This week my colleague Katie and I had the opportunity to learn more about and celebrate the Nordic members of The Leading Hotels of the World and chat with representatives from Visit Norway and Visit Sweden. Founded in 1928 by European hoteliers, LHW is the largest luxury hotel collection, with more than 430 one-of-a-kind hotels and resorts around the globe. The prestigious organization’s Nordic portfolio includes unique 5-star properties in prime locations in Denmark, Sweden and Norway that blend history and tradition with modern luxury.

With a history dating back to 1755, Hotel d’Angleterre is a Copenhagen landmark centrally located near the Royal Danish Theatre and the popular Støget shopping street. Constructed as a Neoclassic palace, the hotel has preserved its historical features and classic spirit while renovating and updating its guestrooms and public areas with the latest technology and modern designs. Following the most ambitious hotel restoration in Danish history, the new 90-room property reopened to the public in May 2013 with modern touches and offers guests meeting and event facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, new and unique dining venues, a tranquil spa and a fitness center with Scandinavia’s largest indoor hotel swimming pool.

Equally impressive and colorfully historic, Grand Hôtel Stockholm qualifies as a prime attraction in itself, with a beautiful façade and convenient waterfront location overlooking the Royal Palace and Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. The Grand provides guests with a variety of dining and recreational amenities, including the classic Swedish Veranda restaurant, Mathias Dahlgren’s Michelin star restaurants and a spa and fitness club featuring hot saunas and cool dipping pools.

Occupying a prime position in the heart of Oslo a few minutes from the city’s historic landmarks, Hotel Continental has been owned and operated by the same family since its debut in 1900. The elegant and contemporary hotel boasts rooms looking out to the beautiful Oslo fjord and a legendary Vienna-style restaurant, Theatercaféen, on The New York Times list of the 10 most famous cafés. To cater to business travelers, the property will introduce newly renovated meeting and event space fully equipped with modern technology in August.

The event was held at Aquavit in New York City. Guests sampled traditional Scandinavian cuisine and modern Nordic selections while celebrating the properties. Highlights included fresh diver scallops and delicious Swedish meatballs with potato purée, pickled cucumber, cream sauce and lingonberries. If you can’t make it out to any of the above luxury hotels, be sure to visit Aquavit on your next trip to the city for a Scandinavian experience.

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator