The first boutique hotel in Vasastan is now officially open. Accommodation with park views, a rooftop bar high up among the roof ridges and a boules court in the backyard are all part of the concept.

Initially, when we get to know a city, the obvious choice is perhaps to choose a central hotel. As we get to know each other, it's time to change addresses to get closer to the city. That's how I feel about the trio of Stockholm hotels that make up the family-owned Diplomat Collection. One night a long time ago, I checked into the Diplomat hotel, we trained down in the basement, we ate and drank. But what I perhaps remember best was how the tram rattled along Strandvägen. That's what it's like to live here
at Stockholm's finest address, the water sparkles, the tram rattles. Hotel Diplomat was the Malmström family's first hotel, which they have run since the 1960s. It would be until 2021 before the family opened their second hotel – Villa Dagmar on Nybrogatan right next to Östermalmshallen. A street I have worked on myself, and also a prime address in the heart of Östermalm. As a traveler, you get a new starting point here
to discover the city. This year it's time for the family's third hotel:
– We see Villa Dahlia as the third sister of the family, says hotel manager Pauline Chapellen when we meet up just before lunch so that I can meet her, that third sister. Villa Dahlia has settled in Vasaparken in the property Barnhusväderkvarnen 22, which was built in 1966 and which previously housed the Tegnérlunden hotel.

If I were to talk about the beauty of the building from the outside, I would probably have to be a little careless with the truth. But its location next to Tegnérparken is excellent in several ways. On the one hand, the park is quiet and beautiful, offers sculptures and in the summertime even a splash pool for the children. On the other hand, you are really in the middle of the city, around the corner you turn onto Drottninggatan, and if you go through the park in the other direction, the road to
Kungsholmen, the City Hall and the Old Town at your feet. In addition, many of the facades are ornately beautiful and built in the late 19th century and early 20th century. So ask yourself the question: Do you want to live in the beautiful house and look at the ugly one, or vice versa. Jokes aside, when I step inside the door, everything changes.
Checkered stone floors, soft upholstered furniture, warm wood and a reception desk with welcoming staff. Architect Per Öberg and his company were responsible for the entire hotel. Soft and smooth, graphic and soft lines I would say sums up much of what awaits here. In addition, a number of
unexpected surprises. It is well thought out not only in terms of interior design but also from the outside
a sustainability perspective.

The view is magical and perhaps most enjoyable from the suite with its own king-size balcony. But there are
also rooms without a view. These can be found in the Quiet Room category

“Villa Dahlia has been certified with BREEAM Excellent,” says Pauline Chapellen as we enter one of the hotel’s rooms. For example, there is a roller blind that prevents the heat from heating up the room.
A smart way and easy way to avoid having to cool the room. The view is magical and perhaps most enjoyable from the suite with its own king balcony. But there are also rooms without a view at all. These are found in the Quiet Room category, I'm probably a bit too claustrophobic to be attracted to the concept, but Pauline says:
– Those who really need a quiet night and want to sleep like the concept. We have flight crews who like to choose this category, as well as people who need to wake up rested to perform at their peak the next day.
It makes me think a little. I recently read about research on a health hazard I hadn't previously thought about – noise pollution. Something that you can actually avoid here. Well, a park location is enough for me. We take the stairs the last bit up to the rooftop bar. It's truly phenomenal, with views of the city in all directions. We find a building we can't identify, but also many others we recognize. Regardless
whether you are a hotel guest or not, a visit up here on a beautiful afternoon is something I look forward to
against in the future.

Today, lunch awaits you in the hotel restaurant, where chef Daniel Jogmar, in collaboration with gastronomic inspiration Niclas Jönsson, offers dishes inspired by Italian cuisine and classic hotel favorites. On the ceiling, we find stylized interpretations of Botticelli's Birth of Venus interpreted by artist Susan Szatmáry. I find myself wondering how these fragments would work in color, it feels like they would take over. Now, instead, they are so discreet that you need a moment to discover them.

The observant can make more art discoveries here at the hotel. On the lunch menu we find three different dishes of the day for 185 kronor, as well as the á la carte menu with the occasional classic that we also find at the other two sisters. I choose a ridiculously expensive Salad Niçoise for 310 kronor which turns out to be absolutely phenomenal, nobis dressing and fresh tuna that has just been quickly fried in the pan. The portion is large and would probably be enough for two, I myself will take half the portion home. I will make a bet so that we will not be embarrassed at all to ask for a lunch box. If I were to stay at the hotel, maybe the salad would be taken out to the park
at a later time. And then there were the surprises. These include a boules court in the backyard, bicycles you can borrow in the basement and a spa worth experiencing. Almost
I was about to forget a nice chambre séparée for both dinners and meetings with technical equipment that is hidden behind a curtain when not needed.

VILLA DAHLIA
Tegnérlunden 8, Stockholm
103 rooms, including 14 suites
Price example
Keep an eye out for package deals on the website. We looked at an overnight stay on Christmas Eve itself and got these prices: Standard Quiet Room, 2,265 SEK, Master Suite Park View, 7,680 SEK
www.hotelvilladahlia.com