Get pampered at Sweden’s glass art hotel Kosta Boda Art Hotel is not only an excellent hotel and award-winning spa, this is also a showroom for fantastic art by the designers at Kosta Boda glassworks. An explosion of colour and form awaits the guests, to stimulate the mind and the body. By Malin Norman | Photos: Kosta Boda Art Hotel
Located in Kosta Boda with its almost 300-year-old history of glass blowing, it comes as no surprise that the town’s hotel also has something to do with glass. The glassworks was founded back in 1742 by Anders Koskull and Georg Bogislaus Staël von Holstein, two officers in Karl XII’s army. Today, Orrefors-Kosta Boda glassworks is one of Sweden’s most internationally known brands and the area is often referred to as the Kingdom of Crystal. Kosta Boda Art Hotel opened in 2009, with New Wave Group as a stable long-term owner. The hotel can be described as a showroom for glass, and has proved to be 40 | Issue 92 | September 2016
can also be found throughout the hotel, including in the Glass Bar and the Art Lobby Bar, in the Linnéa Art Restaurant, and even displayed at the bottom of the swimming pool.
a successful and highly praised concept. “Glass is the common theme at the hotel, with rooms individually decorated with glass art from our fantastic designers at Kosta Boda,” explains marketing manager Ulrica Olsson. “This is an exceptional environment and we are incredibly proud to carry on the tradition of the glassworks.”
Unsurprisingly, the hotel is very proud of its collaboration with the artists, who have all added their own characteristic expression and created a unique environment for the guests. The list of prominent designers includes Anna Ehrner, Göran Wärff, Ulrica HydmanVallien, Bertil Vallien, Kjell Engman, Åsa Jungnelius, and Ludvig Löfgren.
Unique glass art
All in all, the hotel showcases art for around 52 million SEK and everything is for sale, including artwork and furniture and even small details such as glass tumblers. “It’s easy for our guests to see how the glass and artwork can fit into their homes. And as they buy pieces, or
Seven of Sweden’s most famous designers from Kosta Boda glassworks, which is located just across the street, have contributed with glass art and textiles for the hotel’s 102 guest rooms, corridors and meeting facilities. They