Hotel Review: Nobis Hotel Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™
Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the birthplace of the famous psychological condition Stockholm Syndrome, which was based on the Norrmalmstorg Robbery in 1973. The incident happened when four employees at Kreditbanken at the Norrmalmstorg Square were taken as hostages. Stockholm Syndrom is a fascinating condition, and when I visited Stockholm, I learned that Nobis Hotel Stockholm used to be what Kreditbanken once was. Nobis Hotel Stockholm is a member of the Design Hotels collection, and hotel rooms were designed by legendary architecture and design firm—Claesson Koivisto Rune. After learning about the hotel, I had to book my stay there, and I’m glad to report that I was very pleased with the design-centric lodging experience at Nobis Hotel Stockholm. Here is my review of Nobis Hotel Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™:
Nobis Hotel Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™ is located at Norrmalmstorg 2-4, 111 86 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 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 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
The location of Nobis Hotel Stockholm is perfect for folks visiting Stockholm for the first time or veterans who enjoy shopping at high-end shops. The hotel is a few steps away from designer shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Celine. It is also relatively close to notable attractions like Hallwyl Museum and The Royal Palace, making it convenient to visit places on foot.
Lobby & Check-In Review
My visit was during the Labor Day weekend, so the hotel was quite crowded with guests. The lobby was delicately curated and was full of wonderful Scandinavian design elements.
There is a concierge desk in the lobby if you need assistance booking restaurants or arranging a ride to Arlanda airport.
For instance, a collection of various shapes of circular light shades were hanging from the ceiling, and square and circular-shaped felt seats were playfully scattered on the floor. The felt seats were not only eco-friendly but also comfortable.
Each light shade was in a different shape, size, and pattern—catching both design and functionality.
The check-in process was smooth, and upon checking in, I was delighted to find out that I’d been upgraded to a suite. However, I was disheartened to learn that breakfast wasn’t included in my stay. Since Nobis Stockholm is an affiliate of the Marriott Bonvoy program, according to the front desk representative, the breakfast wouldn't be complimentary even with my Titanium Elite status. After learning the details of the hotel amenities, I grabbed my keys and went up to the fourth floor, where my suite was located.
Look at this mesmerizing spiral staircase at Nobis Hotel Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™.
Bedroom Review
I was immediately greeted with a beautiful living space when I entered my suite.
I absolutely adored this beautiful living space; The sofa was extra deep, and it was reviving to see real flowers.
The soft blue velvet low-back couch reminded me of Marriott Dallas Uptown, but this couch was genuinely comfortable. The low profile of the sofa accentuated the high ceiling of the room. The arc floor lamp interestingly complemented the round rug on the floor since the rug was in the shape of a half-moon. A welcome amenity was on the white marble coffee table and consisted of a plate of sliced strawberries, chocolate truffles, bottled water, and a kindly written note from the Front House Manager.
Thank you Nobis Hotel Stockholm for spoiling me with these delicious treats and a kind message!
The chocolate truffles were decadent and paired very well with the strawberries. I always appreciate it when the hotel recognizes my Titanium Elite status, and a welcome amenity is a great way to kickstart the connection between the hotel and guests. Next to the couch was a tiny work desk and a double closet with a minibar.
The work desk was relatively small, but the suite had ample closet space.
The closet space discreetly hid a mini-fridge, fully stocked with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Both sparkling and still water bottles were complimentary with my Marriott Bonvoy status.
A Lavazza espresso machine and various snacks for late-night munchies were in the middle of the closet.
Try some Swedish candies and chocolates at your convenience. I liked KEX for its crispy texture.
The bed had an attractive two-toned headboard; the top half was made of glossy black acrylic, and the bottom half was leather wrapped.
The bedroom featured a brilliant nightstand that doubled as mood lighting.
Because the hotel placed the acrylic board on the top portion, it was free of fingerprints and reflected lights, adding a layer of intricacy to the room. The bed used a mattress from DUX, and I was excited to sleep on it. As expected, it lived up to the company’s reputation, and I had a very restful sleep. The bed had only one nightstand. However, it was a brilliant piece of practical Nordic design because you could turn on the nightstand and double it as mood lighting. The reading lights on each side of the bed were dimmable, so you could respect your partner’s space if you were to share the bed. The suite had many windows to let the sun into both the living space and bedroom, and I could see the Norrmalmstorg Square from the bedroom.
