Elite Plaza
The Elite Plaza is a design hotel in every sense - both part of the capital 'd' Design Hotel group, and beautifully designed, from the mosaic floor in the entrance hall to the immaculate new top floor with its 12 additional rooms.
The building was originally - in the 1880s - home of the Svea Fire & Life Insurance, and since a major renovation in 2000, the pillared halls of Italian marble and New Renaissance style have been restored to their former glory.
Interior designers Helling and Svensson chose dark wood paneling for the interior design of the hotel's rooms while the new floor's colour scheme of beige, cherry and lime is in elegant contrast.
The Plaza Bar and the Bishop's Arms pub are the ideal places for a relaxing evening drink, and the award-winning Swea Hof is one of Sweden's top ten restaurants.
Why We Love It
The Elite Plaza is in a prime position in Gothenburg - take advantage of this and wander down to City Museum, Gothenburg Town Hall, and Gustav Adolf Square. Alternatively, the hotel has Jaguars on hand for those who prefer to travel around in style.
Salt & Sill
The owners first established Salt & Sill as a restaurant, where 40% of Sweden's herring comes from. Such was the demand for rooms at the popular eatery; they decided to add a hotel to their burgeoning success, and a floating one at that.
Salt & Sill is a floating hotel on the small island of Klädesholmen north of Gothenburg, and its stark modern lines provide a fabulous contrast to the traditional red fishing huts and houses of the old harbour. It has a total of 23 rooms made from local granite, old wood from derelict fishing huts and much newer wood. This chic minimalism is purely functional however, as too much furniture may cause it to sink.
The restaurant in on terra firma, and the food is spot on, and being located in a prime herring-catching spot, it is safe to say that the fish may feature quite heavily on the menu. Luckily it is delicious, and is especially good pickled and served with blackberries for breakfast. Our one tip when it comes to food and drink is don't over do the evening schnapps - the swaying notion will make you feel tipsy enough as it is.
Why We Love It
Go out on the hotel's fishing boat on a lobster 'safari'.
Villa Sjötorp
Villa Sjötorp began life as a private summer residence and still has an air of old school glamour about it. Owner Ellika has carefully hand-picked every item in the house, and her sharp attention to detail and careful restoration is apparent throughout.
Guests enter through the gothic style entrance and into the large hall that forms part of the dining room. The feeling that you are in a friend's house (albeit quite a lucky one) increases as you go from room to room, and the fourteen bedrooms have all being individually decorated by Ellika. Iron beds, patterned wallpaper, hand crafted desks and large windows feature in every room, and each one is en-suite.
The restaurant leads through to the gardens, via trinket and pictured lined hallways, which are stunning and look out to the sea. The food is homely and delicious, and they boast an impressive wine collection - take a glass out to the garden with a good book and soak up the fantastic views.
A small path leads down to the beach where guests can rent kayaks or simply go for a walk. There is also golf course just minutes away and massages can be arranged.
Why We Love It
100% bling free - the floorboards may creak a bit but it is all part of its homely charm. In fact, it would be a wonderful place for a Murder Mystery evening.
