No trip to Denmark is complete without embracing the “hygge” lifestyle while relaxing in one of the best hotels in Copenhagen. This is the quirky, cool, cultural, and historic Danish capital, after all, and you’ll quickly learn that the unique Danish concept of wellbeing (“hygge”) is one that you won’t easily leave behind!
Copenhagen is well known for its coffee and cycling cultures, and you can easily spend your days kicking back with a fresh brew overlooking the harbor after pedaling past the city’s best sights and attractions. This is a city of canals, lakes, and waterways, and you’ll quickly come to love the sea breeze, the public beaches, and the open-water swimming (yes, even in the winter!).
With its retro amusement parks and grand royal palaces, Copenhagen is certainly traditional, but you’ll find that history blends seamlessly with the modern in this vibrant city. There are so many great things to do and places to see – from the colorful houses of Nyhavn to the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
There’s the iconic Mermaid Statue, the Amalienborg and Christiansborg palaces, and countless museums, galleries, and cultural institutions to visit. There’s even Freetown Christiania to explore if you ever wondered what it was like to live in a free-living commune!
Copenhagen is one of the most livable cities in Europe, and we know that you’re going to love everything that the Danish capital has to offer. If you’re planning your next getaway, keep reading, as we explain exactly where to stay in Copenhagen.
Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Copenhagen
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Where to stay in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is known for its picturesque canals and waterways, and you’ll love how many of the best hotels overlook the harbor. The most colorful hotels, houses, and historic buildings are found in Nyhavn – the “New Harbor” – an industrial feat of engineering that was built in the 17th century.
Today, Nyhavn is packed with both modern five-star hotels and quirky boutique retreats. Stay in a Nyhavn hotel, and you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by history and heritage, as well as great cafes, bars, restaurants, and Copenhagen’s famous beaches and waterfront parks.
Cross over the canal from Nyhavn, and you’ll be in Christianshavn, where you’ll find more elegant hotels overlooking the water. Cross back to the city, and you’ll find that Copenhagen’s modern downtown is centered around Indre By (in English, the “inner city”).
This is where you’ll find the most extensive range of hotels and some of the best places to stay in Copenhagen – including unusual design hotels and swanky five-star classics in the heart of the city.
A bit removed from Indre By, there are also some excellent five-star accommodation options available in Vesterbro, right next to Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens. You’ll find rooftop swimming pools, Moorish-inspired hotels, and much more in this high-end neighborhood.
If you’re planning a trip to the Danish capital, you’ll want to know where to find the best hotels in Copenhagen. So, we’ve compiled our list of the best boutique hotels in the city to help you find the perfect hotel for your stay in Copenhagen!
The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Copenhagen
1. NH Collection Copenhagen
If you love a five-star hotel that doesn’t pretend to offer anything other than simple, understated luxury, then the NH Collection Copenhagen is for you! This is one of the best hotels in Copenhagen, and its excellent waterfront location overlooking the harbor simply can’t be beat when it comes to convenience.
Those waterfront views are incredible, but you’re also going to appreciate how the NH Collection Copenhagen embraces its industrial harborside past. This was once the headquarters of a local shipbuilding operation, and throughout the hotel, you’ll find sly nods and nostalgic reminders of the past.
The 394 hotel rooms are all decidedly modern, and you’ll find nothing but comfort after a long day of sightseeing. There are leather headboards, “Sleep Better” mattresses, and rain showers as standard. Each room has a Nespresso machine to perk you up, while the best rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with views over the harbor.
You can work out in the hotel’s fully equipped gym, which is open 24 hours a day, or you can spend your downtime enjoying wine and Spanish-style tapas (served with a Danish flair) at the excellent Tabla Fina bar and restaurant.
The NH Collection Copenhagen is on the Christianshavn side of the harbor. It’s just a short walk away from famous sights like the Royal Library, Freetown Christiania, and Christiansborg Palace, making this the perfect base for your stay in the Danish capital.
2. 71 Nyhavn Hotel
If stylish interiors are your thing, then you’ll quickly fall in love with 71 Nyhavn Hotel. This is definitely one of the best boutique hotels in Copenhagen. This quirky hotel combines style and flawless interior design with unique historical elements that date back to the 1800s.
71 Nyhavn Hotel started life as a pair of waterfront warehouses, which have since left their industrial days far behind. The two warehouses are now joined together, and they’ve been transformed into a beautiful hotel that has an incredible location overlooking the harbor.
Step inside, and you’ll find that the interior of the two warehouses has been masterfully converted into 130 luxury rooms. The thick, original pinewood beams that support the structure of the hotel have been kept intact, adding to the historical feel that you’ll find throughout. The light wood floors contrast with the darker pinewood, and the simple yet effective whitewashed walls add light and character to the rooms.
