The Hotel

With the entire energy of Stockholm, Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden welcomes its guests with a comfortable atmosphere, exquisite amenities, and impeccable service. Brilliant ambient outdoor transformed into warm elegance inside, where living environment and excellent up passing complemented by remarkable dining experiences as well as modern spa and health facilities.

Conveniently located on the outskirts of Stockholm, the hotel offers an exclusive ambiance overlooking the yacht harbor and the famous Swedish archipelago. Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden is, with its rich historical background, something that Sweden is really proud. Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden is perfect for guests seeking an exclusive sanctum Sanctorum in the middle of an exciting metropolis.

History of Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden

Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden was founded by K. A. Wallenberg (1853-1938), one of the most influential men in Sweden, who in his time had a central role in Swedish finance and industry.  The idea to build a “Swedish Riviera” was born on a visit to Monte Carlo. Upon his return to Sweden, K. A. Wallenberg began to look for the most attractive site for the palace of his dreams. In 1892, the competition was hard among the architects wishing to build the Grand Hotel on the coast, in Saltsjöbaden, surrounded by sea and forest. It was the architect Erik Josephson who won the competition. In the same year, the Swedish king Oscar II laid the first cornerstone of the new hotel.

The hotel was built in French style, with the famous Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo as a source of inspiration. Both Alice and K. A Wallenberg were deeply engaged in the work, giving their attention even to the smallest details of both the construction and the interior design. During Grand Hotel’s inauguration in 1893, King Oscar II commanded the whole of Swedish Navy to anchor in front of the hotel and fire salute of guns – on that day, there was no naval ship on the whole Swedish coast to defend the country! That day King Oscar II had also ordered two highly valuable vases in china and gold, with the portraits of Queen Sophia and the King himself. The two magnificent vases adorn the hotel’s lobby even today, standing on both sides of the old open fireplace – at the same spot where they were installed at the inauguration ceremony.

Soon, the hotel became a very popular travel destination, and K.A. Wallenberg had a railway connection built from the centre of Stockholm to the hotel’s main door. This made it easier for the guests to reach the hotel and relax in the beautiful Swedish nature, while the hotel’s amenities – restaurants, bars, banqueting halls and conference rooms, etc. – remained at hand. Later, the Wallenberg family also had the world-famous Grand Hotel built in central Stockholm. For generations, the Wallenberg family remained in charge of the two sister hotels. Ever since its inauguration, Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden has played a historic role on both national and international plane – peace negotiations have been held here at times of wars, world famous people like  Heads of State have held conferences here, and among the guests there have been both royal family members and stars from Hollywood. In front of the hotel, on the seaside, is a sculpture depicting a skater – a memory of the world’s first Winter Olympics in 1924.

110 years after Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden was built, it was sold to Helnan International Hotels, founded by the president of the Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, Enan Galaly, who has a long career in the hotel and tourism industry. After the change of ownership, the hotel underwent a major renovation in a classical style, and great consideration was given to the preservation of the treasures of the original design.

Today, the hotel is offering restaurants, bars, banqueting halls, conference rooms, spa and a guest harbour. The Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, with its renowned high international standards is regarded as one of Sweden’s most attractive hotels.