Review: Villa Copenhagen, Denmark

Located opposite the famed Tivoli Gardens, this 390-room hotel is at the heart of the action

Location: It’s hard to imagine a more convenient spot from which to explore the picturesque Danish capital. Located opposite the famed Tivoli Gardens, this 390-room hotel is at the heart of the action. The city’s Central Station is also opposite, meaning the airport is only a 15-minute train ride away.

First impressions: Guests are greeted by a soaring atrium, bathing the centerpiece Courtyard Bar and reception area in natural light. The lobby is deliberately set back to make the space more inviting to non-guests. The hotel’s decor is highly design conscious and distinctly Scandinavian; it feels that every intricate detail has been thought of, down to atmospheric corridor lighting where elegantly lit room numbers cast angular shapes on the walls and carpet. Our room, in the building’s eaves, was simple yet stylish with a perfect balance between original features and more contemporary additions.

The facts: July 2020 might seem an unfortunate time for a new property to open, yet the Covid pandemic could scarcely have been imagined when work to transform Copenhagen’s former Central Post and Telegraph Head Office into a hotel began more than three years ago. The hotel aims to offer approachable luxury while retaining a boutique feel, which is evident as all staff we encounter are incredibly helpful. Similar in size to neighbouring city blocks, the hotel celebrates the neo-baroque building’s heritage by showcasing original features including a pair of historic wooden elevators. It successfully fuses old with new throughout, such as in the Playroom, which is home to the most stylish table football table I’ve seen. Parts of the property feel like a contemporary art gallery; the hotel houses a collection worth more than $2 million. Sustainability is a key focus, with herbs and spices grown on site. The breakfast offering is wide and varied including local yoghurt, freshly-pressed juices and Danish pastries made in the in-house bakery. The Kontrast restaurant has a cosy bistro feel, while the open-plan kitchen adds an element of theatre as you can watch the chefs preparing the southern Mediterranean and North African-inspired menu.

Explore: The best way to explore is to blend in with the locals and hop on a bike. It’s easy to see why Copenhagen claims to have the most cyclists in the world per capita, due to its flat terrain and dedicated cycle lanes. The hotel rents out traditional-style bikes. The hipster Meatpacking District, teeming with independent, quirky bars and restaurants, is just a few blocks away, while in the opposite direction the picture-postcard perfect Nyhavn waterfront is half-an-hour’s stroll. The Tivoli Gardens amusement park and anarchic community of Freetown Christiania are about as different as you can get, yet both are worth a visit. No stay would be complete without seeing the iconic Little Mermaid statue, and a new entrant to the city’s sights, CopenHill – a power plant with a dry ski slope on the roof, which also offers stunning views of the city.

 

Wow: The hotel rooftop pool is truly a sight to behold, the shimmering bright blue water contrasts starkly with surrounding brick buildings. The pool is open year-round as it’s warmed by excess heat from the cooling system.

Book it: Rooms start from £160.

villacopenhagen.com 

David Golledge