The best rooms offer views over the harbor. Plus, you’re going to appreciate the excellent location in Nyhavn, where you’re just a short walk away from downtown Copenhagen’s best attractions. There’s a sleek bar serving local beers and craft gins, but the real highlight is the on-site Thai restaurant, which is run by the same team that operates Copenhagen’s famous Michelin-starred Kiin Kiin brand.
3. Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is without a doubt one of the best hotels in Copenhagen. This upscale hotel offers luxury, heritage, and fine dining, all under one roof, while on top of the roof, you’ll find Villa Copenhagen’s fancy open-air swimming pool!
Villa Copenhagen is a masterful exercise in repurposing, as the building was originally built in 1912 to be the Central Post & Telegraph Head Office. There are 390 refined rooms, each of which has been designed with the hotel’s unique “conscious luxury” ethos in mind. This means that you’ll have lots of space, lots of light, and all of the necessary amenities you need to enjoy a supremely comfortable stay in the city.
Head to the rooftop after settling in to enjoy panoramic views of Copenhagen and of Tivoli Gardens (which is opposite the hotel). You’ll love how they’ve kept the red brick facade of this historical building intact but have elegantly added the modern touch of a 25-meter, sustainably heated swimming pool, sauna, and terrace bar to the rooftop!
Villa Copenhagen also has an on-site bakery, a cocktail bar, and a beautiful courtyard bar and bistro that sits beneath an impressive glass dome ceiling. The best dining experience is to be had at Kontrast, a forward-thinking brasserie that focuses on serving fresh, seasonal, organic, and sustainably sourced produce to Villa Copenhagen’s guests.
4. Copenhagen Admiral Hotel
Copenhagen is very much a waterfront city, and if you’re hoping to immerse yourself in the Danish capital’s nautical heritage, then a stay at Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is a must. This is one of the most unique hotels in Copenhagen, and you’re going to love the maritime themes preserved throughout.
The property itself was built as a warehouse back in 1787, and while the building has now been converted into a cool boutique hotel, you’ll find that the original Pomeranian pine wood beams and 18th-century brickwork have been tastefully preserved. The hotel’s luxury rooms are designed around these dark pinewood features, but there are contrasting, light wood furnishings and minimalist interior decor to add a modern feel to your stay.
You’ll find that the Salt Bar and Restaurant offers a refined, fresh menu that’s also inspired by the sea. You’ll have great views of the harbor while you dine on fresh seafood, and in the summer, you can sit out on the terrace and take in the salty sea breeze.
Copenhagen Admiral Hotel has a waterfront location overlooking the harbor – but this isn’t just any waterfront location. You’ll find this charming boutique hotel is right next to Amaliehaven and Ofelia Beach, in one of Copenhagen’s most iconic spots.
5. Nobis Hotel Copenhagen
Copenhagen has no shortage of historic hotels, but if you’d love to stay in one of the most luxurious, heritage-listed establishments in the city, then we can’t recommend Nobis Hotel Copenhagen enough.
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen is located within a building that dates back to 1903. We’re confident that you’re going to marvel at the classical Danish architecture on arrival, but just wait until you see the modern interiors that have been designed by Swedish interior designer and architect Gert Wingardh.
Luxury rooms at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen all feature custom-made furnishings, light wood floors, and colorful yet simple interior decor. The bathrooms are all marbled and offer walk-in rain showers, while an upgrade to a suite will provide you with a freestanding bathtub.
Scandinavian-inspired cocktails and light bar bites are served at the Marble Bar, but save room for a dining experience at the hotel’s excellent NOI restaurant. NOI serves fusion dishes with a focus on locally sourced ingredients and worldly inspiration.
If you’re looking to stay close to downtown Copenhagen, this boutique hotel is perfectly located. It’s just a few minutes’ walk away from the famous Tivoli Gardens, while many major Copenhagen landmarks are also nearby.
6. Nimb Hotel
The Moorish designs of Nimb Hotel might seem strangely out of place among the classical European architecture of Copenhagen, but not so when you consider this luxury hotel is located within the world-famous Tivoli Gardens.
The outlandish building was built in 1909 and was intended to provide a romanticized glimpse into North African culture and history to anyone visiting Tivoli Gardens. In 2008, the Moorish-style palace was converted into a five-star hotel, and with just 38 luxury rooms on offer, it’s been in high demand ever since!
You’ll love the four-poster beds, the freestanding bathtubs, the antique furnishings, and the ultra-luxe amenities and comforts that come as standard in every room at Nimb Hotel. You’ll not only have views of Tivoli Garden itself but unlimited access to the park and a free pass on the rides.
