From a home for women in precarious situations to one of the best hotels in 2025: this is the history of this 1875 building.

The 2025 Hotel Awards, presented by National Geographic , have once again produced some surprising winners in several categories. One of the most unusual is "Ingenious Conversions," in which the publication selects the hotel that has converted a historic building intended for a different use into a stunning accommodation. This year's winner is on the other side of Europe from Spain: the wonderful Stockholm Stadshotell.

This fascinating Stockholm hotel is not only one of the most incredible accommodations in the Swedish capital, but its history also makes it unique in all of Scandinavia. The building in which it is located dates back to the late 19th century, and although today it serves as a place of rest for its guests, its original function was racially opposed to that of today: it was a home for women in precarious situations.

The Stockholm Stadshotell, a unique hotel in Stockholm

This building has been one of Stockholm's most iconic buildings for 150 years. It was built between 1873 and 1875 by order of Queen Josephine in memory of the late King Oscar I. Located at 23 Björngårdsgatan, this beautiful complex's original purpose was to provide shelter for women in the Swedish capital who were in difficult situations, and it served this purpose for several decades.

A century and a half later, and after four years of renovations, the building has reopened as the Stockholm Stadshotell, a hotel that respects the history of the site while combining it with modern design and exquisite cuisine in its two restaurants and bar; it is certainly one of the most amazing accommodations in the entire Nordic metropolis.

The hotel has 32 rooms of all kinds, offering the rest so desired by Swedes, practically guaranteed. The publication states that this accommodation is "one of the most anticipated openings in recent years." in Stockholm, and for good reason, since in addition to being located in an amazing building, guests will feel right at home.

This five-star accommodation has already captivated guests who have enjoyed it, although you'll have to dig deep into your wallet to sleep there: a night for two people in one of the rooms usually costs around 360 euros (4,000 Swedish kronor), although the final price obviously depends on many factors.