Few cities are as effortlessly liveable as Copenhagen. It’s a place built for wandering, where mornings begin with exceptional coffee and flaky cardamom buns, afternoons disappear into beautifully curated boutiques, and evenings stretch over natural wine and impossibly fresh seafood. There are plenty of luxury hotels in Copenhagen, but few capture the spirit of the city quite as completely as 1 Hotel Copenhagen.
Opened in September of last year, the first 1 Hotel in continental Europe transforms the former Skt. Petri hotel into a nature-inspired urban retreat that feels distinctly at home in the cities design conscious landscape. The brand’s signature biophilic aesthetic is everywhere, from reclaimed wood and locally sourced stone to soft clay finishes, Scandinavian craftsmanship, and an abundance of living greenery that brings warmth to every corner. Rather than feeling overly polished, the space feels calming and lived-in, exactly the kind of understated luxury the Danes do so well.
Location is one of the hotel’s greatest strengths. Nestled in the historic Latin Quarter, with nearly everything within walking distance (except of course The Louisiana Musuem, which is a must,) and for spots that feel just slightly out of reach by foot, bikes are available for hotel guests. Some of the city’s best bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, independent boutiques, and major shopping streets are only minutes away, yet somehow the pace still feels calm. For first-time visitors and seasoned Copenhagen travellers alike, it’s an ideal address.
We stayed in one of the hotel’s spacious suites, and it quickly became one of our favourite hotel rooms in recent memory. Beautifully designed with warm natural materials and thoughtful Scandinavian detailing that stike a rare balance between luxury and livability. With more than enough room to spread out, with a separate lounge area, a convenient powder room, generous storage throughout, and a spa-like bathroom complete with heated flooring and an oversized rain shower. There was even a complimentary RAINS slicker, a welcome addition to any travel wardrobe especially in Copenhagen where it rains spontaneously quite often.
One of our favourite details, however, was one of the simplest: a filtered water station built directly into the bathroom. Considering Copenhagen has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world, it felt like a meaningful luxury that perfectly reflected both the city and the hotel’s sustainability-focused philosophy. Thoughtful touches from plush robes to in-room greenery and sustainably sourced materials reinforced the feeling that every detail had been carefully considered in the suite.
Although the spa had yet to open during our stay, the rest of the public spaces more than impressed. The expansive lobby flows seamlessly into PÆRE, the restaurant and bar, creating an invitation to linger, whether it’s for morning coffee, meeting friends for cocktails, or simply reading for an hour beneath the towering greenery.
Breakfast deserves special recognition as it was genuinely one of the best hotel breakfasts we’ve experienced anywhere in Copenhagen. Beyond the expected assortment of beautifully pastries, an impressive selection of hot dishes, on demand omelettes and waffles, fresh fruit, smoothies, multiple varieties of yogurt, there was also an abundance of vegetables, a rarity at many European hotels who too often mistake charcuterie boards for breakfast spreads. Everything felt fresh, beautifully presented, and thoughtfully sourced, a welcome touch we have come to look forward to when staying at a 1 Hotel.
Dining at the hotel extends well beyond breakfast. PÆRE has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most exciting gathering places, unfolding across several distinct spaces within the hotel that seamlessly move from morning coffee to late-night cocktails.
The Dining Room centres on a coastal Italian menu designed for sharing, with handmade pastas, antipasti, and generous dishes from the grill served in a warm, softly lit space anchored by a dramatic fireplace. During the warmer months, The Terrace is go-to spot with fire pits, communal tables, and relaxed al fresco dining experience.
The Bar’s cocktail program has already earned a nomination for Best New Bar in Denmark at this years Bartenders’ Choice Awards, becoming a destination in its own right, with coffee and pastries on offer by day and a buzzy cocktail lounge in the evening, with creative drinks built around locally foraged botanicals and ingredients harvested from the hotel’s herb garden.
What draws us 1 Hotel Copenhagen isn’t simply the beautiful design or its sustainability credentials, although both are excellent, it’s how the hotel naturally fits into the city itself. It embraces thoughtful design, environmental responsibility, exceptional food, and slower living without ever feeling performative. 1 Hotel Copenhagen delivers exactly what every great city hotel should: a place that feels just as memorable as the destination itself.