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Few locations boast a palatial villa in its city centre. Less when you factor in residences that warmly open their doors and allow you to lodge in the town’s beating heart. Surprisingly, Copenhagen is one such place.
A little further north from the bustling metropolis of continental Europe, the coastal city is a cultural mecca in its own right—an energetic borough filled with eccentric fashion, colourful waterfront façades, 17th Century landmarks and a palpable vibrance that permeates every corner of the cosy city.
It’s here, in the unsuspecting Danish capital, that a new architectural marvel awaits your uncovering: a boutique villa that serves as a hotel and creative hub for conscious luxury travellers. Villa Copenhagen, located in the central region of the city, is more than a shelter. It’s a sanctuary for discerning dreamers.
Across from the famed Tivoli Gardens, a 19th-century amusement park, and a stone’s throw from the eclectic Vesterbro/Meatpacking District, Villa Copenhagen is a fresh addition to the city’s signature landscape. A new kind of abode that serves as both a hotel and a home away from home for those seeking a dynamic reprieve from the city streets.
As a masterclass of contrast, Villa Copenhagen provides a taste of the old guard and the new energy the city has become revered for. The hotel is an epicentre of connection. It’s fitting as the four-story Villa is the product of extensive restorations of the former national central post office—a grand Neo-Baroque building framed with copper bricks, a patina spire and elaborate stone mouldings.
An Escape In The Heart Of Town
Within seconds of your arrival at Villa Copenhagen, you’ll wonder at its significance to the cultural landscape of the city, with the historic site once again restored to its former glory. Less than a ten-minute walk from Copenhagen’s major attractions—including the Nyhavn Canal distinct and Ganni’s flagship store—the Villa is a luxurious escape within the heart of town.
Upon your arrival through a set of stone arches, you’re transported into a tranquil lobby enclosed by a tessellating glass atrium. The former courtyard of the post office pays homage to the building’s past but modernises it with warm, Scandi touches like plush velvet seating and a wooden bar lining a lateral wall of the entrance. From the balcony of the former executive office—which has been masterfully converted into an ornate, multi-bedroom residential suite—a DJ plays mellow tunes and slow burns to take you from your mid-day coffees through to your lobby martinis.
Once checked in by the lovely and accommodating hotel staff—the Danish being some of the friendliest people in the world is by no means a stereotype—you’re greeted by rambling corridors that flank the quadrangle centre lobby. Featuring wood decals and an extensive art collection, every element of the hotel ensures you won’t want to leave. The rooms, all 390 of them, border the exterior of the Villa, but like with most hotels, the most fun is found on the ground floor and rooftop.
The bottom level, including the cushiony inside courtyard, serves as a playground of culinary delights, with Villa Copenhagen filled with three distinct dining precincts. The most authentic is its in-house bakery, Rug, with fresh-baked-daily traditional cinnamon snegls (a Danish scroll) coaxing you down from your rooms for a morning treat. Over coffee and pastries, Rug is both a haven for customary delights and communal catch-ups. It’s the type of place locals would go out of their way to stop into—though, due to the size of the city, it isn’t an arduous detour.
Elsewhere, Brasserie Kontrast offers experimental fusions of Danish classics fit for gourmands. The menu is sourced sustainability from local farmers and produce mongers, with the ingredients infused with culinary artistry, such as the orange wine and tartare of Danish beef, bone marrow mayo, and crispy Jerusalem artichoke pairing I had my first night at the hotel.
However, for guaranteed good times and late nights, hit up Villa Copenhagen’s iconic wine and cocktail bar, T37. As one of the staff members kindly educated me, T37 was previously a sort of cafeteria for postmen who gathered at the office building. Now, it’s transformed into a meeting place, melting pot and sharing bar.
Similar to how Villa Copenhagen blends traditional Danish elements with contemporary finishes, the hotel also incorporates moments of peace and relaxation into its design. That’s where the rooftop comes in.
Pass the gym with state-of-the-art amenities, you’re welcomed by a 25-meter heated pool. In the summer, long Danish afternoons are spent drinking cocktails and eating pizza under the signature yellow and white striped umbrellas. During the evenings, the pool is packed with innovators who mingle as the screams of adrenaline echo from Tivoli’s amusement park. In the summertime, the park’s nighttime concert series can even be heard while you sip on elixirs in the warm water.
By early morning, it’s a refreshing getaway perfect for a quick plunge or more considered exercise. Past the pool lies my favourite part of the hotel: a private traditional sauna. Though infrared saunas are all the rage in Australia, Danish saunas and winter cool-water bathing form a crucial part of the Copenhagen lifestyle. Each day before my scheduled itinerary began, I would unwind by basking in the detoxifying heat before cooling off with a few laps and a plunge in the pool. Pure bliss.
A Home For The Conscious Luxuriate
A house of sustainable luxury, every touchpoint of Villa Copenhagen is designed for the modern, conscious traveller. Meaning that every degree of care is taken to ensure the environmental pedigree of the residence. The sustainable elements of the property are integrated with a concern for a cultivated palette, with each of the rooms—including the suites—the acme of Scandi style for the mindful voyager. This ranges from the locally picked ingredients and menus curated to reduce food waste to the on-ground bee community that produces its own honey and helps regenerate the gardens (both visible and hidden) of the Villa. However, the best display of conscious luxury is within the confines of the plush rooms.
The rationale that all hotel rooms should look the same is not a doctrine Villa Copenhagen adheres to. Each room is infused with local artworks, Danish eclecticism and the most serene amenities. A home away from home, all hotel rooms are designed to fully immerse you in the Scandi lifestyle, with exposed wooden beams showcasing the city’s past and modern furnishings synonymous with its innovation. As I was in town for the bi-annual Copenhagen Fashion Week, the rooms were incredibly spacious, with vast marble countertops in both the sleeping area, sitting room and bathroom capacious enough to hold all my essentials. (Namely, my Chanel makeup and Prada pieces). After the shows, the stand-alone bathtub added a peaceful element to the busy day.
(Editor’s note: For the uninitiated, Scandinavia follows a distinct sleeping technique, unlike any bedding configuration I’ve experienced. The method involves utilising two duvet covers instead of one. Though this is typically beneficial for co-sleepers, I found the duplicate bedding provided a more controlled sleeping environment and felt more cosy thanks to the added layers. Serenity ensured.)
As I discerned from my brief stint in Copenhagen, the Danish capital is a cultural hub that offers a touch of everything a wandering lifestyle aficionado desires from their travels. But at Villa Copenhagen, exploring the city extends far beyond the front doors. With a wine list carefully selected from all corners of the country to sumptuous furnishings featuring local craftsmanship all housed in a heritage building, the Villa experience is the perfect backdrop for first-time travellers, returning visitors and even locals looking to relax. It’s where celebrities like Ashley Park stay when they’re in town and where the city’s landmarks are only a bike ride away.
Villa Copenhagen encapsulates the city’s essence and is only a booking away.
To book your stay at Villa Copenhagen, click here.
