A boutique hotel, with 109 rooms, in a 1780 building in Södermalm, best known for its mix-and-match design approach where rooms lean into distinct themes rather than a uniform hotel look. Expect eclectic, personality-heavy interiors (from Scandinavian minimalism to vintage, industrial, and NYC or Paris-inspired styles) paired with a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
How was your first impression?
You enter NOFO through a quiet courtyard from Tjärhovsgatan. It’s a five-minute walk from Medborgarplatsen metro station, at Södermalm, but the secluded yard gives you the feeling you’re far away from the buzzling city. In summer, the courtyard opens as a tucked-away outdoor terrace – the kind of spot that’s hard to find if you don’t know it’s there.It looks like the kind of place you’d happily “hide” for a glass of wine on a warm evening.
The wine bar is cozy and nicer than we expected from the outside, and it’s also bigger than it looks. There’s a small lobby area by the elevator, but it feels too tight for hanging out, so the wine bar is really the main social space. You can also order food here. First impression: stylish, well thought out, and definitely on the “hip boutique hotel” side.
Tell us about the scene and the crowd. What’s the vibe like?
This is one of the most atmospheric hotels we’ve stayed at in Stockholm. You can feel the owners’ interest in travel and design in the details, and the hotel leans into that idea rather than trying to look “neutral.”
Each floor has its own theme (for example Scandinavia, Paris, or New York, and we stayed on the New York floor). The décor, artwork, and even the background music work together to create a clear mood. The crowd felt mixed, with different ages and travel styles, not one single “type” of guest.
Let’s cut to the chase: how’s the room? Cozy, chic, or just meh?
Rooms vary a lot, since they’re designed in different styles rather than using one standard look. Our room had an attic-like feel, with a rougher, more urban design.
That said, a couple of details put style ahead of function. The small round bedside table rattled with the lightest touch, which made it hard to place or pick up a phone quietly at night. The other bedside option was a low cabinet that fit the hotel’s industrial-vintage look, but the drawer was awkward to open and also felt a bit “clanky.” The design looked right, but it didn’t feel practical.
Overall though, the room felt clean, comfortable, and visually strong. The main thing we didn’t like was the glass door to the toilet. It lets in light, sure, but we don’t really understand why some hotels keep choosing glass doors for bathrooms.
Be honest: is the bathroom more “spa goals” or “avoid eye contact with the mirror”?
A distinct design with black tiles, a framed mirror with built in lights. The bathroom door is a glass door that is partly fogged. You can love it or hate it, more and more hotels seem to be going for glass bathroom doors.
Clean and pleasant, but very small, and smaller than most Stockholm hotels we’ve stayed in. We wondered if that was part of the “New York” idea, but either way, it’s tight.
The sink was a little too small, and the black tiles made the space feel even darker and more cramped. On the plus side, the shower size was good, and there was a large mirror. Just don’t expect much space to spread out your toiletries.
Let’s talk perks: minibar treasures, toiletries you want to hoard – any keepers?
Toiletries were quite basic and minimal, so bring your own favorites if that matters to you. The mini bar had some wine, water, Coke and Swedish beer from Åre Bryggeri. For snacks there were some potato chops, and some chocolate bars, from the local chocolate manufacturer, Chokladfabriken, here at Södermalm.
Did breakfast hit the spot?
Breakfast is served in the same space as the wine bar (which runs in the afternoon and evening). The room is bigger than it first seems, and it’s divided into a few seating areas, so you can choose a quieter corner or sit more centrally.
The vibe feels more like a small café or boutique dining room than a large hotel breakfast hall: calm, simple, and not too noisy. The selection was solid, with both hot and cold options, cold cuts, cereal/muesli, and something sweet. Overall, it’s a nice space to start the day.
What’s the bonus round here? Think gyms, pools, spa magic, or even parking perks – anything worth a shout-out?
For us, the biggest “extra” is the wine bar connected to the hotel. It adds warmth and life to the place, and it’s an easy option if you want a relaxed drink or a simple meal without going out again.
The verdict: should we book it? And why – or why not?
Yes, we’d book it again. It has a clear boutique feel, a welcoming wine bar with food and drinks, and a great Södermalm location close to Medborgarplatsen.
It’s a five-minute walk from Medborgarplatsen metro station, without any of the noise you might expect that close to the action. The main downsides are the small bathroom (at least in our room) and two design choices we didn’t love: the glass bathroom door, and bedside furniture that rattled and felt noisy when you placed things on it. If you enjoy hotels with personality and mood, NOFO is a strong choice.
Hotel website: nofohotel.se
Address: Tjärhovsgatan 11
