105,000 points offer worth $840. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Stallmästaregården is an excellent destination for visitors to Stockholm, offering easy access north of the city center. Making your way there with Uber will take around 10 minutes – perfect if you're looking to escape into nature and enjoy some family time in Haga Park or Fjärilshuset! This magical butterfly house brings together all the wonders of a tropical rainforest environment alongside an aquarium filled with fascinating marine life suitable for kids. Get ready to explore this serene location like never before.
Lobby & Check-In Review
Upon entering the hotel lobby, I was immediately captivated by its exquisite combination of modern and traditional design elements. Sleek light fixtures illuminated the sleek leather couches for a truly luxurious experience.
The lobby at Stallmästaregården was contemporary yet traditional.
Surrounded by traditional charm, a mix of old and new graciously welcomed me as I entered this historical hotel. Exposed beams on the ceiling and a classic fireplace in one corner delivered grandeur from times gone by.
The candles in the fireplace created a unique and safe ambiance.
Despite the limited natural lighting from its low ceiling, I found that the muted lobby was ideally suited to give off a tranquil ambiance. My check-in process began without delay, as one quick conversation with the helpful receptionist on duty gave me all I needed for an enjoyable stay.
The front desk was similar to what I would encounter at inns, and I liked the intimate atmosphere.
At check-in, the front desk agent was friendly and helpful in explaining breakfast hours. Unfortunately, she neglected to share details on additional amenities such as gym location or opening times. Additionally, a unique opportunity for engaging guests with hotel history may have been missed; Hotel Skeppsholmen did an excellent job by transforming its card key sleeve into a fact sheet featuring insights on its local area stories—it is ideas like these which can create lasting memories enriched through meaningful experiences held within each guest's journey. As this property does not typically cater to tourists, such efforts could help establish new traditions for visitors alike.
The furniture in the lobby was classical, giving me a glimpse of what my suite would look like.
After walking on the sun-drenched hallway to the other end of the hotel, you will find elevators that take guests to the upper floors.
The sun-drenched hallway spotlighted Stallmästaregården’s nature-focused design language.
Excited about a loft suite, I went up to the second floor, where my junior suite was located.
Living Room Review
Stepping into the room, I was instantly drawn in by a bright and cheerful living area. A navy velvet couch invited me to sit down with its soft embrace while an elegant oval coffee table gleamed against the sunlight radiating through the window.
I wasn’t partial to the color combination of the living room furniture.
My living room was equipped with the necessary amenities to make my stay enjoyable. A small flat-screen TV was carefully tucked underneath the staircase, but I had to angle it in order for an optimal viewing experience
The TV was mounted on a mobile stand that was heigh-adjustable.
There was a well-worn wooden work desk next to two sizeable French balcony windows that flooded the room with natural light and opened up onto a beautiful garden oasis below. As part of the hotel’s hospitality service, they provided me with a complimentary bottle of sparkling water on the desk as a welcome amenity.
The work desk and chair were tattered but oddly suited the hotel’s overall theme.
I had an idyllic view of nature's sanctuary from these windows—lush green gardens that provided a peaceful and soothing environment to relax and unwind.
From the living room, I could enjoy the courtyard outside, full of greeneries.
The living room featured a stunningly high, nearly 30-foot ceiling which brought an extra level of grandeur to the already impressive space. Contrary to my initial concerns, advanced cooling technology kept all areas at the perfect temperature, adding another layer of comfort and relaxation.
The living room wasn’t commodious, but the loft ceiling made the space airy.
The living room had cozy yet unexpected vibes with its decor and furniture color combination. While containing a sense of old-world charm due to the hotel’s long history, I wish some aspects like watermarks or scratches on the furniture were better polished.
Bedroom Review
The bedroom was on the upper level, so I had to take a flight of steep stairs to get there.
The stairs to the bedroom were steep, so be careful going up and down.
The bed was comfortable, and I didn’t feel too hot or cold during my sleep. The headboard was interesting because it was a cartoonish mural of two women serving food. I wasn’t sure about the mural's meaning or relationship to the hotel, but it wasn’t engaging since it lacked storytelling.
I wish the hotel had shared more information about the artwork, as it would build a meaningful connection with guests.
There was only one nightstand, and similar to the living room furniture, it had seen better days. Luckily, each bedside came with dimmable reading lights and a powerstrip for charging your electronic devices. Across from the TV was another flat-screen TV smaller than the living room TV.
The antique closet didn’t have glass panels and only featured inside curtains.
A mini-fridge was hidden in a cabinet directly below the TV but contained no minibar items. Luckily, it functioned well and cooled down my water bottles.
There were no minibar items in the fridge, but at least it was fully functional.
There was a closet in the corner, and it smelled funky and damp. It looked ancient, and I thought it didn’t fit the room’s overall aesthetics. Lastly, a Lavazza espresso machine was available in addition to instant Nescafé cappuccino and black coffee. The hotel kindly included English operational instructions for the espresso machine, and I didn’t have any trouble making myself a shot of espresso.
The wooden coffee table had seen better days and clearly showed water stains on the surface.