From the suite, you can see the Norrmalmstorg Square, where Stockholm Syndrome originated.
Lastly, the TV wasn’t a smart TV, but you could watch YouTube on it, and it was mounted on a movable stand, which meant you could position it however you wanted and could watch TV from either the bed or the couch.
The TV stand was mobile, and I could move the TV stand to wherever I wanted to.
A minor downside of the bedroom was that it had thin walls. Sometimes, I could hear guests talking or housekeepers cleaning adjacent rooms. It didn’t keep me from waking up, but something to note if you are a light sleeper. Other than that, I loved the design of the room, especially its meaningful design elements. For instance, wall-mounted coat hangers on the wall were functional and didn't compromise the design.
Even simple coat hangers on the wall were design-forward and functioned well.
The utilitarian yet minimalistic design of the bedroom was genuinely impressive, and I was thrilled to see more of Nobis Hotel Stockholm.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom was full of gray marble from the floor to the walls, and the portions without the marble were lined with mirrors.
The bathroom was marvelously finished, and mirrored walls increased the overall brightness of the room.
The bathroom featured a single-sink vanity, and the sink had a removable patterned cover. I wasn’t entirely sure if I was supposed to remove it before using the sink, but I kept it in its original position and used the sink with it. Other than its design, I am still unsure whether it had a purpose other than the design.
I had never seen a sink design like this before, and I wonder if the hotel could easily change the design when new ones become available.
The toilet came with a handheld bidet sprayer, and the bathroom had both a walk-in shower and a tub. The shower had only a handheld shower head, but the shower fixture allowed it to be placed directly above the head, effectively turning it into a rainfall shower head. Thus, the shower experience was great, but the problem was with the shower door.
It wasn't easy to find areas that didn't use marble, and the shower was versatile, thanks to its configuration.
There was a noticeable gap between the shower floor and the shower door. Moreover, the shower floor was nearly on the same level as the bathroom floor. Had the shower floor been leveled below the bathroom floor, I’d have been able to prevent water from spilling over. As a result, I had to use a towel or two to wipe up the water on the bathroom floor after each shower. On the other hand, the bathtub was spacious, and with high water pressure, the tub was filled very quickly.
I used the sauna at the gym and rejuvenated by taking a bath at night.
The toiletries were by Byredo—a chic Swedish perfume brand. As predicted, the scent was very pleasant, and I appreciated the sizable volume of toiletries.
Bal d’Afrique scent by Byredo had delightful and harmonious notes of African Marigold, Bergamot, Cyclamen, and Moroccan Cedarwood.
I enjoyed the premium finishes of the bathroom and Byredo products, but I absolutely loved the luxurious feeling of bathrobes and towels. They were thick, heavy, and extremely soft. It was unfortunate that I experienced the water spillage issue with the shower because hadn’t I encountered that, the bathroom would’ve been utterly perfect.
Spa Review—HEAT x Nobis Hotel Stockholm
Shortly after checking in, I found out the hotel has a pop-up collaboration with HEAT by Sophia Lie, which is a high-tech wellness treatment center in Stockholm. The pop-up offers a full-spectrum infrared sauna, LPG therapy, and cutting-edge beauty treatments like LED facials and cryotherapy. The pop-up was located on the hotel's first floor, and if you didn’t want to leave your room, HEAT also offered the HEAT Infrared Sauna Blanket as an in-room service. You would wrap your body in pure heat and sweat it out, detoxifying the body.
I hope HEAT by Sophia Lie finds a permanent home in Nobis Hotel Stockholm because I would love to experience other spa offerings when I revisit Stockholm.
Because I flew in from the US a few hours ago, my legs were swollen and heavy. Thus, it made perfect sense to do a quick 10-minute compression therapy to feel light on my feet for a long day ahead. The 10-minute compression therapy cost me 295 SEK, and I made the reservation online to guarantee a spot. The spa was surprisingly popular with guests, as the waiting area was full of guests.
You can hang around in this waiting area or browse spa products by the reception desk.
While I waited for my turn, I browsed some merchandise by HEAT, and the spa sold everything from water bottles to heat blankets.
You can take home a wrinkle reducing wearable LED mask or hydrate your body with HEAT’s signature natural electrolyte powder.
I sat in the corner lounge chair, and the spa employee did a quick rundown of how the compressor works since it was my first time doing compression therapy.
I was initially intimidated, but the spa receptionist kindly explained and walked through the device.
