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Weekend Getaway to GrindaSweden’s Archipelago is less than an hour from StockholmBy Madelyn MillerIn less time than most people commute to work in major American cities, you can get to one of Sweden’s 24,000 Arch Islands for a relaxing day or longer in the country. I visited Grinda, an easy boat-ride from central Stockholm.
Here you will find the same hospitality as Henrik Santesson offered his—fine dining, beautiful ambience and a good night’s sleep in the heart of the archipelago. Whether treating yourself to a luxurious night’s accommodation while on holiday with your boat, or experiencing the snow-covered countryside of the archipelago, a night’s stay at Grinda Wardshus is like balsam for the soul.
WHAT YOU WON’T FINDGrindaWardshus has consciously decided not to place television or phones in the room. The concept means you are able to escape everyday concerns and fully enjoy what Grinda offers—relaxation, fine dining, and socializing in the beautiful archipelago. WHAT YOU WILL TASTE
The Restaurant’s philosophy is that food doesn’t need to be complicated to be the delicious. The ingredients come mostly from the archipelago and the menu changes to offer the best of each season. You can enjoy a light, summer lunch, or a rich autumn dinner, or their celebrated Christmas smorgasbord. The breath-taking sea view is the perfect appetizer.
Take away or sail away? The harbor is just a stone’s throw away and accommodates approximately 100 boats. Harbor personnel will help you tie up. And as a guest, you will have access to electricity, showers, toilets and garbage disposal.
If you’d like a souvenir of your visit to the island, consider a flavored oil or tapenade. You can arrive empty handed and leave fully loaded. GETTING THEREGrinda is accessible all year round. The ferry lines, Waxholmsbolaget (46 8 679 58 30) and Cinderella (46 8 587 140 50) have several daily routes from Stockholm, Nacka Strand, Lidingo, Waxholm and Varmdo. From Stockholm the trip takes about an hour, from Northern Varmdo just ten minutes. Taxi-boats, charter boats, helicopters and sea-planes, as well as a hovercraft in the winter. Grinda Wardshus In Sweden, the seasons are a contrast. Light summer nights when the sun barely dips below the horizon alternates with short, snowy winter days. Best way to get to SwedenSAS Stockholm is one third water, one third green belt and one third city. Stockholm has got history—but also the latest in fashion and IT. The trendy Stockholmers are often used as a test market by international companies, as they are quick to pick up on the latest trends. This is the most obvious on the island of Sodermalm, a hotbed of fashion, young culture and entertainment. GREAT GUIDEBOOKSTOCKHOLM BEST MAPA map really matters in Stockholm. The best one is free, a 12 page section of STOCKHOLM SHOPPING GUIDE. I got mine free at Victory Hotel in Old Town, but search one out. www.mobilamedia.se MADELYN’S FAVORITES IN STOCKHOLMRestaurants Gondolen (the Gondola) Restaurant Leijontornet Grinda Wardshus Grinda Wardshus Yasuragi’s Teppan Yaki Restaurant Hasseludden Konferense & Yasuragi BEST DEAL ON A MEALHisar Fastfood There are lots of interesting ethnic choices in this food market. I saw a crowd around a Turkish sandwich shop and decided to follow the natives. For less than four dollars 25kr. I had a vegetarian pita filled with a stuffed grape leaf, fried eggplant and more vegetables all covered with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and smothered with garlic sauce, red pepper sauce and eggplant sauce. Yum. And then I found out this bargain price included water or apple juice. COOLEST PLACE TO EATUpplev Icehotel Sommar BEST INTERNET CAFÉCafé Old Town Spegeln About 40 K an hour. But you will not be able to resist the delicious pastries and coffee. You will easily spend that much on snacks while you are there. I found myself thinking about my email everytime I walked the café and got a whiff of the delicious baked goods BEST PLACE FOR HOMESICK AMERICANSGrays American Foodstore in Gamla Stan has all the
most-missed snacks including Oreo cookies and Snapple Iced Tea. They also
sell all-American breakfast cereals. Madelyn’s Favorite HotelsVictory Hotel This Relais and Chateau property has two sibling hotels, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton Sheraton Stockholm Hotel &Tower MOST UNUSUAL PLACE TO STAYYou can stay in the former prison of Longholmen. You can also buy appropriate nightwear here—modern reproductions of the old prisoner’s shirts. GET AWAY FOR A DAYGrinda, an archipalgo island, is only an hour away. Yasuragi, a center for tranquility, beauty and harmony
is a place where guests can wind down, clear their thoguhts and regain
energy to tackle stresses and pressures of everyday life. BEST CAMERA SHOPKameradoktorn at David Bagares Gata 3. BEST PLACE TO CHANGE MONEYForex is everywhere, but eXchange gives you better
rates and charges no commission no matter how small an amount you exchange BEST DEAL IN TOWNThe Stockholm Card which costs 260 kr (about $36) and allows you access to 70 museums and public transportation for 24 hours. The card can be purchased online at www.stockholmtown.com/stockholmcard HOW TO GET A TAX REFUNDIf you spend over 250 kr in one store, ask for the
Global Tax refund form. They will seal and stamp your purchase which you
must then show at a cash refund point when you leave the country. You will
save up to 18% TRANSPORTATIONBus, underground and local trains Taxi Air The express train, Arlanda Express departs every 15 mnutes and takes 20 minutes to get into town. Airport buses depart every 5-15 minutes and take 35 minutes to get into the center. Taxis also take about 35 minutes and often have a fixed price for trips into the city. (always ask the price first) Train For more informationStockholm Visitors Board Visiting address Tourist centers 1 Hotellcentralen, Centralstation Tourist info |
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Visiting Grinda is like coming to a place where the
world stands still. Located just one hour from central Stockholm, you’ll
find yourself as far as possible from the maddening crowd. Only one thing
exists here. The greatest peace and quiet. (plus a few great places to snack
and eat and play)
Henrik Santesson first discovered this tranquility.
The first director of the Nobel Committee bought the island in 1906 and
built a summer house for the pleasure of his family. It took two years to
build the art-deco building, which today is the beautiful inn, Grinda
Wardshus.
There are four new hotel buildings located near the
restaurant. There are 28 double guest rooms and two suites. All are
decorated with an air of warmth and personality in a modern style.
Many guests come to Grinda simply for the fine dining.
The Restaurant is run in the same spirit as it was founded—to provide
first-class food and service. Year after year, the Restaurant has won
distinctions such as Gourmet Magazine’s “199 Tables”, and “Sweden’s Best
Tables.” In 2003, they won “Best Restaurant in the Archipelago” for the
second time in four years.
Down by the shoreline, you’ll find the Framfickan
Bistro. This is a great place to just take it easy and enjoy a delicious
lunch on the jetty in the gentle sea breeze or dine while you watch the sun
setting into the sea. The dining is the same standards as the Restaurant,
just a bit simpler, which is reflected in the price. 
One hundred paces from the harbor and close to the
Restaurant, you’ll find the General Store and Café. Besides providing all
the essentials for life onboard as well as groceries for your summer house,
the General Store also has freshly baked bread, cinnamon buns, muffins and
the famous Grinda-loaf. If you are hungry, there are sandwiches, salads and
basic lunches.