I was initially worried about the bedroom being too dim, but several starlights adequately brightened the space. You could even crank the windows above the bed open to ventilate the room. The bedroom had a circular window on the other end of the loft, and the hotel cleverly installed a blind so it could be shut at night.
You could pull the string to adjust the blind—what a clever design!
I took extra caution when adjusting the blind since I had to reach over the railing.
Be careful when you reach over the railing; you definitely don’t want to fall from this height.
Although the bedroom shared my same concern as the living room for worn-out furniture, staying in a loft unit was an extraordinary experience to stay in a loft unit. You won't be disappointed if you remember that Stallmästaregården is not a top-of-the-line luxury hotel with sophisticated in-room amenities.
Bathroom Review
The suite had two bathrooms: a master bathroom and a half bathroom. The master bathroom was on the lower level and was finished using black and white marble for the flooring and shower walls.
The primary bathroom was on the lower floor and utilized classic marble finishes on the vanity and shower.
The bathroom had a single sink vanity with a white marble top, and the toiletries were by Rituals–a Dutch brand known for calming fragrances.
The toiletries were inspired by the ancient Chinese notion of Jing—embodying calmness and tranquillity.
I enjoyed the mild scents of the Ritual products, but I ran into a hiccup with the sink. For some reason, the water would drain extremely slowly, but I didn’t bother raising a flag at the front desk because my stay was brief. The shower had a standard showerhead that doubled as a handheld version. The tub was deep enough to fit two people if you wanted. Even though the shower’s water pressure was average, the water temperature fluctuated during the shower. The temperature would swing briefly, but the water from the sink wasn’t affected.
It’s never pleasant to experience a water temperature change in the middle of a shower.
The half bath was on the upper level, providing convenience to guests so they won’t need to walk downstairs to use the master bath. The half bath was very simple and had a single sink vanity and a toilet. The sink was positioned relatively low, but other than that, I appreciated having another bathroom in a loft unit.
The half bath was on the upper floor, so you wouldn’t have to go downstairs in the middle of the night.
Another amenity I valued was that each bathroom had a hairdryer. Some may not value the perk, but whenever I travel with my fiancé, we both use a hairdryer every morning to blow-dry our hair. Hence, having two hairdryers would save us valuable time when getting ready in the morning. Both bathrooms had elegant finishes, and the half bath on the upper level offered me flexibility and convenience, especially at night. I hope the hotel can address the clogged sink in the master bath and water temperature fluctuation in the shower soon since they aren’t traits of a luxury hotel.
Gym Review
Unfortunately, Stallmästaregården didn’t have an onsite gym. However, the hotel partnered with a local fitness center–Optimal Fysik–where guests could exercise. Optimal Fysik also offers treatments like massage, which must be booked separately if desired. The one caveat is that you will need to walk for about 10 minutes to get to the gym. I didn’t visit the gym due to time constraints, but if you are interested, please stop by the front desk to get the passcode.
Stallmästaregården didn’t have an onsite gym, but you could visit a local gym for free.
Instead of going to the traditional gym, I explored the hotel’s surrounding outdoor spaces. The park next to the hotel was called Haga Park, part of the Royal National City Park. It is home to many attractions, such as Fjärilshuset. It is a family-friendly attraction, and you can visit a butterfly house in a tropical rainforest setting and look at numerous marine animals at the aquarium. Haga Park is home to Haga Palace, where Crown Princess Victoria resides. Keep in mind that Haga Palace is not open to the public, as the royal family still lives there.
Haga Park is home to Haga Palace, where the Crown Princess of Sweden, Victoria, resides.
The trail for the park was right by the hotel, making it accessible for guests. While jogging on the course, I saw local Swedish people running or riding bicycles on the trail. I also noticed boat docks; on the water, people were kayaking, and ducks were soaking up the sun.
Why need a gym when a gorgeous park is right outside the hotel?
After jogging for a few minutes, I encountered clay tennis courts where locals played tennis in the morning.
Haga Park has outdoor clay and hard courts, but you must reserve a court before using it.
The park gave me a positive impression because everyone seemed peaceful and relaxed. On my way back to the hotel, I realized why the hotel didn’t have an indoor gym. Perhaps, the addition of a gym wasn’t allowed because Stallmästaregården is a historical property, but more importantly, I don’t think having an onsite gym would be necessary with direct access to Haga Park.
Walking or jogging along the trail in Haga Park was a superb outdoor adventure.
Thus, if you are flexible with your schedule, take some time and explore the park. You could picnic on the grass or casually wander around the park to immerse yourself in Swedish outdoor life. Besides, if you really want to lift weights and work out indoors, you can reach the gym in 10 minutes on foot.
You won’t need to travel far to take advantage of Stallmästaregården’s nature-friendly design.
If you don’t want to do either of them, you can relax in the courtyard and take advantage of the peaceful nature away from the hustle and bustle of Stockholm.
Lunch Review
Before I headed out to explore Stockholm, I stopped by the hotel restaurant to have lunch. The restaurant had indoor and outdoor seating options available, and the inside of the restaurant was empty since most guests were enjoying food in the beautiful weather outside.
