Hotel check: Grand Hotel Intercontinental

Published: 21/05/2008 - Filed under: Archive » 2008 » June 2008 » Tried & Tested » Tried & Tested » Tried & Tested » Hotels » Tried & Tested » Hotels » Sweden »

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What’s it like? A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the Grand Hotel became part of the Intercontinental portfolio in January, making it the only IHG property in Scandinavia. The original building opened in 1874 but the hotel has had a couple of extensions since, most recently in 2006, adding an extra 76 rooms including the 330-sqm Princess Lilian Suite, the Flag Suite and the Nobel Suite.

Where is it? On the waterfront next to the Swedish National Museum and opposite Gamla Stan and the Royal Palace.

How many rooms? 376 rooms, including 42 suites.

Room facilities All rooms are individually decorated to reflect different time periods and range in size from 20 sqm for a Small Double room to 50 sqm for a Deluxe Double, and 65 sqm for an Executive suite. All rooms have 35 free television channels, free wifi and a minibar. My room was an Executive Suite with a balcony and a harbour view. It had wooden floors, chandeliers, a large bathroom with a spa bath and separate rain shower, L’Occitane toiletries (which are being trialled for six months), robes and slippers. The Executive suites also have a dining room (pictured) and a sitting room with a sofa, coffee table and television.

Restaurants and bars The Cadier bar has recently been extended to offer more seating. It’s popular for its à la carte breakfast, as well as business lunches and afternoon tea, but it really comes to life in the evening. The Veranda restaurant overlooks the harbour and serves a comprehensive buffet breakfast with everything from reindeer, pickled herring and fried potatoes, to fruit, cold meats, and the usual cooked options. Veranda also serves a traditional Swedish smorgasbord (a four to six-course meal with a variety of dishes). The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant is the Michelin-starred Mathias Dahlgren.

Business and meeting facilities Wifi is free throughout the hotel and there is also a business centre. The facilities are extensive and lavish – the Grand used to host the Nobel Prize banquet in the Hall of Mirrors (this has now moved to the City Hall). There are 24 conference premises including the SeaLounge, a 61-foot yacht, and four new rooms including “New York” and “Berlin”.

Leisure facilities The compact gym is free for guests and has features including a sauna and a couple of treatment rooms. (In spring 2009, the hotel will open a spa and swimming pool in the basement.)

Price Internet rates for a midweek stay in June started at SEK4,790 (£409) for Small Double room.

Contact S Blasieholmshmnen 8, Stockholm; tel +46 8679 3500; grandhotel.se.