The leg compression therapy was terrific. My legs definitely felt lighter, and my body was more energized.
The leg compression therapy was definitely worth it, especially after a long, transatlantic flight.
If you happen to stay at Nobis Hotel Stockholm while the collaboration with HEAT is still ongoing. In that case, I highly recommend using their service to recover from feeling jetlagged, so you can spend more time exploring Stockholm.
Gym Review
After the compression therapy, I decided to have a quick workout at the gym, located at the end of the hallway on the first floor. The gym was quite packed with equipment, but it had everything you needed and more.
Because only some areas were padded, I had to make sure to balance my bench for stability,
The fitness center featured many LifeFitness strength machines targeting specific muscle groups, as well as an all-in-one machine that covered a variety of exercise routines alone.
Although the dumbbells didn’t go as heavy as American gyms usually do, the all-in-one machine could push you to reasonable limits.
Though the actual floor of the gym was made of wood, the strength area was padded with thick floor mats so that the flooring was protected from heavy weights. I’m sure the mats provided the protection needed for the floor, but some of the ends were slightly curled up, creating an uneven layout.
The cardio machines were slightly older versions, but I was happy with the gym’s size since European gyms tend to be smaller.
The other half of the gym was dedicated to cardio gear. There were treadmills, ellipticals, and a clear fridge full of bottled still water.
If you need complimentary bottled water, stop by the gym.
At that point, I thought I’d seen all parts of the gym, but another door opened to saunas—regular sauna and steam room. Since Scandinavians love saunas, it only made sense for the gym to have them so guests could soothe their muscles after working out. I was advised to start the sauna right before I exercised since it would take about 30 minutes to warm up.
Make sure to start the sauna 30 minutes before you use it.
The sauna and steam room were practical amenities that anyone could enjoy, and they instantly became my favorite part of the gym. Whether you were on foot all day long exploring the Old Town or just got off an 8-hour international flight, it will rejuvenate your skin and help you relax your muscles. The gym would’ve been relatively mundane had the sauna didn’t exist, but it indeed turned the gym experience into something more memorable and unique, in my opinion.
Lounge & Bar Review
If you want to have a quick coffee break, check out the hotel’s lounge on the ground floor. It is located a few steps away from the front desk, and you can experience Swedish interior design and its minimalism.
It was interesting to see an oversized portrait art of Zac Efron in Sweden.
The lounge was divided into four separate areas, each “living room” being furnished differently.
The lounge curated a collection of minimalistic and artfully crafted Scandinavian furniture.
The lounge had individual seats and tables to the sides should you want more personal space. Nonetheless, the highlight of the lounge was the ceiling; it was nearly 92 feet tall and had two large skylights to let a healthy amount of natural light into the lounge.
Look at the massive ceiling! It didn’t feel like I was inside a hotel.
While lounge access is complimentary to hotel guests, if you are not staying at Nobis Hotel Stockholm and would like to visit, you could enjoy the space by paying 250 SEK per person. The lounge access includes coffee and free Wi-Fi, so it’s not a terrible deal if you are looking for a quiet coworking space. However, be aware that the lounge becomes computer-free after 4 PM.
At night, you can even order oysters and caviar in the lounge. Pair them with champagne.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to spend time at the hotel’s bar—The Gold Bar. As the name suggests, The walls were covered in gold mirrors, and lights reflected in multiple ways, creating an interesting atmosphere. When I glanced at the menu, the cocktails looked promising, and I will have to try a drink or two at The Gold Bar the next time I stay at Nobis Hotel Stockholm.
Try The Gold Bar’s innovative signature cocktails named after popular cities like Stockholm, Paris, and Fukushima.
Breakfast Review—NOI
The breakfast was served at NOI, which cost hotel guests 189 SEK per person, and it would cost non-hotel guests 245 SEK per person. I wonder what dictates the rule because I stayed at other hotels in Stockholm under the Design Member group, and they offered complimentary breakfast for Marriott Elites.
From the lobby, head downstairs to dine at NOI.
Despite the fact that the restaurant was on the basement level, the dining area was warm and stylish.
NOI manifested Nordic design by using natural materials that were practical and minimalistic.
The restaurant utilized aesthetic wooden furniture and supplied the environment with plants and flowers, reinvigorating the floor.
NOI has an extensive wine list, should you want to dine in for dinner.
