New Hotel Nobis Has 21st-Century Stockholm Syndrome

Where: Norrmalmstorg 2-4, Stockholm, Sweden, 111 86

Ever seen that Charlie Sheen movie The Chase? Remember how he steals the beautiful blonde's car and takes her hostage, but he charms her so well that she ends up straddling him as they cruise down the highway, her back to the steering wheel?

Typical Charlie, we know, but it's also a perfect example of what's called the Stockholm Syndrome -- when the victim begins to identify with the person holding the gun. It doesn't take a genius to figure out this phrase stems from Sweden, but how? And why? According to the FBI, roughly 27% of victims show evidence of Stockholm Syndrome during or after an incident.

Why compassion arises for captors is still up for debate, but we got an up-close look at the origin of the phenomenon last week during a visit to the new Hotel Nobis in Stockholm. In 1973, Stockholm made headlines around the world when a bank robber held four people hostage for six days. The southern part of the hotel building (the white part adjacent to the Nobis in the photo below) was where the bank used to be, where the hostages were held.

When they finally emerged and the crisis was over, the hostages "hugged and kissed their captors, declaring their loyalty even as the kidnappers were carted off to jail." Later, the infamous saying was coined by a criminologist during a newscast in an attempt to describe the reactions of the victims.

Pretty cool, yeah? We like Nobis for Stockholm travelers wanting a historical hotel with flair. The 201-room hotel is located on Norrmalmstorg Square, which is one of the more central squares in downtown Stockholm that sits amongst the city�s business, shopping and entertainment district. It has the Italian Caina Restaurant and a bistro on site, and as you can see from the photo, it's a pretty good-looking building.

It's not cheap -- rates start at around $230/night (and rates right now are running at $445/night) - but who knows? You just might find yourself feeling good about the bill, like you got your money's worth.

And that, friends, is a feeling we're fond of.

Disclaimer: We were on assignment for another publication when visiting the Hotel Nobis, but all opinions are our own.

[Photos: theawarenesscenter.blogspot.com and Will McGough/HotelChatter]

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