Historic Hotel
This hotel's building foundation dates back to 1617, making it one of the oldest in Stockholm. It served as a semi-legal coffeehouse in the 1750s, and its basement features cross vaults from the 1690s that were once part of the old city wall. A 350-year-old footprint from a worker is preserved in the bricks of the lobby.
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Year erected: 1617
What is the history of the property?
When you walk through the doors of Hôtel Reisen — you don't travel back in time. You merely stroll into the memoirs of an eclectic, flamboyant past.
The hotel is set directly on Stockholm's scenic waterfront and uses the historic Old Town (Gamla Stan) as its picturesque and telling backdrop. The building's foundation dates back to 1617 — a time when Gustavus Adolphus the Great was the King of Sweden and the world had just invented telescopes and steam turbines.
For centuries, the building has served numerous functions. The name originates from the Dutchman Fredrik Reiss who ran a semi-legal coffeehouse in the 1750s. But — it's also been used as storehouse, drinking den, and an epicentre for some of the most prominent poets in European history. In here, Carl Michael Bellman was reciting «Drink out thy glass!» whilst chirping up naughty beauties. Fritiof Nilsson Piraten was using room 705 and six half-bottles of Château Margaux to find an exit to his writer's block. The Russian-American Nobel Prize winner, Joseph Brodsky, locked himself in a corner room drafting poems to make cracks in the Soviet Empire.
And, the list goes on as their nights were long.
Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Yes, the property is located in the middle of the historic Old Town Stockholm.
Has restoration work taken place?
The hotel underwent a full renovation that was finished 2021.
Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
As early as the 1690s, the cross vaults were built down in the basement, which today houses the hotel's relax, and forms part of the old city wall. Those who worked on the construction of carrying bricks were often women and were called wall snails. One of these women put her footprint, size 37, in a stone sitting on the wall in one of the arches for public viewing. Shortly after these arches had been built, the castle Tre kronor was ravaged by fire in 1697. To a large extent, the castle burned down, but Reisen's vault lay underground and thus survived well, despite its proximity to the castle.
Our conference room and separate chamber Per Brahe originates from the boat S/S Per Brahe that were built in 1908.
Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
Carl Michael Bellman has mentioned the building in his poems.
Fritiof Nilsson Piraten was using room 705 and six half-bottles of Château Margaux to find an exit to his writer’s block.
