Inside NOFO Hotel: Södermalm’s Hidden Gem With the Ultimate
“Key to Söder” Guide
text Ulrika Lindqvist
In the heart of Södermalm, NOFO Hotel pairs boutique charm with thoughtful experiences, including the curated “Key to Söder,” giving guests a deeper, more personal way to explore the neighbourhood.
Our Experience
Sometimes you get the perfect first impression of a place and with NOFO, that’s exactly what happened. A few years ago, just before Christmas, my partner and I were wandering through Södermalm in a snowstorm. We had been at an event and were desperate to escape the weather and find a glass of wine. That’s when we stumbled into what might be Stockholm’s coziest courtyard. We stepped inside and ended up having the most wonderful evening in the wine bar, surrounded by Christmas trees and holiday cocktails. Since then, we’ve returned several times, but this was our first actual stay at the hotel.
photos courtesy of NOFO
Background
NOFO stands for North of Folkungagatan, the neighbourhood in Södermalm where the hotel is located. The hotel has 109 rooms, each styled according to different themes: Södermalm, Scandinavian, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Upper East Side, Carnaby Street, SOHO, Trastevere, and La Belle Époque. Every room is uniquely designed, and we learned that many regulars have a favorite style they always book. We stayed in an Upper East Side–inspired room, and it instantly became a favorite we could happily return to again and again. With its skylights paired with small windows facing different directions, a soft bed, elegant design choices, and an incredible bathroom, we felt like we were tucked away above the everyday world, up in our own little tower.
The building was constructed by Lorenz Silfvert in 1780 and originally served as a brewery. Over the years it has also functioned as a hospital and emergency housing. Roughly 200 years later, Columbus Hotel opened in the space in 1976, eventually passing the keys to NOFO in 2015.
Key to Söder
You’ll hardly want to leave the hotel, the lovely rooms, the restaurant, and the wine bar make it tempting to stay put. But if you do decide to venture out, NOFO has created its own curated guide to the neighborhood “Key to Söder”. The idea is to make it easier for guests to discover authentic local experiences without the guesswork that usually comes with exploring a new city. The service is complimentary for hotel guests and offers a carefully curated selection of spots. Guests can either browse the list themselves or ask the hotel team to arrange everything from café visits to dinner reservations at places that truly embody Södermalm.
We at Odalisque have our office on Södermalm, and many of our favorite spots are included, like Mormors Dumplings and Krumel. Gems that aren’t always easy for tourists to find. From one local to another: chef’s kiss!
Speaking of chef’s kiss, we got to try the Key to Söder service when NOFO booked a table for us at the iconic restaurant Gondolen. We had an unforgettable evening, walking through the October rain from NOFO to Gondolen (thank you, NOFO, for lending us umbrellas!) before settling in to enjoy the view over Stockholm, Gondolen’s Pithivier, and flawless service. We then walked back to the hotel and ended the night with a movie in our room, a perfect ending to a perfect evening.
About the Hotel
- NOFO has 109 rooms, each designed in a unique style inspired by destinations around the world.
- The hotel is centrally located in Södermalm, Stockholm.
- Room categories include suites, junior suites, executive rooms, superior double rooms, standard double rooms, tiny double rooms, and single rooms.
- NOFO also features a restaurant and a wine bar that we highly recommend.
