His rough-around-the-edges heroine may not be for everyone, but the late novelist Stieg Larsson sure put the spotlight on Stockholm with his Millennium trilogy of books. I recently joined the movie-going crowds at The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and was just as enthralled with the roller coaster twists of the story as I was taken by the moody Swedish scenery shot on one of Sweden's islands and in its beautiful metropolis, Stockholm. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, Sweden's capital is full of islands, canals and coves, with nature streaming into every corner of the city. And that's just how Terry Ward described a recent stay in Stockholm at the Skeppsholmen Hotel, where some of movie's cast members reportedly bedded down during filming. The hotel is located on a leafy island in the middle of the city, with links by bridge and ferry boats to other Stockholm hot spots. Terry writes:
For an urban hotel in Stockholm where nature infiltrates in the best possible way, it hardly gets any better than at the Hotel Skeppsholmen...Directly in front of the hotel is a well-maintained tennis court fronting the water that's available for guest use during the warmer months and one of the most scenic spots in the city to perfect your serve. You can even take a swim in the clean city waters from a small beach near the hotel. A stay here puts you within easy access of all of Stockholm's city attractions, on foot or by ferry. And the beautifully forested city island of Djurgården is less than five minutes by ferry across the water... (read more)
And if you're looking for other top Stockholm hotels, a few suggestions:
- The Hilton Stockholm Slussen is right in the trendy Södermalm neighborhood, where several of the scenes from the movie were filmed. Highlights include gorgeous city views and spacious all-marble bath rooms.
- The smack dab central Grand Hotel is the city's grande dame, attracting all ilk of celebrities, dignitaries and international jet setters.
- And the high-design Nobis Hotel, in Stockholm's most central square, has a few of the city's sexiest bars and restaurants onsite.
Image courtesy Terry Ward