Best Western Premier Hotel Mäster Johan
Nordic delight in a city of contrasts...
Malmö, Sweden's third largest city, is permeated by a feeling of living between worlds: between Denmark and Sweden, the sea and the continent, the modern and the ancient, the nature and the urban. The city belonged to Denmark before becoming part of Sweden in the 17th century. Today the two countries are joined together by the bridge over the Oresund Straight.
The city has recently gone through huge transformations, from being the sleepy capital of the Skåne region to being a modern and vibrant city. The Turning Torso building is perhaps the best representation of this love of dichotomy. This avant-garde apartment building, Sweden's tallest structure, overlooks the city's Western Harbour that once was the centre of the city's seafaring economy and the medieval castle in a striking opposition of architectural styles. From its top floors, you may as well catch wonderful sights over the numerous parks of the city (Malmö is also called "the city of parks") which contribute to the special art de vivre in this destination.
Located in the heart of Malmö, the Best Western Premier Hotel Mäster Johan sits on the quiet Gamla Vaster, a potpourri of low, colourful street buildings and grand stone and brick establishments, surrounded by the Stortorget and Lilla Torg squares. Like much about Malmö, the hotel seamlessly combines opposing elements: modernity with a feeling of history, darkness with light.
This tour de force starts in the lobby, where a cream Broby Granite floor is inlaid with solid oak, a rare and difficult combination. Broby Granite is mined from quarries in the region around Gyllsboda to the northwest. It is highly prized by sculptors from around the world. The stairs and the walls of the elevators are made from the black form of Broby Granite called diabase.
As you make your way deeper into the hotel, the cosy ambiance and exquisite black highlights of the lobby give way to light. Lots of it. Everywhere. The architects of the Best Western Premier Hotel Mäster Johan pulled off a luminary tour de force when then designed the premises. The entire hotel, from the stunning atrium to the guest rooms, exudes lightness.
Just off the lobby is the heart of the hotel, the baroque indoor courtyard. The ingeniously designed cupola covers 130 sq. m. of gray Broby Granite dotted with contemporary tables and chairs from Sweden and Italy. It is designed to be an indoor oasis, the perfect place to catch a second wind over a drink while enjoying a light snack.
The superb breakfast buffet is served adjacent to the courtyard in a conservatory with English style furniture (you will love the authentic Lloyd Loom rattan furniture and the silver cutlery) and a gorgeous red Vanga granite floor. Europe's largest mirror made out of a single sheet of glass hands on one wall and contributes to the impressive volume and clarity that wells from this part of the hotel.
As you tilt your head back to finish off your drink, your eyes will be drawn to the black metal cats by Jonas Glock, a world famous Swedish artist. Way above you, are the guestroom floors surrounding the atrium.
The spacious bedrooms are hidden behind rich cherry wood doors. Again, light is everywhere, splashing in through the high windows. Each room is airy and bright with rare parquet floors, and equipped with the latest and best of Swedish Bang & Olufsen.
From the outside, you would think that the hotel has been part of the city for centuries. As a matter of fact, a section of wall dating back to the 15th century was excavated during the hotel's construction and has been preserved. You can admire it on your way to the modern fitness area located on the hotel's lower level.
But in fact, the hotel was built in 1990, in total respect of the surrounding neighbourhood. Johan Meinicke - Mäster Johan as he was called - a famous 17th century surgeon of Malmö, gave his name to the hotel and the street on which it is located.
Modernity and historic. Relaxed and vibrant. Sea and shore. Never has living amidst contradiction been so comfortable.
| Best Western Premier Hotel Mäster Johan |
| Masterjohansgatan 13, Malmo, SE, Malmö, Sweden - SE-211 21 |
| Phone: +46 40 664 64 00 Fax: +46 40 664 64 01 |