Studio Escapist Redefines Hospitality: Intimate, Refined Art at Stockholm Stadshotell

The Stockholm Stadshotell experiences a rebirth under the vision of Studio Escapist, transforming hospitality into an art form.

In Stockholm, a district reminiscent of Milan’s creative heart, Isola — trendy, central, yet still emerging — you will find the Stockholm Stadshotell. At first glance, it doesn’t appear to be a hotel. Rather, it stands as a stylish home, an urban retreat, a place imbued with stories. This is the hallmark of Studio Escapist, a design firm established by Swedish creatives Michaela Hemlin and Elin Martin. The studio is now a key player in the Nordic design scene, known for its intimate, warm, and welcoming aesthetic, which remarkably channels an Italian flair.

“We’re not entirely Scandinavian after all,” joke Michaela and Elin. Before founding their studio in Stockholm, both had broadened their horizons abroad, immersing themselves in visual culture in major design capitals. Michaela is an interior architect trained and professionally matured in Milan, while Elin comes from a marketing background, enriched with a New York City experience and a distinct artistic sensitivity. Their paths converged into a shared stylistic language, characterized by texture, memory, and subtle dissonances. “Our influences aren’t confined to the Nordic – we are greatly inspired by Italy, by names like Tobia Scarpa, Caccia Dominioni, Vico Magistretti. We aim to create spaces that are timeless, make you feel at ease, and resonate with warmth. Never cold, never overly minimal,” they explain. Their latest project, the Stockholm Stadshotell, a boutique hotel with 32 rooms and suites housed in a late 19th-century building, perfectly encapsulates this philosophy. “We wanted to preserve the site’s authenticity, starting with its high ceilings and large windows, and reinterpret it with a modern appeal.”

Harmony of History and Modernity

A Breathable Interior

Each room is crafted as an independent yet cohesive story, with diverse palettes that harmonize beautifully. “We have three or four types of rooms, each with its own stylistic personality, yet all share the same ambiance: warm, welcoming, sophisticated.” The project’s soul lies in the materials. “We place great value on natural materials. Wood, stone, marble. We drew inspiration from Italy and its eternally beautiful natural stones,” they note. In the hotel, you find Italian marbles like Rosa Perlino, crafted by Venetian artisans, alongside local Swedish and Portuguese stones.

Contemporary Living Space

The 32 rooms and suites of Stockholm Stadshotell designed by Studio Escapist blend timeless elegance with modern comforts and functionality. The concept extends to the common areas, which include two restaurants, a bar, a guest lounge, a sauna and plunge pool, and a garden restaurant in the courtyard. A vibrant, contemporary living space designed to welcome, relax, and connect. All in perfect harmony with the creative duo’s vision of discreet luxury, characterized by silences, authentic materials, and a homely feeling.