Hotel Villa Dagmar

Where would go for some guaranteed cooler weather over the summer? Much of Southern Europe has searing temperatures now; and many beautiful parts of Italy and Spain are uncomfortably hot. Combined with a lack of the prolific air conditioning that we are used to in our region made us think of a different destination this summer.

We chose Stockholm for a city break, very easy to get to from Dubai or just a 2 hour flight from London, the capital of Scandinavia is stylish, contemporary, cool and did I say super safe?

Everything is easy from arriving at Arlanda airport to getting in to the city center, taking boat trips to the plethora of archipelago islands or finding fabulous restaurants. People are genuinely friendly, very helpful and welcome tourists from all over the world.

We chose to stay at the delightful Hotel Villa Dagmar in the chic Ostemalm area of the city. Location is key when choosing any hotel but especially on a city break as it’s important you can easily access all the major sites and attractions, ideally by walking or via a short taxi ride.

Situated on the trendy, pedestrian Nybrogatan street lined with independent restaurants and stylish shops, the luxurious, boutique Hotel Villa Dagmar ticked all our boxes on the location and luxury living front!

We loved the huge atrium with it’s relaxed vibe that connected the elegant Ostemalms food hall to our beautiful breakfast room and to Dagges, the hotel’s award winning restaurant perfect for some high end snacks or al fresco dinners.

Breakfast is a serious affair hotel Villa Dagmar and everything you would expect from a sumptuous Scandinavian table. Fresh berries of course, a special porridge with cardamom milk, rye breads of every description and a variety of Swedish cheeses too.

Hotel Villa Dagmar takes its name from a real person connected to the current owners family. She was an elegant socialite who loved to travel, had many friends and had an eye for the finer things in life.

Her home was always filled with fresh flowers, luxurious furnishings and she and her husband collected art from all over the world. Hotel Villa Dagmar imbibes all of these characteristics today and the attention to detail is divine.

Take a trip to any one of many islands in Stockholm’s huge archipelago, have a picnic or eat lunch at Rokeriet restaurant at just 30 minutes away by Stroma ferries to the pretty island of Fjaderholmarna.

You can get to the port via an easy 10 minute walk from the hotel. Walk around the little island and check out the artisanal glass blowers producing gorgeous candy coloured vases all day. You can buy one and even have it shipped home!

Or check out the art at the museum home of painter prince Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde who favoured art over more typical royal treasures. Based on the on the verdant, urban island of the Djurgatan, an oasis in the city, the art museum home is set in beautiful parkland with trees over 100 years old!

I recommend you take the old fashioned but fully functional, quaint 7N single story bus to the last stop! Stockholm is a stylish destination and makes for a perfect city break with long daylight hours and delicious temperatures.

Check out the author Monica Kapila’s Instagram @DoinDubai and read more on her blog at www.doindubai.com