For a boutique hotel packed with luxury design, historic touches, modern comforts, and a great location, Bank Hotel is definitely worth checking out when visiting the Swedish capital of Stockholm. We were charmed by the wonderful team that welcomed us, tucked into a breakfast feast, and fell head over heels for the romantic rooftop bar.
Location
We loved the location of Bank Hotel. You are in the heart of Stockholm, steps from the best shopping and some top restaurants and steps from the waterfront too. Perfect in a city where you will want to hop on and off of boats on a wonderfully regular basis! Situated in the sophisticated Östermalm district, the hotel is just minutes away on foot from Strandvägen and Stureplan.
We strolled to the Kungsträdgården Park, an oasis in the heart of the city lined with bars and restaurants and literally 200 meters from the hotel, as is the Royal Palace itself. We also enjoyed a boat ride to the nearby island of Djurgården, home to several top museums, including Vasa Museum and the historic Gröna Lund Amusement Park. The Kungsträdgården metro station is about a minute’s walk away and Stockholm Arlanda Airport is a 42 km drive from the hotel and takes around 45 minutes by car.
Style & Character
Housed in a landmark building that was indeed a bank, Bank Hotel can be found tucked down a quiet side street. There is a genuine and relaxed elegance about the hotel; the furnishings are stylish and perfectly tailored to their historic home, yet this is no dated relic. The hotel is contemporary. The latest finishings and modern art can be found in the guest rooms and throughout the main hotel. We really liked the grand entrance to the hotel. You come upon a huge brass door with wide, red-velvet-lined steps that take you up and into the hotel. The hallway leads directly to the vast restaurant, and the main reception room is just off to the right.
Rooms
There’s a wide range of choices for your room with 11 room categories, of which 6 are expansive suites. All rooms include minibars, coffee machines, and the usual extras like fluffy robes and slippers. Room up for more space, better views, and if you can push the budget, the top suites also offer large terraces so you can appreciate a panoramic view of the city below from your own space. Most of the rooms are large enough to include an armchair and side table comfortably. Our suite also added a two-seater velvet sofa, ideal for relaxing after a day on our feet meandering the streets of Stockholm.
The rooms have the same class, style, and elegance as the rest of the hotel, but the décor is calmer, perfect for aiding relaxation and a great night’s sleep. All the rooms are light and airy, decorated in pale, neutral tones to reflect the light, and are accentuated with modern art. I loved the finish to the room and the little extras – we had a shoe horn, the coffee table books were ones I really wanted to read, and the lighting has clearly been carefully considered – something I appreciate in a hotel room. Our huge bathroom was a treat, with probably the largest walk-in shower I’ve ever seen! I loved the lighted mirror, too, and they’d thought of everything with the range of amenities.
Service & Facilities
There is a gym that is open 24/7, complimentary Wi-Fi, and they will happily store luggage for you. The team here is an absolute treat. We were embraced with a warm and genuine welcome from the moment we arrived, which set the tone for our entire stay.
They showed a genuine interest in our adventures, eagerly inquiring about our Stockholm itinerary, and were happy to furnish us with valuable tips and insider knowledge. Every interaction with the team, whether passing through the reception area or seeking assistance, was met with a cheerful greeting and nothing was too much trouble. The people behind the scenes truly make a difference, and the team at Bank Hotel embodies this philosophy wholeheartedly.
Food & Drink
The restaurant at Bank Hotel is named Bonnie’s, totally fabulously named for Bonnie and Clyde, the infamous bank robbers. A wonderful humorous touch that keeps the building’s banking history firmly in your mind! It’s housed in the old bank hall, but the large space is transformed with a high glass ceiling, opulent chandeliers, deep green velvet seating, and ruby red carpeting. As well as being an excellent restaurant by night, this is also where you can start your day with a very generous breakfast. They serve that optimum combination, in my eyes anyway, of a buffet with a hot food menu alongside. The fruit was standout delicious, as was my Eggs Benedict. I just about resisted a sea of pastries and cereals, but the rest of my party did not! Suffice to say we were well set up for a day in Stockholm.
Come evening, you have decisions. As well as a return to Bonnie’s, you have a choice of bars, with the mahogany-panelled ultra-sophisticated Papillon Bar and the discerning and exclusive Sophie’s Bar both being hugely popular options. However, we opted for Le Hibou, their roof terrace bar, and were delighted and somewhat smug with our choice! The beautiful décor was unexpected; the interior is apparently inspired by an exclusive Parisian suite and this is just the vibe they’ve achieved. The city views as the sun set across Stockholm were as blissful as their drinks (their cocktails are named for the varying views) and accompanying light bites.
Conclusion
The team’s dedication to providing unparalleled hospitality at Bank Hotel transforms a stay into an experience. Couple this with the carefully curated and achingly elegant interiors, an enviable collection of vibrant bars – each with its own unique charm and character; a standout restaurant, and, of course, a fantastic central location, and you have the unequivocal choice for your next Stockholm sojourn.
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