Review: Nofo Hotel

Nofo Hotel has lived many lives. Built in the 18th century as a brewery and later a fire station, its façade still hints at industry while the interiors lean contemporary. Brick walls meet muted tones, and the courtyard feels both historic and urban.

The crowd is a mix: plenty of 30-something couples, but also business travellers and retirees. Inspiration comes from New York, particularly Brooklyn, reflected in interiors and illustrations on the walls. Even the name is a nod to the location – NOrth of FOlkungagatan – in the same spirit as SoHo.

The neighbourhood adds to the appeal. Södermalm, once working class, is now one of Stockholm’s liveliest districts. Record shops, vintage boutiques and late-night bars cluster around Nytorget and Skånegatan, all within walking distance of the hotel.

Conversation flows at the wine bar

By day, the courtyard is the hub; by night, the wine bar and restaurant take over. Spread across three interconnected rooms, each space has its own feel: dark and cocooning, sociable and clubby, or calm and light-filled.

What unites them is the mood. The atmosphere is informal but attentive, with staff who recommend wine without a script. It’s the sort of place you’d happily drop into for a drink even without a room upstairs. In summer, the courtyard becomes an extension of the bar, blurring the line between hotel space and local hangout.

The menu leans towards medium-sized dishes designed for sharing. If you want a single, hearty plate, your options are limited to tarte flambées – essentially pizzas. On Sundays there’s “family dinner”, a set menu at a fair price. During our stay it was classic Swedish meatballs with mash, rich gravy, lingonberries and pickled cucumber.

Beneath the wine bar, The Vault – an 18th-century cellar – doubles as a candlelit chambre séparée for private feasts. With your own waiter and, if you wish, the key to the wine cellar, it’s made for long nights underground.

Breakfast with sweets

Breakfast is laid out buffet-style in the main restaurant. There’s no à la carte, but the spread is generous, from a block of Parmesan to homemade berry compotes and granola.

The only drawback is space – it gets busy. Nofo acknowledges it with a tongue-in-cheek sign: “Sometimes chaotic, but never unpleasant!” A side buffet sweetens the deal, with carrot cake, biscuits and Swedish sweets every morning.

An atmosphere that feels genuine

From check-in onwards, the mood is warm rather than rehearsed. The young front desk team balance efficiency with friendliness, making the welcome feel more like an introduction than a transaction. That relaxed energy carries throughout, with no sense of being rushed or funnelled through a script.

Live as a local

Nofo is firmly grounded in the local community and actively promotes local businesses with its Key to Söder, a curated guide to neighbourhood cafés, shops, galleries and cultural spots, given free with your booking. On the way to the lift you’ll pass the hotel shop, stocked with branded merchandise and local artisanal goods – coffee, ceramics and artwork.