Stockholm is a city of islands, and during my recent visit, I stayed on one of its most peaceful. Skeppsholmen sits in the heart of the Swedish capital, surrounded by water and connected to the city's historic center by a bridge. Yet arriving there felt like leaving the city behind.
Housed in landmark buildings dating to 1699, Hotel Skeppsholmen, a Member of Design Hotels and Marriott Bonvoy, blends centuries of Swedish history with contemporary Scandinavian design, giving guests the feel of an independent boutique hotel while allowing them to earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points when booked through Marriott.
The former military buildings have served many purposes over the years, but since 2009, they have welcomed guests to 78 rooms on an island known for museums, waterfront paths and green space.
The Vibe
Tranquil. Hotel Skeppsholmen feels like an urban retreat hidden in plain sight. Gravel paths wind beneath leafy trees, boats glide along the waterfront and birds provide the morning soundtrack. I could stroll across the historic Skeppsholmsbron (Skeppsholm Bridge) to Gamla Stan and many of Stockholm’s best-known attractions. The bridge itself is a destination, offering one of Stockholm’s most iconic views, with the church spires and twinkling lights of Gamla Stan reflected across the water.
After dinner, I often returned by ferry, watching the city glow as the island grew quiet. The contrast was part of the magic: I was staying in the center of a European capital, yet it rarely felt that way.
How I Felt
Restored. After busy days exploring Stockholm, I looked forward to returning to Skeppsholmen. I slept with my windows open and woke to birdsong and fresh air. In the morning, I could step outside for a walk along the water before the city fully stirred. The hotel encouraged me to slow down, not because there was nothing to do, but because the surroundings made lingering feel like part of the experience.
The Digs
My Sea and Garden View room perfectly reflected the hotel’s personality, quiet Scandinavian elegance layered over centuries of history. Award-winning architects preserved the building’s 17th-century character while introducing clean-lined Nordic furnishings, creating a space that felt both timeless and inviting.
Tall windows with original wooden shutters overlooked the garden, where blooming peonies nodded just below my windowsill. On cool evenings, I left the windows open and drifted to sleep with their fragrance floating inside. Luxurious BYREDO Bal d’Afrique bath amenities, inspired by Sweden’s celebrated fragrance house, added another distinctly Scandinavian touch.
Every room has its own history. Mine was dedicated to Major C. von Cederwald, a naval officer who lived here from 1825 to 1835, a reminder that I wasn’t simply staying in a hotel, but in one of Stockholm’s most remarkable historic buildings.
The Agenda
The historic hotel made exploring Stockholm remarkably easy while giving me a quiet place to return each evening. I began many mornings walking the island’s shoreline, where sweeping views stretched across the harbor. The acclaimed Moderna Museet (Modern Museum), one of Sweden’s premier museums of modern and contemporary art, is also located on Skeppsholmen, just a short stroll from the hotel. From there, it was an easy walk to the Nationalmuseum, the cobbled streets of Gamla Stan and ferries serving other parts of the city.
One morning I joined a Nordic food tour through Södermalm, Stockholm’s creative, bohemian district, sampling local specialties beyond the tourist trail. Another day was devoted to nearby Djurgården, where the Vasa Museum, Nordic Museum and ABBA The Museum are all within easy walking distance. I also visited Fotografiska before returning to Gamla Stan in time to watch the colorful Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Royal Palace. No matter where I wandered, coming back to Skeppsholmen always felt like an escape from the city without ever leaving it.
The Eats
Breakfast, included in the room rate, was a highlight, with a wide array of hot and cold dishes, homemade breads and sweet rolls. The dining rooms were inviting, but eating on the covered porch overlooking the garden was even better. At the hotel’s Långa Raden restaurant, I also enjoyed traditional Swedish meatballs with lingonberries. The kitchen garden grows herbs, vegetables, berries and flowers, some of which have ties to plants cultivated on Skeppsholmen as far back as the 18th century.
Why I Would Go Back
Between its prime location, attentive staff, beautiful interiors and memorable breakfasts, Hotel Skeppsholmen is a fabulous choice for travelers spending time in Stockholm.
Hotel Skeppsholmen gave me something that’s difficult to find in a major city: the feeling of getting away without actually leaving. I could walk to museums, waterfront ferries and historic neighborhoods, then return to open windows, birdsong and the crunch of gravel beneath my feet. On my next visit to Stockholm, I would happily return to my island retreat — and stay longer.
Sharon Kurtz
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