You might not leave the hotel, though, given the incredible features waiting to be enjoyed. Head to the rooftop, and you’ll find sun loungers, a swimming pool, and a bar overlooking the gardens. Downstairs at Nimb Bar, you can order Afternoon Tea and evening cocktails, all served beneath original chandeliers that were installed back in 1909.
You can satisfy your cake cravings at “Cakenhagen,” order Danish open-faced sandwiches at Fru Nimb, or delve into the vegetarian menu at Gemyse Restaurant. A stay at Nimb Hotel quickly turns into a culinary adventure, and you can continue the journey with a French-inspired gourmet dinner at Nimb Brasserie, where you can dine on steak tartare, moules marinière, and many more classic dishes.
7. Hotel Kong Arthur
One of the coolest hotels in Copenhagen is Hotel Kong Arthur, a quirky boutique hotel that’s packed with history and bursting with character. Hotel Kong Arthur is located next to the city’s scenic lakes, right by Nansensgade Street. So this charming hotel is perfect for anyone looking to stay outside of Copenhagen’s downtown, inner-city area.
You’ll be surrounded by excellent coffee shops and independent eateries, and you’ll love the bohemian feel of this colorful Copenhagen suburb. You’ll also appreciate the historic element because Hotel Kong Arthur is located within a classically styled building that dates back to 1882.
There’s a traditional feel to Hotel Kong Arthur, where you can enjoy Danish breakfasts and sit by a roaring fireplace in the lobby. But have no doubt that this is a modern boutique hotel that provides comfort and luxury in abundance. All of the 214 rooms have individually selected decor and furnishings, giving each room a personalized and unique touch that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Ni’Mat Spa offers you the chance to experience the relaxing delights of an Oriental Water Temple in Copenhagen. Plus, you can also learn how to sauna like a local or embrace the hammam lifestyle.
Once you’re suitably relaxed, you have a choice of three different restaurants to dine in during your stay at Hotel Kong Arthur. There’s Italian on offer at La Rocca, tapas to try at Pintxos, and sushi to die for at Sticks ‘n’ Sushi!
8. Hotel Alexandra
Take a small step back in time to 1950s Denmark when you book a stay at Hotel Alexandra, one of the most unique hotels in Copenhagen. This stylish boutique is housed within a 100-year old building in the middle of the city. You’ll love how the hotel has spent the past two decades collecting, sourcing, and collating a truly impressive collection of retro memorabilia, decor, and furnishings from around Denmark.
Guests can play old records on the vinyl player in the lobby or choose some light reading from the retro library. There’s so much retro decor that the hotel safely calls itself a “living museum”!
As much as the funky wall art, retro posters, and vintage furniture will provide a glimpse into Denmark’s quasi-fashionable past, you’ll still appreciate that the hotel’s 61 individually styled rooms all offer modern luxuries and amenities.
There are sleek wood floors or soft underfoot carpets, comfortable headboards and super soft bedding, and flat-screen televisions and coffee machines. And, of course, every room has a few antique chairs or desks to finish off the retro theme. If you particularly love the old-school Danish design, then you can even take home vintage furniture items through the hotel’s retro marketplace.
9. Hotel Skt Petri
Head to the Old Latin District of the Danish capital, and you can stay at Hotel Skt Petri, one of the best five-star hotels in Copenhagen. In a former life, Hotel Skt Petri was a department store, but like many old buildings in Copenhagen, it’s been stylishly repurposed into a boutique hotel that’s guaranteed to wow!
Hotel Skt Petri provides guests with space, luxury, and character. Rooms are colorful yet minimalist, and you’ll enjoy views over Copenhagen or over the courtyard and gardens. The tiled bathrooms have either bathtubs or showers, and you’ll love the luxurious toiletries on offer.
There’s a fitness center and massage parlor at Hotel Skt Petri, while the concierge staff will be more than happy to rent out bicycles so you can exercise and sightsee your way around the city. You’ll want to burn a few calories after gorging on the Scandinavian-style buffet breakfast, after enjoying Restaurant Dada’s Middle Eastern offerings, or after dining on the gourmet dishes at Petri Restaurant & Bar.
The culinary delights of Hotel Skt Petri are found within the expansive, open lobby of this five-star Copenhagen favorite, where you’ll be bathed in light from the tall, panoramic, floor-to-ceiling glass facade of this old department store turned hotel.
10. Scandic Kodbyen
If you love Scandinavian design, style, and culinary prowess, then you’re going to love staying at Scandic Kodbyen. This sleek, artistically minded boutique hotel is located within the Vesterbro District of Copenhagen, and you’re going to quickly appreciate how the hotel has embraced its bohemian refinery and brought out its true, Scandi-style.
This is very much a modern Scandinavian design hotel. You’ll enjoy the minimalist decor of the comfortable yet practical hotel rooms after a long day out in the city.
