Hotel J Stockholm

Just to the east of Stockholm proper is the island suburb of Nacka Strand, a place where the living is truly easy, even by Swedish standards. Here, just outside the city, is where you’ll find Hotel J, a modernist seaside structure housing a boutique hotel as well as a restaurant that’s popular with overnighters and day-trippers alike.

You wanted crisp clean lines and you got them — along with a healthy bit of maritime atmosphere, in the paneled wood and nautical colors of the guest rooms. It’s inspired by Newport, Rhode Island, and there certainly is a resemblance — in fact there’s a subtle strain of Americana throughout, as well as plenty that’s cheerful, colorful and oh-so-Swedish.

The restaurant is well known for a reason, serving inventive brasserie fare made from fresh Swedish produce and seafood — the seasonal brunch is a particularly popular option. Hotel J’s location places it around the far end of the island from Stockholm, which makes for fine sea views, and also means that sea travel is perhaps a better bet than the bridge or the rail link. It’s probably not the place you’d choose for a first visit to Stockholm, but for a fresh perspective on the archipelago it’s unparalleled.

How to get there:
Hotel J is located in Nacka Strand, which can be reached by car from downtown Stockholm in approximately 10 minutes. From Arlanda International Airport(ARN), the drive takes about 50 minutes. Scheduled boat service provides access to and from Nybrokajen and Slussen, making the journey to Nacka Strand in about 15 minutes.