Villa Dagmar, Five Years On Text by Ulrika Lindqvist You know a hotel has truly become part of a city when you can no longer remember what stood there before. That is certainly the case with Villa Dagmar. Since opening in 2021, the boutique hotel in the heart of Stockholm’s Östermalm district has quietly become one of the capital’s most sought after addresses, attracting international visitors and Stockholmers in equal measure. Part of the family owned Diplomat Collection, which also includes the iconic Hotel Diplomat and the recently opened Villa Dahlia, Villa Dagmar offers a distinctly residential atmosphere. Rather than feeling like a traditional luxury hotel, it feels like a beautifully designed city home, where Scandinavian and Italian influences meet in warm, eclectic interiors. It is the kind of place that invites you to slow down. Hours disappear in the room, whether working by the window, soaking in the bath, reading with a glass of wine or simply enjoying the exceptionally comfortable bed that makes leaving the following morning surprisingly difficult. all images courtesy of Villa Dagmar At the heart of the hotel is Restaurant Dagmar. Centred around a leafy courtyard, the restaurant captures the atmosphere of Mediterranean outdoor dining, even on a rainy spring evening. Trädgårdsbaren has become a popular destination for after work drinks, with DJs setting the mood on weekends, while neighbouring Dagges Vinbar offers an intimate setting for a carefully chosen glass of wine. The menu reflects the same relaxed elegance as the surroundings. The Gambas Pil Pil with chilli, garlic, parsley, lemon and grilled sourdough is a standout, while the pizzas remain a reliable favourite throughout the year. During summer, the Club Sandwich and Chicken Salad are seasonal highlights, best accompanied by the restaurant’s well known seasoned fries. Breakfast deserves a mention of its own. Combining a generous buffet with à la carte dishes, it is among the finest hotel breakfasts in Stockholm. Fresh butter rolls, cinnamon buns and chia pudding are not to be missed. Behind the hotel lies the story of Dagmar Bergsten, the woman who inspired both its name and identity. A member of the owning family, she was known for her love of travel, art and lively gatherings. Throughout the early twentieth century, she travelled across Europe and Egypt, building an extensive art collection while drawing inspiration from pioneering women including Karin Larsson, Sonia Delaunay, Gertrude Stein, Hilma af Klint and Peggy Guggenheim. The hotel takes its name from Karl and Dagmar Bergsten’s private residence in Båstad, an elegant villa surrounded by a rose garden where family and friends gathered throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Filled with fresh flowers, European art and carefully collected antiques, it became a place where culture, conversation and hospitality naturally came together. That same spirit continues to shape Villa Dagmar today. “With Villa Dagmar, Hotel Diplomat gains a sister property rooted in the same distinguished tradition of hospitality. At the same time, it is a hotel with its own identity, shaped by new ideas and concepts. We created this space for discerning travellers with high expectations of both quality and hospitality. Having grown up in this hotel family, it feels especially meaningful to lay the foundation for what we hope will become a new Stockholm institution. A vibrant and exclusive meeting place for international visitors and Stockholmers alike, just as Dagmar would have wanted.” – Anna Cappelen, Co Owner and Head of Product and Design, Diplomat Collection Earlier this year, Villa Dagmar celebrated its fifth anniversary, marking five years of combining boutique hospitality with a strong commitment to gastronomy, design and culture. Over the past year, the hotel has also received international recognition, earning the title of Best Hotel in the Rest of Europe at the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025, alongside its first Michelin Key. “It has been an incredible five years, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to both our guests and everyone who has contributed to Villa Dagmar. None of this would have been possible without our dedicated team. Villa Dagmar is our city villa, constantly evolving and finding new expressions and ways to bring people together. Our ambition is to remain at the forefront while continuing to create an open and welcoming place where people can meet, find inspiration and return again and again.” says Anna Cappelen. To mark the anniversary, Executive Chef Håkan Carlsson created Dagmar’s Garden, a seasonal dessert inspired by Dagmar Bergsten’s celebrated garden gatherings in Båstad, where sabayon was said to be a favourite. Combining almond cake, rhubarb, fresh strawberries, elderflower sabayon and roasted white chocolate, the dessert is both elegant and indulgent while remaining wonderfully fresh. Wellbeing is another important part of the experience. The hotel’s compact fitness studio is thoughtfully equipped and, despite being popular with guests, maintains a calm atmosphere. Through a partnership with Vigour Fitness, personal training sessions are also available. For those seeking a slower pace, Dagmar Spirit & Retreat offers skincare, beauty and holistic wellness treatments in collaboration with Mia Hjalmarsson. Individual consultations with dermatologists and therapists ensure that every treatment is tailored to the guest. Five years after opening, Villa Dagmar no longer feels like Stockholm’s newest boutique hotel. Instead, it feels like it has always belonged, a place where thoughtful design, exceptional dining and effortless hospitality come together in one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.
