Smack in the centre of the affluent Östermalm district, where Stockholm’s polished elegance converges with its heritage-rich cultural scene, Villa Dagmar is a lovingly curated luxury hotel weaving together threads of imagination, individuality and indulgence; not to mention, inclusivity.
Smack in the centre of the affluent Östermalm district, where Stockholm’s polished elegance converges with its heritage-rich cultural scene, Villa Dagmar is a lovingly curated luxury hotel that weaves together threads of imagination, individuality, and indulgence, not to mention inclusivity.
For seasoned travellers with a discerning eye, Sweden offers boutique luxury through its polished, five-star abodes. But despite its Scandi heart, Villa Dagmar differentiates itself with a generous serving of Mediterranean panache. While this may seem odd for an 1870s Art Nouveau Swedish townhouse, the hotel’s design and inspiration are drawn from iconic Italian villas, notably Villa D’Este in Rome and Villa San Michele in Capri. Its Italo-Scandi aesthetics and interiors are brought to life through a collaboration with local starchitects Tengbom Architects and Per Öberg Architect Design. The result speaks fluently to Stockholm’s reputation for Scandinavian minimalism but does so with a somewhat surprising Mediterranean inflection.
As we walked into the hotel, the sense of ‘la vita è bella’ instantly enveloped us. Central to Villa Dagmar’s charm is its large courtyard – The Garden – designed to resemble a bustling Italian piazza, all set beneath a luminous, latticed glass ceiling. It brings the outside in, particularly handy for the city’s Nordic climes. Here, guests sip their morning espressos or linger over a Negroni at dusk, prepared by the handsome mixologist who tends the al fresco bar. We enjoyed this space – a fabulous and vibrant social hub where we rubbed shoulders with chic, sun-kissed Östermalmers, probably discussing where and when their next Southern Italian holiday will be. To add to the reverie, we snacked on freshly baked Neapolitan pizza, surrounded by lush plants and the soft hum of conversation.
While we’re on food and drink, the Swedish-with-an-Italian-inflection ethos continues in Villa Dagmar’s other outlets. Its nook-ish bar, Dagges, offers a more intimate and private setting. And don’t let the rather simple name of its restaurant – ‘Restaurant’ – fool you; its kitchen is a love letter to Mediterranean cuisine, reimagined with Nordic sensibilities. Our dinner arrived like works of art – deceptively simple but imbued with layers of flavour that lingered. A plate of burrata and a refined steak tartare (Calabrian style) are just some examples of a menu kissed with seasonal produce from local farmers. The wine list is as thoughtful as the menu, championing biodynamic and small-production vintages. For breakfast, the spread is indulgently Scandinavian, complete with dark rye bread, silky gravlax, and a perfectly brewed cup of Swedish coffee (with perfectly flaky croissants to match). After all, Villa Dagmar has its own patisserie at the hotel.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Culturalist | ARN | GMT +1 |
| While you’re Out There |
| At Villa Dagmar, you’re steps away from the Östermalm Saluhall – quite literally, as the hotel is connected directly by a short flight of stairs to it – a food hall that is equal parts historic and contemporary. Its charming ambience offers an irresistible mix of fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, and locally sourced meats. Wander through its vibrant aisles, the air is filled with the mouthwatering aromas of freshly baked bread, smoked fish and gourmet delicacies. The blend of traditional Swedish flavours and international influences creates an inviting atmosphere, perfect for indulging in a leisurely meal or simply soaking in the lively, food-filled ambience. |
Upstairs, its 70 guest rooms and suites continue the story. Our Deluxe Room overlooked the courtyard and felt spacious, even if only at 28sqm / 300sqft. Our recommendation is to book a room higher than the Deluxe category, as, in our opinion, the standard and superior rooms are rather small, even if some come with a little balcony overlooking the Garden. Book one of their gorgeous suites if you’re after more space.
In any room, custom furnishings, eclectic wallpaper, and curated artwork coexist with plush bedding and indulgent touches that you’d expect of many hotels of this calibre. Yet, if you ask us, the greatest luxury of staying at Villa Dagmar might actually be the serenity. There is a true sense of intimacy here, with a level of service that makes you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s villa, rather than a hotel.
This said some OutThere travellers might find this approach a little too aloof. Albeit friendly and warm, we found that things happened a little slower than we expected, on occasion. Perhaps the team there are more on Med time than Swedish. And there are some things you’ll have to know about Swedish hospitality in general… for example, there’s no bellperson on hand to help with your luggage. So if you’re travelling to Stockholm and not packing light, or overindulge in Swedish fashion at nearby Biblioteksgatan, be sure to call reception for help, considering taxis can’t stop directly outside the hotel.
LGBTQI+ guests, however, will find the staff’s cordiality particularly reassuring. There’s no need to second-guess the simple joys of travel at Villa Dagmar – holding a partner’s hand, celebrating love, or asking for local recommendations. Villa Dagmar’s concierge team is particularly attuned to Stockholm’s LGBTQI+ offerings, from its nightlife to cultural highlights.
In a city celebrated for its progressive values, Villa Dagmar is also proud to be an impactful champion of inclusivity, particularly for LGBTQI+ travellers. Stockholm’s reputation as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world is well-earned, and Villa Dagmar seamlessly integrates itself by embodying the ethos of acceptance and celebration. The hotel was a founding member of Stockholm LGBT, for example, a network of queer-affirmative tourism providers in the capital. And we’re sure Villa Dagmar’s owner, Sune Malmström, won’t mind us telling you that the property is proudly gay-owned.
Moreover, the hotel’s namesake, Dagmar Bergsten – a globetrotting Malmström family member from generations past – was a trailblazer of her time, a woman whose vision and strength left an indelible mark on Stockholm society. Her spirit lives on in the hotel’s commitment to fostering connection and community.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Villa Dagmar and recommend it wholeheartedly to travellers visiting Stockholm for a city break or more. It captures the very essence of the city and its people – progressive, inclusive, beautiful and endlessly stylish… while offering a tastemaking experience that delicately balances ease and extravagance. Or as they’d say, Swedish lagom (the art of getting things just right) and Italian sprezzatura (extravagance)!
Photography courtesy of The Diplomat Collection