Upon arrival, I was seated immediately, and the breakfast was served buffet style. Instead of traditional pancakes and breakfast sausages, the restaurant had crepes and Swedish sausages, which had a nice snap. Crepes were great vessels for sweet and savory items, and I accompanied whipped cream and blueberry compote in my crepe to turn it into a sweet dish.
I made a delicious treat out of crepes, topped with whipped cream and blueberry compote for delightful sweetness.
Omelets with chives and bacon were available as well. The bacon was too crispy for my taste, and the omelet was far superior to American omelets, but they were slightly dry. The bread station was more minor than French or Spanish hotels, but everything was fresh and delicious.
Indulge in an array of tantalizing flavors at the bread station, offering guests a delightful selection from savory to sweet.
I especially liked sugared croissants. When I bit into mine, I was surprised to find cinnamon filling inside. I should’ve known better that it was the restaurant’s interpretation of Kanelbulle, a Swedish version of a cinnamon roll.
The croissant with Swedish pearl sugar had cinnamon filling inside, making it an extra buttery Kanelbulle.
The croissant was perfectly flakey and sweet but not overwhelmingly rich. The meat and cheese station had a generous selection.
My favorite way of enjoying smoked salmon was with the housemade dill sauce.
My favorite was smoked turkey and smoked salmon. The housemade, sweet and sour dill sauce complemented the smoked salmon very well. I’m not a muesli guy, but given its significant presence in Europe, the muesli station was quite extensive. With so many toppings, the flavor combination was essentially endless.
The buffet had endless topping combinations for muesli.
For beverages, a waitress took my coffee order as I sat down. I ordered a cappuccino, and it had the perfect crema. The buffet had a nice juice station with eight different kinds of freshly squeezed juices. I went with traditional orange and apple juice, both refreshing. Along with the Kanelbulle-Croissant, perhaps my favorite was fresh fruit. I made myself a fruit bowl, and every single piece of fruit was fresh and juicy to the point I thought additional sugar was added to the fruits.
The fruit platter was one of my favorites, and the passion fruit was bursting with a tropical citrusy flavor.
Overall, the breakfast at NOI was fabulous. I wish the hotel covered breakfast for Platinum Elite and higher Elite members, but for 189 SEK, it was more than worth it. I highly recommend having breakfast at NOI while staying at Nobis Hotel Stockholm.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The location of Nobis Stockholm cannot be beaten. It is close to great attractions such as The Royal Palace, and you are close to luxury retailers if you are into shopping for high-end designer goods. If you are visiting Stockholm for the first time, you should choose the hotel for its convenience.
The level of hospitality I experienced at the hotel was remarkable. Every staff member was friendly and knowledgeable, and the Front House Manager, Diego, even followed up with me after checking out to ensure my stay was comfortable and smooth.
Nobis Hotel Stockholm truly embraced its brand identity as a member of the Design Hotel collection. The hotel was full of unique design elements without compromising functionality and practicality.
Negatives
The bathroom was stunning, but water inevitably escaped the shower booth whenever I took a shower. I wonder if a rubber seal strip was missing from the shower door. Regardless of the spillage, every shower was refreshing, thanks to the rainfall shower head.
Nobis Hotel Stockholm was an outstanding property with remarkable design elements.
Summary
Nobis Hotel Stockholm, a Member of Design Hotels™, was the first Nobis hotel I stayed at. Located in the famous Normalmstorg Square, Nobis Hotel Stockholm was the birthplace of Stockholm Syndrome. As a Design Member hotel, Nobis Hotel Stockholm was artfully designed by the legendary design firm, Claesson Koivisto Rune, with a Swedish utilitarian design approach in mind. My suite was beautifully designed with intention, and I loved meaningful interior design elements that didn’t compromise their aesthetics. Though water spilled over to the bathroom floor every time I took a shower, I loved taking a warm bath after a long day in Stockholm. Having an indoor sauna was an excellent way to decompress after working out, and if you want a more structured wellness treatment, don’t forget to check out the pop-up collaboration with HEAT by Sophia Lie. Lastly, there is no need to book a breakfast spot in the morning; simply head down to NOI for a superb breakfast. Nobis Hotel Stockholm’s strategic location and the utmost level of service from the staff make it an obvious lodging choice for first-time visitors and veteran travelers exploring Stockholm. I strongly recommend staying at Nobis Hotel Stockholm when you visit the capital of Sweden.
