Stockholm Hotel Spotlight - Hilton Stockholm Sussen

On our recent trip to Stockholm, we had the pleasure of staying in the Hilton Stockholm Sussen, a wonderful hotel right on Södermalm, facing the Old Town of Stockholm and the City Hall just across the waters of Riddarfjärden. Shopping, museums and theatres were easily within walking distance, and with underground and commuter trains at the Slussen station next door, the entire city of Stockholm is right at one's feet.

Better yet, two of Stockholm's hot spots for gay nightlife are just blocks away - Paradise for Saturday night and Patricia's for Sunday night.

We were treated to a cocktail at a very enjoyable outside bar terrace by the GM, Henrik Friskopp. Touring the hotel, we learned the basics: 289 rooms with a fitness center, pool, sauna and beauty parlor. Getting to chat with Henrik a bit more, we learned about the history of this hotel designed by Gert Wingårdh, an acclaimed Swedish architect. Gert was assigned with the interior design and architecture of the hotel and took inspiration from the circles in the waters of the lock, Slussen, lending its name to the hotel.

Gert Wingårdh’s designs were inspired both by nature and by existing architectural landmarks of the world. The staircase in the breakfast area, for instance, was inspired by the stairs of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, while the circular shapes dominating the hotel, from reception areas over staircases to bathroom sinks, were inspired by the circles in the water of the nearby lock.