The Nordics • Stay • The 15 best boutique and luxury hotels in Copenhagen
Ask a dozen people about their favourite hotel, and you’ll likely get a dozen different responses. A favourite hotel is as much of a personal preference as your favourite movie, book or singer. But in our opinion, the best hotels have a few things in common: they feel intimate and personal (regardless of size or number of rooms), they have a distinctive vibe, the staff offers superb service and the architecture and interior design are unique and full of character. We love them even more when they are deeply ingrained in the local neighbourhood and culture. Here’s our list of ten carefully crafted Copenhagen boutique and luxury hotels that tell a strong story.s
Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital, is a city of delightful contrasts with each neighborhood offering a distinct experience. Here are our favourite Copenhagen areas and what makes each one unique and dear to our hearts.
When we long to be at the centre of it all, Indre By calls us. The cobblestone streets, lined with historical buildings and bustling market squares, teem with life and offer endless opportunities for exploration. Here, the past and present mingle seamlessly, providing a charming backdrop for our city adventures. Indre By is where Copenhagen’s pulse beats the strongest, inviting us to dive into its rich history and vibrant street life.
There’s an irresistibly lively atmosphere in Nørrebro that draws us in when we crave a youthful and dynamic setting. Known for its diverse culture and artistic flair, this area boasts a mix of old bazaars, hip cafes and green spaces, all buzzing with energy. Nørrebro is the place to experience Copenhagen’s multicultural vibrancy and creative spirit, making it a favourite for those seeking a more eclectic urban experience.
For moments when we seek tranquillity without straying far from the city buzz, Østerbro is our sanctuary. This upscale neighbourhood, with its elegant avenues and chic boutiques, offers a quieter side of Copenhagen. Østerbro’s spacious parks and family-friendly attractions provide a peaceful retreat from the urban frenzy, making it an ideal spot for leisurely days spent enjoying the finer, calmer aspects of city life.
Vesterbro lures us with its creative pulse and bohemian vibes. Once a working-class and redlight district, it has transformed into a thriving hub of art and nightlife. The area’s vintage shops, cool bars and trendy restaurants encapsulate the artistic renovation of the city. Vesterbro is our go-to for a night out and a taste of Copenhagen’s modern, artistic edge.
When we desire a touch of exclusivity and greenery, Frederiksberg is unmatched. This independent municipality within Copenhagen is known for its posh residential streets, beautiful gardens and high-end shopping. Staying here means indulging in sophistication and serenity, surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive architectural sights and lush landscapes.
When summer arrives, Amager becomes our beachfront haven. This area, with its combination of modern developments and natural reserves, offers a unique blend of urban and beach life. From enjoying watersports to relaxing in seaside cafes, Amager provides a perfect escape where city life meets the tranquillity of sandy beaches and open skies, encapsulating the essence of a Danish summer by the sea.
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When Alexander Kolpin ended his career as a successful ballet dancer (at the height of his career, he was awarded the Prix Benois de la Danse for best male dancer) he rejoined the family business to become a hotelier. The run-down townhouse Opera Hotel was renamed Hotel Sanders (after Alexander) and transformed into a sophisticated and intimate bolthole in the middle of town located not far from Kongens Nytorv. London-based design firm Lind + Almond was enlisted to create the interior design, which is a surprisingly successful amalgamation between Danish mid-century modern, Karen Blixen-esque colonial and Parisian bistro style.
Read the full article on Hotel Sanders.
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Sanders
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When Copenhagen restaurant group Copenhagen Food Collective – Cofoco, in short – branched out into accommodation, the new hotel’s name was a no-brainer: Coco Hotel. Located in the hip and bustling Vesterbro area, Scandi cool meets Parisian boho chic with a cool aesthetic created in collaboration between Jaja Architects, Tonen Agency and Københavns Møbelsnedkeri. Sustainability is high on the hotel’s agenda – Coco Hotel is self-sufficient with sustainable energy generated by the hospitality group’s own solar park in Northern Jutland.
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Photography courtesy of Coco Hotel
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Photography courtesy of Nimb Hotel
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Photography courtesy of Nobis Hotel
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Villa Copenhagen is very likely the last decade’s most ambitious hospitality project in all of Scandinavia. Housed in a 1912 neo-baroque edifice that was once the headquarters for Denmark’s post and telegraph office (an aerial view of the building spells out the letters P – for ‘post’ – and T – for ‘telegraf’), the building’s heritage and its unique features have been carefully preserved and thoughtfully fused with all the amenities expected from a contemporary 5-star stay.
Read the full article on Villa Copenhagen.
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Photography courtesy of Villa Copenhagen
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Photography courtesy of Hotel d’Angleterre
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Audo Copenhagen is not your regular stay. The refurbished old merchants’ house in the Nyhavn area has received a complete makeover by Norm Architects and the Danish design brand Audo Copenhagen. The space has been designed as a hybrid between a hotel, a design shop, an event space, a restaurant and a café. As such, it encourages interactions between locals and guests alike. Considering the thought that has gone into creating Audo, the vibe is decidedly elegant in a modern way.
Read the full article on Audo Copenhagen.
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The epitome of a good neighbourhood hotel, Hotel SP34 is one we keep returning to again and again. Its location on historic Sankt Peders Stræde, which the hotel is also named after, puts it at the heart of Copenhagen’s bohemian Latin Quarter. The juxtaposition of rough industrial concrete floors and walls and delicate mid-century Danish furniture by Carl Hansen & Son make for a bolthole that is both edgy and cosy – and thoroughly Danish.
Read the full article on Hotel SP34.
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Photography courtesy of Hotel SP34
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Photography courtesy of Manon Les Suites
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Danmark
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Positioned in the architectural gem of Copenhagen, the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel – aka SAS Royal – breathes life into Arne Jacobsen’s vision of Danish Modern design. The refurbished skyscraper, the work of Space Copenhagen in 2021, graces the city with its striking 1950s Manhattan aesthetic, echoing inside with a melange of refined lines, curvaceous forms and monochrome marble. Each signature suite, resplendent with Jacobsen’s timeless Egg and Swan chairs, frames an enchanting cityscape view. Yet, the true pièce de résistance is Room 606, a carefully preserved homage to the original 1960s Jacobsen design.
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Photography courtesy of Space Copenhagen and Radisson Collection Royal Hotel
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Photography courtesy of Hotel Skt Petri
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Breathing vibrant life into an iconic 1800s edifice, Grand Joanne stands proudly in Vesterbro’s heart, Copenhagen. With a symphony of 162 individually designed rooms, this hotel encapsulates comfort, from cosy chambers to the exclusive penthouse with its private terrace offering views over Vesterbro. Grand Joanne is not just a place to stay; it’s a cornucopia of experiences, sparking shared memories through music, food, drinks and culture, emanating an inviting ambience of kindness and genuine warmth. A stay here is a dive into the historical pulse of Copenhagen itself.
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