“Hey, Pauline, what’s next on the agenda?”

 

“Well”, replied Pauline Risbecker-Kim, the second generation owner of Risbecker International, the most prestigious Destination Management Company in Sweden, “now we’re going to get in this Rigid Inflatable Boat developed by the military to accelerate to sixty miles an hour in just a few seconds, and just cruise slowly across the harbor to look at one of the many incredible venues for unique off-site events in Stockholm. Don’t worry, we won’t be accelerating to sixty mph in a few seconds and then bouncing over waves or making very sharp turns at high speeds, just a very gentle trip across the harbor.”

 

“Hey Pauline”, said the captain of our gentle craft, “we have some extra time, would your guests like to go fast?”

 

“OK, I guess.” A faint alarm bell went off in my head when the captain gave me a life jacket and said it would self-inflate when I hit the water. Hit the water? You mean if I fall in, right? And it should be “if,” not “when,” right? The alarm got a little louder when he handled me goggles. Goggles? And finally, with a smile, he said, “If you think we are going too fast, raise your hand.”

 

In the few seconds it took to go from 0 to 60 I thought that to raise my hand would require me letting go of my death grip on the steel bar located conveniently in front of me. That was not going to happen.

 

Yes, I am exaggerating of course for effect to make a good story. The speed was actually a lot of fun, like flying over the water. The sharp turns were fun too; boy, that captain is a hoot. And hitting the waves created by the wakes of those giant cruise ships and bouncing up in the air and then slamming down on the water at high speeds… no problem… I just used my experience on horseback and calmly posted my way through the scenic Stockholm archipelago. At least I think it was scenic.

 

Why Stockholm? The question is not why I was in Stockholm. That’s obvious. I go everywhere so I can learn what’s best for my clients. The question is why should you take a meeting or an incentive group there? Here’s why…

 

It’s safe, clean, has an ultra-modern infrastructure, almost everyone speaks English, its beautiful, quaint, has a ton of things to do, both cultural and for the physically active, has a wide range of hotel facilities and some outstanding venues, has an active night life, and although I can’t speak for the men, the women are really good-looking. 

 

There is plenty of lift from all the major gateway cities in Europe, plus several direct flights from the USA. Most important of all, if you choose Stockholm as a potential destination, Pauline from Risbecker, who, by the way, knows everyone in Stockholm (and I mean everyone), will take excellent care of you. Some other great things about Pauline… she never gets flustered by anything, and she has a good sense of humor, even when you are making fun of the fact that Swedes do not have a sense of humor.

 

It is not their fault though. It is difficult to develop a sense of irony when everything in the country has been so good for so long. Everyone is happy. No contrast, no irony, no sarcasm. Hard to imagine.  I am teasing of course. They do make jokes about their Royal Family (French imports by the way, but all named Gustav, Carl or Oscar), and sometimes about the Danes. But it’s all in fun. One other thing about Pauline… she can trace her lineage back over 1000 years to the Viking king, Bluetooth. I am not sure if he invented hands-free pillaging and looting, or if there was some other reason for the name. Thought it was worth mentioning. One of our guides told us Bluetooth was actually Norwegian, but one look from Pauline and she will never make that mistake again. Back to business…

 

The place to stay for an American incentive group or high-end meeting is the 376-room Grand Hotel. It is classic, elegant, has a great location, offers five-star accommodations and service and is where every VIP who has ever been to Stockholm stays. When Pauline’s parents were running the business years ago, an 8-year old Pauline used to throw peanuts from the balcony on to the heads of passers-by. I am not absolutely positive, but I believe she has discontinued this practice. Despite the danger of falling peanuts, I highly recommend the Grand.

 

But… if I were the decision-maker I would be faced with a tough decision, The Grand or the 81-room Hotel Skeppsholmen (no matter how you try to pronounce it, you will be wrong). The HS is a delightful hotel on one of the many islands of Stockholm. To say it is on an island is deceiving in that it is connected to the main part of town by a small bridge and so is literally a five minute walk to town, or a very short ferry ride to just about anywhere. Stockholm is mostly islands anyway, so you might as well get used to that. The hotel was built as a military barracks in 1699 and has remained more or less intact, except completely renovated in that modern, minimalist Swedish style.

 

Why do I like it so much? The island is like a park, no traffic, beautiful views of the city, but away from the more crowded touristy-parts. The hotel is not huge, and so an incentive group or board meeting can have the feeling of a small resort and the very attentive staff’s full attention. The restaurant is excellent, and if the weather is good, one can sit outside and see the Old Town through the trees and across the water. It’s a popular weekend get-away for the wealthier out-of-town Swedes and apparently they know what they are doing.

 

A third option is the brand new, 5-Star quality 205-room Nubis Hotel. It also has a good location in town and is located within a block of the water. It is more of a business hotel than an incentive property, but the rooms are well appointed and the service extremely friendly and efficient. You will like it.   If someone from the hotel happens to read this, the only suggestion I have is that you either get a doorman or build a ramp by the front steps. It just did not seem five-star to arrive after an overnight flight and not be greeted at the door, or have someone help us carry our luggage. Later I also observed a young couple struggling to carry their twin-baby stroller up the steps, with no one there to help them. Just saying. Other than that detail, great place.

 

I also checked out the boutique (and chic) Lydmar Hotel, the new place to be seen in the Stockholm scene. This is where the art, film, music, and fashion people currently choose to stay, and so one is guaranteed good people watching. The restaurant and bar are exceedingly popular with beautiful people, and the not necessarily beautiful but rich and powerful people they work for. The guest rooms are decorated in that, “Let’s be creative Ian Schraeger” style, and the hallways are art and photo galleries themselves. There was some great stuff there that I asked Pauline to put in her purse for me, but unfortunately she declined. There was also some “art” of questionable taste, and guests must be open-minded to appreciate it. I think the hallway lined with photographs of under-age Thai prostitutes is better suited for a gallery one chooses to go to, rather than a gallery one is forced to go through to get to one’s room. Just saying.

 

One nice thing about a city of islands is that it is easy to get to a boat. From most hotels it is a short walk to a dock where a group can take a cocktail cruise for an hour before stopping at the Old Town, and then walk a block or two to one of the many excellent restaurants available. It is sort of a group must-do, especially in the late spring to late summer when the sun barely sets. We dined at the Fem Sma Hus (Five Small Houses), a subterranean den of cellar vaults and winding staircases. Cool.

 

There are some other fantastic private dining options, like the Strandvagen 7A formerly a very (very) large flat converted into a private meeting or banquet facility. The former living room (it’s big) has large windows and beautiful views of the harbor. Also cool.

 

But the Grande Dame of Stockholm venues is the Opera House. It is, in fact, more like 8 or 9 venues in one, and can facilitate groups both intimate and on a grand scale, including all of the Royal Families’ events and entertainment. The Opera Café is THE place for famous musicians to party and for impromptu performances. Apparently one never knows who might show up; The Rolling Stones, Prince, and other famous dropped names. It stays open late. I think something else happens in the Opera House related to the Nobel Prize. Not a big deal. Oh, it also is the actual Opera House, so there is that too.

 

How can you mention Stockholm without mentioning The Nobel Prize “thing.” A gala awards dinner in Stockholm naturally lends itself to the most famous prizes on the planet. Not only a Nobel theme, but where they actually do it. Talk about memorable.

 

There is so much more but I do not have the time, and you do not have the patience, to hear about all of the options both in and around Stockholm. So… ask me, (important note… it does not hurt to ask) and we’ll get some fantastic options to you right away.