The Nordics Hotel Guide 2026: Sweden's Special Awards
From Best Hideaway Hotel and Best City Hotel to the Sustainability & Innovation Award and Hotelier of the Year, Falstaff honors Sweden's most outstanding hotels and leading figures in hospitality.
Hotel of the Year
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Ett Hem in Stockholm continues to set the standard for intimate luxury, redefining what a hotel experience can be. Designed to feel like a private residence rather than a traditional hotel, it offers a deeply personal and relaxed atmosphere where guests are invited to truly feel at home. Every detail, from the thoughtful interiors to the discreet yet attentive service, reflects a commitment to understated elegance. The seamless blend of design, warmth and individuality creates a unique sense of belonging rarely found in hospitality. Ett Hem has become a benchmark for boutique hospitality, not only in Stockholm but globally, by prioritising authenticity, comfort and a highly curated guest experience.
Hotelier of the Year
Carina Dillman, Ystad Saltsjöbad, Ystad
Carina Dillman has become one of Sweden’s most respected resort leaders, guiding Ystad Saltsjöbad with warmth, clarity and a strong belief in culture-led hospitality. As CEO of the iconic seaside destination, she has helped strengthen its position as one of the Nordic region’s leading spa and resort hotels, known for its atmosphere, loyal guests and highly dedicated team. With several years of leadership experience at ESS Group, Dillman combines operational excellence with a deep understanding of people, service, and experience design. Under her direction, Ystad Saltsjöbad continues to evolve through gastronomy, wellness and guest-focused innovation, while preserving the relaxed, personal spirit that makes the hotel so loved.
Best New Opening
Stockholms Stadshotell, Stockholm
Stockholms Stadshotell represents a thoughtful addition to the city’s evolving hospitality scene, blending classic architecture with contemporary design and sensibility. The hotel features approximately 32 rooms and offers an intimate scale that enhances its personal and refined atmosphere. It appeals to both international visitors and a local audience, with a strong focus on design, quality and social spaces. Carefully curated interiors and a clear sense of place reflect the direction of modern hospitality - towards experiences that feel both relevant and timeless. As a new opening, it signals continued investment in Stockholm as a dynamic, design-forward destination with growing international appeal.
Lifetime Achievement
Peter Wallenberg, Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Peter Wallenberg has played a defining role in shaping modern luxury hospitality in Sweden, combining long-term vision with a deep respect for heritage and quality. During his tenure as CEO of Grand Hôtel Stockholm, he led a comprehensive transformation of the historic property, strengthening its international profile while preserving its cultural significance. With a background within one of Sweden’s most influential business families, Wallenberg brings a strong sense of stewardship and strategic clarity to his work. Today, as Chairman of The Grand Group, he continues to guide the portfolio’s development, leaving a lasting imprint on Stockholm’s position as a leading European luxury destination
Best Spa Hotel
Yasuragi, Stockholm
Yasuragi offers a unique wellness experience in Sweden, inspired by Japanese bathing culture and philosophy. Located just outside Stockholm, the hotel creates a profound sense of calm and escape through minimalist design, silence and ritual. Its spa concept focuses on mindfulness, recovery and balance, encouraging guests to disconnect from everyday stress and reconnect with themselves. Traditional elements such as onsen-style baths, quiet zones and mindful dining enhance the immersive experience. By combining Eastern traditions with Scandinavian simplicity, Yasuragi has established itself as a distinctive destination for wellbeing, setting a strong benchmark for experiential spa hospitality in the region.
Engagement for Sustainability & Innovation
Arctic Bath, Boden
Floating on the Lule River, Arctic Bath is one of the most innovative hospitality concepts in Scandinavia, combining architecture, nature and sustainability in a truly unique way. Designed to operate with minimal environmental impact, the hotel offers guests an immersive Arctic experience centred around wellbeing and a deep connection to nature. Its striking circular structure, inspired by traditional timber floating, and its ability to adapt across seasons reflect a forward-thinking approach to both design and operations. Through its focus on simplicity, energy efficiency and place-based experiences, Arctic Bath stands as a powerful example of how innovation can create meaningful and responsible travel in the far north.
