Hotel Mimer
© Теxt & Photos by Amazing Magazines
We are going on a trip to northern Sweden. E4 motorway takes us through regions Medelpad and Ångermanland, which stretches along the coastline. Watching through the car window we can enjoy fantastic views which hurry by and replace each other. I watch the sunset and at the same time I feel thrilled and proud. Swedish landscape idyll is exciting to depths of my heart and I do understand why our northern region attracts so many tourists who want to enjoy the beautiful and so well-preserved nature. We go over the bridge Högakustensbron. Its pylon height is 182 m and when passing them, a majestic feeling appears. Length of the bridge from pylon to pylon is 1,210 meters and it is the longest bridge distance between the pylons throughout Sweden. Here one can enjoy unique sights, that remind of a documentary nature film. The only thing the complete sense of idyll lacks is a calm voice of the popular British naturalist Sir David Attenborough, that could add a detailed description to this indescribable view.
We go to the Kungsgatan 75 in Umeå, where our destination -the hotel "Elite Hotel Mimer" is located. It opened its doors in April 2016 and became the twenty-eighth hotel in the chain of "Elite Hotels of Sweden”. We clearly wanted to go to Umeå- birch city and learn more about this popular project.
When entering the parking lot, located in the same front of a venerable hotel Mimer, I understand why the building is called a cultural treasure. Grand stone building in the Gothic style built in 1900-ies, leaves no one indifferent.. On the south side the afternoon sun paints brownish-red bricks of the building in warm colors, which kindly invites everyone, and frankly speaking, in these latitudes, it is difficult to find something similar.
As opening the big glass doors, you can immediately understand that this building was initially a school. Wide staircases play a central role and spacious windows brighten the architecture of the building even more, they generously fill the room with sunlight. On the left of the entrance there is a glazed elevator that helps the light of day to pass through the open elevator shaft and transfer it further – in the hall and corridors. A few steps above the stairs, the hotel guest reception and waiting room are located. Slightly darker lighting gives the room a peaceful and relaxing mood. The red carpet that led us all the way from the entrance, combines with the hotel's interior very well. Being in the waiting room, on the right there are red velvet curtains across the length of wall, which stretch from the ceiling to the ground. They surround a huge, modern painting and below it there is the niche, decorated with large candles. For the comfort of the hotel guests a comfortable furniture is arranged in a cozy manner for everyone to relax or simply enjoy the atmosphere. Along the opposite wall stretches an impressive reception desk, which is clothed with dark tinted glass and adorned with decorative birch leaves, which is like a tribute to the city. From the lobby there is "Mimer" restaurant available, which according to the "Hotel Mimer" website is the heart of the hotel.
We are warmly expected by the hotel manager Sara Johansson, "Welcome to Umeå and at Elite Hotel Mimer. I hope you had a pleasant journey!" The main reception employee Klara Bejstam registers us and kindly serves us press materials and room keys. "We've booked you a table in our restaurant, which is open until 23:00 in the evening!"
Despite the fact that since the hotel opened it's been only a few weeks, there is a wide range of activities here that replace each other. Interior design works are completed, furniture is on its place and modern decorations decorate the new hotel. Elsewhere it happened to see that before the opening the employees actively correct the last details or rush to compete some unfinished work, but here, at Mimer, everything is ready for guests’ reception. There is a successful hotel businessman Bicky Chakraborty, who is behind this project. He, as the founder and general manager of the hotel chain "Elite Hotels of Sweden”, over the years, has always been alongside, participated in the restoration works and transformed many of the country's historic buildings. Today "Elite Hotels of Sweden" can be proud of 32 hotels in 22 regions of Sweden, which employs around 1.400 inhabitants. In 2008 B. Chakraborty was awarded the Royal Medal (Royal Patriotic Sällskapets Näringslivsmedalj) for investment in the development of Swedish business.
We go to the modern restaurant, which is located on the north side. Here a dynamic balance between modern architecture and hotel’s beginning is felt. The facade here is glassed and the middle area is framed by the heavy, dark ceiling that is lowered, but in combination with the restaurant's spacious rooms have a bright and cozy atmosphere. Style of the rooms has been carefully thought through, therefore a restaurant radiates personality with strong character. Interior elements- sofas, tables and chairs are made of materials that have been chosen very relevant both in form and color, depending on the location in the room. Being here, there is a warm and pleasant feeling and thanks to the high, glassed ceiling, through which you can enjoy the sun and the sky, there is a feeling that we are in the backyard garden.
Around dinner time we read about the city Umeå history and Mimer hotel building. We learn that the hotel project lasted about 1.5 years. To start the building transformation of this scale requires quite a number of preparations, planning and design. Clearly that there are so many expectations and beliefs that anyone should be taken into account emplementing such a building construction project. When in 2008 the real estate company "Lerstenen" offered the opportunity to transform one of the city's largest stone buildings into the hotel, the offer was quite seriously discussed. This old school building has an important emotional value for Umeå inhabitants and it is one of the country's historical and cultural buildings in the state national heritage list, called "Delar with Umeå Centre" (part of Umeå city center).
Elite Hotels of Sweden has always worked to keep the old and venerable buildings, which is also clearly expressed in the company's website, namely-„We protect and save an important cultural heritage. Those who have been at "Elite Hotels of Sweden" hotels, such as Hotel Knaust, Mollberg Hotel and Hotel Savoy clearly understand that the Mimer building faced with a unique opportunity, and so in 2014 "Lerstenen" got the building from the Umeå municipality and modification work could begin. Also important is the fact that due to the creation of the hotel, there was about 40 new jobs.
After a delicious meal in the cozy restaurant, we are going to look at the hotel. We look into the famous Mimersalen, which today is used as a meeting hall, as well as being prepared for banquets. The hall is equipped with modern audio and video devices that are used both in presentations and larger conferences. The hall ceiling has been carefully restored and gives the space, that once was the main school hall, personality and atmosphere with a special character. The hotel offers 139 rooms, including one suit and two junior suites. Most of the rooms, each has its own style, depending on their location in the building.
I am still excited about the fact that those who have participated in the implementation of the project has managed to breathe life into the old building and how successfully the old school is combined with the idea of developing into a modern hotel. Personally, I believe that the result is great and writing an article on this building will be a great pleasure. We go back to the peaceful lobby space and begin to plan our photo session.
Inspiring.se - © Теxt & Photos by Amazing Magazines
