Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden

About Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden

The influential bank director K A Wallenberg had his brilliant idea during a visit to Monaco: Sweden would get its own riviera, and he would create it. It was the end of the 19th century, and the location by the sparkling bay suited the businessman's vision. A seaside resort was to be built here, where invigorating baths in salty waves would do the city dweller good. The name was self-evident – Saltsjöbaden. A number of architects competed for the honor of building the financier's dream palace: the Grand Hotel, which was to be inspired by the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. The proposal “Salt,” by architect Erik Josephson, won the competition. The proposal featured imaginative towers with domes and wing buildings and earned 1000 kronor in addition to the prestigious assignment. Gustaf Wallenberg, K A's half-brother, also got involved. He had been involved early in the process – according to his own account, he gave architect Josephson a sketch even before the drawing was submitted to the jury. The top floor of the hotel is Gustaf Wallenberg's work: When he realized that the towers would not be visible above the treetops, he ordered the architect to draw an additional floor. When the Grand Hotel was ready for its inauguration in 1893, King Oscar II commanded the entire Swedish fleet from the country's coasts. On that particular day, Sweden had no defense. The fleet's ships were instead ordered to anchor in Hotellviken and fire a salute. The King had also ordered two valuable porcelain and gold vases, with portraits of Queen Sofia and himself, for the hotel. The two vases still stand today in the same place as at the inauguration ceremony: they adorn either side of the beautiful fireplace at the reception. The dream came true, guests flocked to the Grand Hotel. K A Wallenberg had a railway built from Stockholm to the hotel entrance – Saltsjöbanan – and increased the conditions for Saltsjöbaden to become an exclusive villa and seaside resort. It is easy to get a breathtaking feeling about Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, a place for those who want to experience the echoes of history. Royalty and Hollywood stars have stayed here, peace negotiations have been held here during wartime, and heads of state have conferred here. The main agreement between the Swedish Employers' Confederation and LO was signed here in 1938 – the so-called Saltsjöbaden Agreement. The predecessor to the Winter Olympics was organized here: the Nordic Games. In front of the hotel are two antique flagpoles and a sculpture of a figure skater – a memento of the competitions. Since 2022, Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden is owned by Strandgården Family Office AB. Erik Pändel took over as CEO in late summer 2022.