May 30, 2007

Europe | Sweden | Stockholm

The Stockholm Seduction

By Mark Jolly

Reindeer cold-cuts, anyone?

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You never forget your first smörgåsbord. We are, of course, talking about the singular experience at the Veranda of the Grand Hotel, Stockholm — one of the last remaining bastions in the Swedish capital where you can negotiate the traditional national buffet. Which means no end of sweet pickled herring, reindeer cold-cuts, top-grade smoked salmon and meatballs with lingonberries — accompanied by the hotel’s own 1874 Grand Aquavit. And enjoyed with sweeping views over the harbor, old town and royal palace.

But tradition, even at Stockholm’s grand dame, must sometimes make way for innovation. And so the historic waterfront institution has just unveiled its spectacular revamp. Said revamp includes the brand new eponymous restaurant of Mathias Dahlgren (showcasing a daily changing menu of regional Swedish cuisine). In addition, the hotel has finally purchased its neighbor, Burmanska Palace (after trying to acquire it for 135 years), and transformed it into 26 luxury rooms. The crown to the new kingdom? A 3,550 square-foot penthouse suite, which is not only among the largest in Europe, but comes replete with its own private gym, and a cinema that seats up to 12 people. Oh, and don’t worry, the smörgåsbord’s still going strong.