The ultimate Copenhagen hotels for your next city break
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The ultimate Copenhagen hotels for your next city break
The Danish capital is one of the world’s great design centres and Copenhagen’s best hotels are as stylish as you’d expect.
Like Amsterdam, Paris and other iconic European cities, Copenhagen is the perfect spot for a mini-break, whether you're travelling in spring or autumn.
Copenhagen’s iconic colourful houses can be seen in Nyhavn harbour – the 17th- and 18th-century townhouses, which are now home to bars, restaurants and cafés, line both sides of the canal. Other highlights are the grand neoclassical buildings, cobbled streets and the city’s now repurposed waterside industrial quarters.
There are royal residences to visit, such as the Amalienborg Palace in the city’s 18th-century rococo district, Christiansborg Palace and Rosenborg Castle, which is home to the crown jewels.
There’s more to this Scandinavian city than the Little Mermaid, but a trip to the stone siren is a great place to start. Other sites of pilgrimage include Noma, one of the greatest restaurants on the planet.
Villa Copenhagen was once the Post and Telegraph office and is now one of the capital’s most luxurious hotels.
To the delight of shopaholics everywhere, Skt Petri is housed in a former department store. Or book a stay close to the characterful, colourful houses of the harbour at 71 Nyhavn. Read on for more of our favourite Copenhagen hotels…
Pol Albarrán - 2/11
1) Villa Copenhagen
This Copenhagen hotel is in what was once the Post and Telegraph office, built in 1912. It’s now one of the city’s finest five-star hotels, with a rooftop pool that has a view of the Tivoli Gardens. Period details were preserved, and 21st-century technology and approaches to sustainability were added – as was a collection of contemporary artworks.
The historic building is an excellent base from which to explore the city centre. As well as various other drinking and dining establishments, the hotel has its own bakery where you can stock up on cinnamon buns.Courtesy of the hotel - 3/11
2) Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
This seafaring stay is right on the quay, in two old grain warehouses that date back to the 1780s. The central setting means that it is within a few minutes’ walk of the four palaces of Amalienborg.
Rooms at the hotel include two-storey suites with wooden beams and a view of the waterfront. Salt serves classic Danish cuisine and wines from its impressive cellar – in summer, it sets up shop on the quayside, so guests can enjoy coffee and cocktails overlooking the Royal Opera House, the port and the Royal Playhouse.Booking.com - 4/11
3) Nobis Hotel
Close to the Tivoli Gardens, City Hall Square and the Glyptotek gallery, Nobis takes a modern approach to luxury despite its historic backdrop. The 1903 building (once the Royal Danish Academy of Music) has a grand neoclassical façade and interiors with minimalist rooms that nonetheless retained some of the period details.
As befits one of the fanciest hotels in Copenhagen, the Marble Bar serves excellent cocktails and Noi is a smart spot for supper.Nobis Hotel/Booking.com - 5/11
4) Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
Conveniently close to Stroget (the main shopping street) and the Tivoli Gardens, this hotel was the first skyscraper in Copenhagen when it opened in 1960. Today, it is the perfect Copenhagen hotel for admirers of Danish Modernism – and for more mid-century mastery, don’t miss the occasional tours of Room 606, which has been preserved precisely as it was several decades ago.
You’ll be in good company: previous patrons (as confirmed by plaques on the walls) include Oasis, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.Courtesy of the hotel - 6/11
5) Hotel SP34
In the city’s lively Latin Quarter and within walking distance of City Hall Square and the Tivoli Gardens, SP34 is a Copenhagen hotel for the young at heart, with hipster-friendly exposed bricks, statement headboards on the beds and a lively lobby with daily happy hours.
Along with a cinema, there are several bars and restaurants to choose from, such as Cocks & Cows for burgers and cocktails, and Väkst, which has a secret garden.Courtesy of the hotel - 7/11
6) Skt. Petri
The department store that Skt. Petri calls home was built in 1928. The shops may have moved out but the interiors are as fashionable as ever, with cosy (or, rather, hygge) spaces and plenty of Scandi style, plus the striking atrium lobby. At the hotel’s restaurant, enjoy signature Nordic dishes, such as Skagen toast with shrimps and dill cream.
The superb location is close to both the Latin Quarter and the historic old centre – it’s just 10 minutes on foot to Rosenborg Castle.Booking.com - 8/11
7) Andersen Hotel
In the fashionable Vesterbro neighbourhood, the Andersen is a colourful boutique hotel with a penchant for pink, whether that’s on its fuchsia walls, magenta rugs, flower murals or petal-graced cushions.
The relaxed setting means guests are guaranteed to feel at home, assisted by the tea and coffee to help themselves to in the lounge, a terrace to enjoy some drinks and a communal knitting basket. The hotel is close to the Kodbyen meatpacking district and a 20-minute walk from Christiansborg Palace.
Thomas Tolstrup - 9/11
8) The Socialist
At this 31-room hotel in Copenhagen, first impressions count, thanks to the dazzling industrial design of the 12-metre-high lobby and bar space. The building, which was once a transformer station, now has everything a boutique hotel could possibly need, from a wine cellar to a roof terrace.
The restaurant is popular with locals as well as guests. And outside of the hotel, the colourful houses along Nyhavn harbour and Charlottenborg Palace are a 10-minute walk away. The Socialist is also perfectly placed to explore Stroget, Tivoli and buzzy Vesterbro.Booking.com - 10/11
9) 71 Nyhavn
For anyone coming to Copenhagen to see its famous harbourside houses, 71 Nyhavn is an excellent hotel choice. It’s formed from two brick warehouses, which were once used as spice and tea stores. Original features such as wooden beams are intact and some of the rooms overlook the water for the quintessential Copenhagen view.
Plus, the harbour ferry has a stop just outside, which means easy access to the iconic Little Mermaid statue.Booking.com - 11/11
10) Scandic Kodbyen
As the name hints at, this hotel is in Copenhagen’s stylish meatpacking district, Kodbyen, and close to neighbouring cool quarter Vesterbro, too. The area’s carnivorous heritage is hinted at in the design, which features chopping boards hanging on butcher’s hooks and carpets that resemble ham netting.
There’s lots to see and do in Kodbyen and Vesterbro, and to get to the Tivoli Gardens, it’s just 15 minutes on foot. A handy coffee shop awaits in the lobby to get you caffeinated for days out exploring.Booking.com
