Since it emerged on the Stockholm hospitality scene, Ett Hem has become known as the top dog for luxurious places to stay in the city. We return some years after its launch to discover why it remains one of the most talked-about luxury boutique properties in Sweden, perhaps even in Scandinavia.
The simply breathtaking, 25-suite boutique hotel, Ett Hem, is set in a majestic 1910s Swedish Arts and Crafts townhouse in the genteel, diplomatic quarter of the capital, Lärkstaden.
No stone – artwork, antique, textile, furniture, garden, kitchen, or luggage tag – has been left unturned here. Even with the cultural delights of Stockholm right on our doorstep, we quickly realised that Ett Hem is a destination and an attraction in its own right.
The hotel’s visionary owner, Jeanette Mix, has lovingly crafted the ultimate home away from home, completely from scratch. True to its name, Ett Hem – meaning “at home” – is a new take on luxury hospitality. At Ett Hem, the distinction between guest and family blurs, and the line between a hotel and a home vanishes entirely. Except that, in our own home, we wouldn’t find ourselves audibly gasping as every door revealed yet another stunning Imaginarium by interior designer Ilse Crawford (look out for the custom-designed bar in the living room and its miniature counterpart in each suite).
From the moment we stepped through Ett Hem’s gates, we entered a sanctuary that felt worlds away from the conventional hotel experience. It was a place of extreme privacy, intimacy and comfort, designed for travellers who value discretion and genuine warmth. That ethos extends to everyone who stays – including those from the LGBTQI+ community – as Ett Hem is a proud member of Stockholm LGBT, the city’s ‘rainbow family’ of LGBTQI+-affirmative tourism providers.
The exquisite contemporary design featured throughout the property, yet never sacrificed comfort for style. Guests are encouraged to treat it as their own home – a sentiment voiced to us several times during our stay. The atmosphere was always informal and relaxed, something we particularly appreciated. The property never once felt overrun with staff despite its five-star designation and the hand-picked team of fabulous hosts was always on hand to help, appearing from discreet doors or stairways exactly when we needed them.
No two rooms at Ett Hem are alike, and every detail has been meticulously considered to create an environment as stylish as it is supremely comfortable. The aesthetic brings together vintage Scandinavian furniture, contemporary design and personal touches from the owner. Our suite was a calming sanctuary, featuring a luxurious bed (the Swedes are renowned for their bedmaking skills, FYI), dressed in crisp linens, a seating area perfect for languid afternoons and a Carrara marble-clad bathroom. Thoughtful touches – a stack of curated books, a vase of fresh flowers, and a basket of Swedish snacks – made the space feel less like a hotel room and more like the cherished guest room in a friend’s home.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Insider | ARN | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Close to Ett Hem, you’ll find the infamous Stadion T-bana (metro) station. Pass the ticket barriers and descend to the platforms where you’ll quickly come across a giant rainbow mural, painted onto the walls and ceiling. It’s part of the infamous public art installations in Stockholm’s underground railway system, you’ll find something that will blow you away in every station. |
Frankly, it was hard to tear ourselves away from the suite, but the communal spaces at Ett Hem were equally inviting. One afternoon, we were beckoned by an A-list celebrity to join them for tea in the conservatory (their identity must remain a secret, but we can confirm they were as captivated by the place as we were). We also found ourselves drawn to the stunning subterranean hammam and spa space, for indulgent relaxation. We often wandered into the open kitchen to raid the fridge or chat with the chef about fika, foraged mushroom flan, or a fillet steak. We suspect that if we had requested all three together in one meal, they wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.
It’s a rare kind of luxury, this… one that feels deeply personal and entirely unpretentious. Ett Hem serves as a reminder that sometimes, the greatest luxury is simply feeling right at home.
This ethos extends to every corner of the property. Guests are invited to pour themselves a drink from the bespoke bar or curl up with a book from the well-stocked library. And then there’s the pièce de résistance: the garden. This lush, green oasis is a rarity in Stockholm. Staying here during one of the city’s characteristically long summer days, we spent hours in the garden – enjoying breakfast al fresco, and later, sipping ice-cold rosé under the stars after a day of exploring.
Ett Hem is impossible to fault. If there’s one criticism we’d make, it’s that leaving is far too difficult. Once we’d settled in, checking out felt like a true struggle. The world beyond its doors – even a city as captivating as Stockholm – seemed almost intrusive after experiencing the comfort and care within.
Photography courtesy of Ett Hem