There are sleek wood floors, heavy blackout blinds, and ultra-comfy beds for those that just want to sleep. If you’re here on business, though, then you’ll find plenty of ergonomic workspace in the hotel lobby, as well as 11 dedicated meeting and conference rooms that are perfect for the corporate traveler.
Scandic Kodbyen prides itself on culinary excellence, and you can sample the goods with lunch or dinner at the hotel’s highly regarded Mor Restaurant and Bar. The wine list is extensive (numbering in the hundreds), while chefs cook over an open charcoal fire, serving up the finest Danish steaks, grilled to perfection.
11. Hotel Sanders
With just 54 elegant rooms on offer at Hotel Sanders, this charming place is one of the best Copenhagen hotels for anyone in search of peace, quiet, and luxury right in the heart of the city. Hotel Sanders was the design-child of Danish studio Lind + Almond, who were tasked with the challenge of creating a boutique hotel that is both seamlessly luxurious, yet quaint, easy-going, and somewhat homey.
The designers certainly exceeded their remit, and you’ll soon find that Hotel Sanders will become your Danish home away from home. Hotel Sanders is both nostalgic and modern. You’ll love the excessive velvet and rattan decor that’s found throughout, but appreciate the comfortable beds, soft kimonos, and high-end toiletries in every room.
Hotel Sanders is as much about the dining experience as it is about the hotel stay. Sanders Kitchen serves a homey Danish breakfast, a light lunch, and a hearty dinner, and you can choose from tables spaced out in the living room, roof terrace, or courtyard.
The dinner menu sources Danish produce to create masterful Mediterranean dishes. If that’s not enough, you can finish up the evening with a handcrafted cocktail at the hotel’s retro-themed TATA Bar.
12. Motel One Copenhagen
If you can’t get enough of quirky design hotels, then you’ve chosen the best city for your next vacation! Copenhagen is the perfect place for Scandi-design lovers, and one of the best design hotels in the Danish capital is Motel One Copenhagen.
Motel One Copenhagen is positioned right in the heart of downtown Copenhagen. You’re never more than a few minutes’ walk away from sightseeing attractions like the National Museum, City Hall, and Tivoli Gardens. But few guests pick this boutique hotel just for its excellent location, and we know you’re going to love this boutique retreat’s seriously retro design.
Motel One Copenhagen is just about as retro as it gets in the Danish capital. The decor, furnishings, and artwork all date back to the 1950s and 1960s, and you’ll have the feeling that you’ve booked a time capsule during your stay at this unique hotel!
Retro decor and design aside, though, you’ll find that Motel One Copenhagen embraces modernity with as much gusto as it does nostalgia. You’ll have high-tech in-room amenities, such as Chromecast televisions, while the hotel’s One Lounge provides a suitably comfortable workspace for anyone traveling on the job.
If you’re looking for a bit of space to relax rather than work, Motel One Copenhagen also has you covered with its suitably peaceful, tranquil, and calming garden.
That completes our list of the 12 best Copenhagen hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Copenhagen? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Villa Copenhagen is without a doubt one of the best hotels in Copenhagen. This upscale hotel offers luxury, heritage, and fine dining, all under one roof, while on top of the roof, you’ll find Villa Copenhagen’s fancy open-air swimming pool! Villa Copenhagen also has an on-site bakery, a cocktail bar, and a beautiful courtyard bar and bistro that sits beneath an impressive glass dome ceiling.
Copenhagen has no shortage of historic hotels, but if you’d love to stay in one of the most luxurious, heritage-listed establishments in the city, then we can’t recommend Nobis Hotel Copenhagen enough. Nobis Hotel Copenhagen is located within a building that dates back to 1903.
One of the coolest hotels in Copenhagen is Hotel Kong Arthur, a quirky boutique hotel that’s packed with history and bursting with character. Plus, they’ve got the Ni’Mat Spa, where you get the chance to experience the relaxing delights of an Oriental Water Temple in Copenhagen. Plus, you can also learn how to sauna like a local or embrace the hammam lifestyle.
Head to the Old Latin District of the Danish capital, and you can stay at Hotel Skt Petri, one of the best five-star hotels in Copenhagen. The culinary delights of Hotel Skt Petri are found within the expansive, open lobby of this five-star Copenhagen favorite, where you’ll be bathed in light from the tall, panoramic, floor-to-ceiling glass facade of this old department store turned hotel.
If you love a five-star hotel that doesn’t pretend to offer anything other than simple, understated luxury, then the NH Collection Copenhagen is for you! This is one of the best hotels in Copenhagen, and its excellent waterfront location overlooking the harbor simply can’t be beat when it comes to convenience.
