Set in an imposing art deco landmark in Hörtorget, in what was once an illustrious department store known as P.U.B – where Greta Garbo once worked behind the hat counter – is this fabulous Haymarket by Scandic concept flagship, one of Stockholm’s most distinctive places to stay.
It must have been hard to reimagine a building that everyone in Stockholm knows so well, but when the U.K. based design consultancy Koncept was handed the design for the Haymarket by Scandic, they knew that they had to embellish the existing features so as to bring its roaring twenties heyday story to life. That’s just what they did with this art deco masterpiece: its staircases, communal spaces, elevators and chandeliers, bringing a 21st-century edge and contemporary interpretation to a classic piece of Stockholm’s architectural history.
Step off the busy square, Hörtorget (hay square… where an outdoor market still exists today) and enter a wonderland, hospitality playground, with a buzzy atmosphere, especially at happy hour. The lobby bar and cafe are great places to grab a coffee or something stronger like an artfully crafted cocktail, or perhaps two. You can choose to hobnob with trendy locals to the beats of a DJ on most evenings or pick a private booth for some more private time.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Hedonist | ARN | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| The hotel serves up some fine, inventive feel-good food but if you want something local (or hankering for international flavours), just head across the square to Hötorgshallen, a gourmet food market where you’ll be spoilt for choice. Our tip is to join the locals for lunch in the underground food court, where a warming fish-soup (ask for fisksoppa) or shrimp sandwich (skagen) is the way to go. |
Despite its boutique hotel feel, it’s quite a large hotel, with 401 rooms, craftily arranged over the Haymarket by Scandic’s eight floors. While it may be the norm not to want a room by the elevator, you might think again as the hotel’s corridors go on forever.
Wherever you end up, we know you’ll love your room. We really enjoyed our Grande Terrace Suite. It’s a touch on the feminine side, but truly elegant – and evokes the glory-days of filmmaking – a folly complete with velvet sofas, flamingo-pink carpet and flock wallpaper, mint-green surfaces, monochrome zig-zag pillows, an Art Deco armoire and movie-star bathroom mirror.
Back downstairs, a miniature concept store is laid out on some shelves right next to the reception, featuring souvenirs and accessories from Swedish makers. We wanted to take everything on sale home with us. It was just a taste of what’s on offer on Stockholm’s shopping streets outside the hotel’s doors. For the inside track on that, the hotel’s knowledgeable lifestyle concierge was the person to see.
Photography courtesy of Haymarket by Scandic