Best City Hotel
Hotel At Six, Stockholm
At Six has established itself as a leading lifestyle hotel in central Stockholm, combining contemporary design with a vibrant cultural atmosphere. Featuring 343 rooms and suites, the hotel offers a substantial yet design-driven experience in the heart of the city. More than just a place to stay, it functions as a social hub, attracting both travellers and locals through its curated art collection, dynamic dining concepts and regular cultural programming. The hotel’s bold identity reflects a modern, cosmopolitan approach to hospitality, continuing to define a new standard for urban hotel experiences in Sweden.
Best Boutique Hotel
Dorsia, Gothenburg
Dorsia Hotel & Restaurant stands out as one of Scandinavia’s most distinctive boutique hotels, offering a bold and theatrical take on luxury in the heart of Gothenburg. With 37 individually designed rooms, the hotel delivers an intimate and highly personalised experience. Inspired by Belle Époque elegance and international grand hotels, the interiors are richly layered with velvet, antiques, curated art and dramatic colour palettes. Beyond its striking aesthetic, Dorsia is also known for its refined service and strong culinary offering, making it a destination in its own right. The hotel redefines boutique hospitality through character, creativity and a fearless approach to design.
Best Value
MJ's Hotel, Malmö
MJ’s Hotel brings a playful and design-led approach to value-driven hospitality in the heart of Malmö. Blending bold interiors with a relaxed, social atmosphere, the hotel offers a distinctive experience that feels both accessible and elevated. With its vibrant courtyard, lively bar and popular restaurant, MJ’s functions as a meeting place for both locals and visitors. The rooms combine comfort with character, reflecting a contemporary and slightly eclectic aesthetic. By delivering strong design, atmosphere and service at a competitive price point, MJ’s Hotel sets a new benchmark for what value can look like in Sweden’s urban hospitality scene.
Best Gourmet Hotel
The Vyn Hotel, Simrishamn
Vyn Hotel represents a new generation of destination-driven hospitality, where gastronomy takes centre stage in a deeply personal and immersive setting. Located on the Swedish coast, the hotel reflects a strong connection to landscape, seasonality and craft. At its heart is the restaurant led by acclaimed chef Daniel Berlin, whose cuisine is rooted in precision, creativity and locally sourced ingredients. Awarded two Michelin stars, the experience is defined by a deep respect for nature and exceptional technical execution. The intimate scale of the hotel allows for a curated and thoughtful stay, where design, service and cuisine come together seamlessly, setting a new benchmark for gourmet hospitality in the Nordics.
Best Hideaway Hotel
Trakt Forest Hotel, Vetlanda
Trakt Forest Hotel offers a truly immersive escape, set deep within the forests of southern Sweden. Surrounded by untouched nature, the hotel is designed to blend seamlessly into its environment, creating a sense of calm, privacy and connection to the landscape. With just 10 standalone cabins, Trakt delivers an intimate and highly personal experience rooted in simplicity and design. Its minimalist architecture and carefully curated interiors reflect a strong Scandinavian ethos, where quality and restraint take centre stage. Guests are invited to slow down, reconnect with nature and embrace the quiet rhythm of the forest, making it a standout destination for contemporary hideaway hospitality in the Nordics.
Hotel Entrepreneur of the Year
Erik Nissen
Erik Nissen Johansen is one of the Nordic hospitality industry’s most influential creative minds and the founder of the award-winning design studio Stylt in Gothenburg. For more than three decades, he has helped redefine hotel and restaurant experiences through a unique combination of storytelling, branding, concept development and interior design. Under his leadership, Stylt has created more than 250 hotels and 400 restaurants worldwide, earning prestigious international awards, including the AHEAD Awards, the UNESCO Prix Versailles, and the World Hotel Awards. Known for his philosophy of “writing the script before making the film,” Johansen approaches hospitality as emotional storytelling rather than decoration.
