In Stockholm, a Hotel That’s Solid and Social

Rates

From about 1,350 Swedish kronor, or about $161.

Basics

The most promising property to emerge from Stockholm’s recent hotel boom is At Six, a 343-room establishment in a high-rise Brutalist building that formerly housed a bank. Opened in March 2017, the ambitious hotel is part of an urban renewal project aimed at transforming Brunkebergstorg, a once-dreary square in the city center, into a lively gathering point for visitors and locals alike. Polished and modern, the hotel’s monochrome gray interiors were designed by the London-based Universal Design Studio. An in-house curator chose artworks, including Sol LeWitt prints in the restaurant and an eight-foot-tall marble bust by Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa that sits on the lobby’s grandiose white-granite staircase.

Location

As central as it gets in Stockholm, Brunkebergstorg is within walking distance of most city sights. It’s a 10-minute walk to the central train station and five minutes to the nearest subway station.

The Room

On the 13th floor, my deluxe room (a middle-priced category) was a study in moody hues, with dove-gray walls and drapes, smoked-glass mirrors, a charcoal rug and wardrobes cloaked in soft indigo fabric. A black leather headboard framed a fluffy king-size bed with crisp white linens and a half-dozen pillows. Along one wall, a long green-marble desk offered a small work space with built-in outlets beside a TV, Bluetooth-enabled speakers, and a wooden tray with glassware and cocktail-making accouterments. Large glass sliding doors opened onto a balcony with two chairs and a small table overlooking the square below.

The Bathroom

Brass fixtures lent a luxurious feeling to the bathroom, which was tiled in beige stone with a slate-gray floor and excellent lighting. A glassed-in stall had a rainfall showerhead, and on the counter, an array of amenities included a scrub mitt, arctic facial scrub and blueberry-seed hand lotion from c/o Gerd, an organic beauty line from Swedish Lapland.

Amenities

Forgetful travelers will appreciate the “in-room shop” drawer with for-purchase packages of boxers, tights and special-edition socks from the Swedish brand Happy Socks. There’s also a well-equipped subterranean gym (borrow complimentary J. Lindeberg workout gear from reception) with trainers bookable for private sessions. In-room spa treatments are available around the clock. Wi-Fi is fast and free. Even the mini bar comes with suggested cocktail recipes like the Brunkopolitan (Absolut Vodka, cranberry juice and Cointreau).

Dining

Up one floor from the lobby, the stylish At Six dining room offers an impressively expansive breakfast buffet (included in my rate), as well as lunch, weekend brunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Room service is available at all hours, with offerings ranging from boiled eggs and caviar (795 kronor plus 95 kronor service charge) to avocado-and-lobster rolls (265 kronor). There’s also a cocktail bar and living-room-style listening lounge with high-end audio equipment where DJs host regular events. Next to the lobby, Blanche & Hierta is a cozy coffee shop and wine bar with outdoor seating on the square in the summer. Affiliated with the hotel, up an elevator in an adjacent building, is a bi-level drinking-and-dining destination called Tak. The buzzy restaurant, raw bar and rooftop terrace are run by the rising-star chef Frida Ronge, known for her Japanese-Nordic cuisine.

The Bottom Line

Despite the foreboding facade, this is a solid (if slightly impersonal) addition to the local scene with glossy interiors, amenities galore and packed social spaces.