The restaurant’s indoor space was handsomely decorated, but the outdoor setting was more appealing with pleasant fall weather.
The inside of the restaurant was aptly decorated with illustrations of horses, and there was even a larger dining room for a group event.
Stallmästaregården had a group dining room, perfect for a wedding after-party.
Since I would dine inside the retreatant for breakfast tomorrow, I chose to have lunch outdoors.
The outdoor table setup was gorgeous, and many guests dined outside to enjoy the sunny weather.
I wanted to try something very Swedish, and one of the classic Nordic dishes is Smørrebrød, which consists of a piece of rye bread topped with cold cuts, meats, fish, cheese, or spread.
Though the lunch menu was expensive, the food quality reflected its high price points.
I ordered a Räkmacka-an open-faced shrimp sandwich. It came out fairly quickly and had a heaping portion of baby shrimp.
Smørrebrød is a must-try item when you are in the Nordic region.
The shrimps were naturally sweet and tender. However, you won’t relish this sandwich if you don’t enjoy eating seafood. Though I think the shrimp sandwich is on the lower scale of adventurous Nordic food, it’s something to keep in mind before ordering.
Breakfast Review
Because the hotel had only one onsite restaurant, the same venue also served breakfast. Since it was complimentary, check-in wasn’t necessary. The indoor dining space had a great ambiance. Given the hotel’s history, it was fitting to have a modern farm-style atmosphere with exposed beams in the ceiling and candles on every table.
The modern farmhouse vibe was perfect for Stallmästaregården, given its heritage.
The breakfast was served buffet style and was presented beautifully.
The breakfast buffet was complimentary for all guests, so there was no reason to skip it.
Hot dishes were in Le Cruset cast iron pots, placed on top of an electric warmer to keep them warm.
Thanks to the electric warmer, hot dishes like scrambled eggs stayed warm throughout the dining experience.
Scrambled eggs were buttery soft, and the Swedish chicken breakfast sausages were a little saltier than the ones I had at Nobis Hotel Stockholm but had a nice snap.
The breakfast food had a homemade feel with refined flavors.
My favorites were sautéed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Both were robust in flavor and added more warmth to the breakfast experience.
While the breakfast food seemed rustic, they were refined and brought out natural flavors from high-quality ingredients.
The bread station was more limited than I expected, but every piece of bread was superb in quality. I especially liked the dark Swedish rye bread, packed with flavors and only needed a smear of butter.
Take a slice of dark rye bread and create your own version of Smørrebrød.
The meat and cheese station had an excellent selection, but I think the offering at Nobis Hotel Stockholm was fresher. The muesli station was extensive, with many toppings choices.
I supplemented overnight oats with these healthy toppings.
As for beverages, you could ask one of the servers to brew you an espresso-based drink, but I opted for apple juice and orange juice. If you want healthier options, the restaurant has healthy shots, so feel free to take advantage of the offerings. I spotted caviar tubes next to overnight oats when building my breakfast plate.
The flavor profile of the caviar was more pungent than I expected.
I was curious about what it was, and when I tried it, its flavor resembled salty pollock roe, a typical dish in Korea and Japan. I could see it being a popular option among Swedish people, but it may be too fishy for average American folks. Regardless of how traditional dishes taste, breakfast is complimentary for all guests in the hotel, so make a visit in the morning and dine in style.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
Stallmästaregården can offer a unique lodging experience. The hotel is full of history, and you can get traditional Swedish dishes at the hotel restaurant or spend a night at the loft suite.
The hotel is virtually a part of the Royal National City Park, and guests have access to the beautiful Haga Park and immerse themselves in Swedish nature—perfect for those who prefer outdoor activities.
Negatives
The hotel’s location may not be ideal for people visiting Stockholm for the first time. Getting to the hotel from the city center can be time-consuming unless you take a taxi or drive a car. However, an Uber ride from the City Hall costs about 120 SEK, so don’t let the location discourage you if you want to stay at Stallmästaregården.
Some of the amenities and finishes in the room may not impress you. The hotel doesn’t have an onsite gym, and many pieces of furniture in my loft suite showed visible wear and tear. As long as you set your expectations aligned before checking in to the hotel, you won’t be surprised.
At the end of my stay, I could understand why Queen Kristina frequented the area in the summer.
Summary
Stallmästaregården is not your typical touristy hotel. It was Sweden’s first inn and offered a tranquil setting overlooking Brunnsviken Bay. The hotel is part of the Design Hotels portfolio and utilizes modern and traditional design elements harmoniously, from the hotel lobby to the onsite restaurant. Even though my loft suite was rustic and I encountered a few hiccups with the master bath, the suite offered a unique lodging experience. Stallmästaregården didn’t have an onsite gym, but I could access incredible Swedish outdoor right by the hotel, thanks to Haga Park. Both breakfast and lunch at the onsite restaurant were phenomenal, and the interior design team elegantly executed the farm-style setting in the dining room. Stallmästaregården may not be for everyone; Nonetheless, it could be an excellent choice if you want to escape from the busy city feel of Stockholm.
