Copenhagen: the city of Scandi cool, cycling, Michelin stars, pastries – and great hotels. The latter hasn’t always been true, though, with the Danish capital falling behind other European cities such as Paris and London when it came to sheer density (and quality) of places to stay.
But, in the past five (or so) years, Copenhagen’s hotel scene has changed. A swathe of newcomers have elevated standards, and all the while, the historic credentials (along with a few smart refurbishments) of existing mainstays have kept them up to modern expectations. It has become a city of two halves: one that caters to its crowd of trend-setting youngsters, and the other to traditionalists who value old-school service.
From grande dames to buzzy international names, these are the best hotels in Copenhagen to check in to this year.
The best hotels in Copenhagen
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Hotel D'Angleterre
Hotel D’Angleterre is as ingrained into Copenhagen history as its famous Little Mermaid statue. Occupying its prime site on Kongens Nytorv, the city’s main plaza, since 1795 (although the business actually dates way back to 1755 but relocated due to fire) D’Angleterre is widely considered one of, if not the, most prestigious hotels in Denmark.
Despite its reputation, the hotel is relatively small, with just 92 rooms, 55 of which are suites. The top one is the Royal Suite which, as standard, is one-bedroom, covers 1,615 sq ft, and has its own terrace, but can be extended to take up the entire first floor.
The flagship restaurant is Marchal, which is run by chef Alexander Baert and has been awarded a Michelin star for its French-meets-Nordic menu, which heavily emphasises lavish tableside flourishes. During the summer, its terrace is a shady refuse; come winter, it's warmed by heaters and serves a devilishly thick chocolat chaud. Elsewhere, there’s a massive ballroom, which was prepping for a wedding when I poked my nose in; a champagne bar; a gallery dining room where brunches and afternoon tea sell out months ahead; and a small but swimmable pool.
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1 Hotel
Leading Copenhagen’s charge of international incomers is 1 Hotel, which stakes a claim as the city’s newest luxury hotel, having opened in fall 2025. The building was once a grand department store (supposedly home to Denmark’s first escalator) and sits right amid vintage shops and bakeries, just moments from the bustle of Norreport station (although, as with most places in Copenhagen, you’re not too far from some greenery either).
Rooms follow the brand’s signature ‘earthy’ style, with exposed wood, plenty of plants, and a soft neutral color scheme. Lower level rooms are comfortable but not enormous. Thankfully, they opted to omit the typical Scandi two-duvet set-up. The top key is the Flora Terrace House, which spreads across 990 sq ft and comes with a private terrace, sauna, and impressive skyline views.
Breakfast is buffet-style with no à la carte option. Although the selection is good, the traditional cardamom buns and top-notch coffee of nearby cafes are likely more worth your time. The hotel’s real star, however, is its bar – Pære. Seemingly buzzing every night of the week, it serves up original concoctions as well as classics, with a team that clearly enjoys experimenting (I was offered a try of an off-menu blue cheese and pear martini that was far tastier than it sounded).
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Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen turned heads when it opened, marking a serious step up in the city’s luxury hotel scene. Three years in the making, it occupies the site of the old bank, and efforts have been made to preserve its historical identity (although, it can feel a little corporate, which is to be expected with its extensive event space). The central courtyard, with its vast skylight ceiling, has emerged as a bit of a hub, but where you really want to be is up in the rooftop pool: it’s heated year-round and has an accompanying wooden sauna.
Much effort has gone into distinguishing the signature suites from one another, resulting in an eclectic set of accommodations (that word is flung around loosely in the hotel business, but it is truthful here). The Earth Suite is all copper tones and lush greenery, while the Shambala Suites are moody and gray, with design nods to the Danish jewelry brand – namely a custom chandelier that references the signature beaded bracelet. Or, there’s the Universal Penthouse, which feels like a cool NY loft.
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Hotel Sanders
A short walk from the harbor on a grand but quiet street behind the Royal Theatre, Hotel Sanders opened in 2017 as an assured but boutique addition to Copenhagen. It’s small at just 55 rooms – but has a roomy Sanders Suite. The mid-century modern style is cool without being exclusionary; velvet lines the bed’s headboard and Liberty papers cover select walls, but a muted sage green palette creates overall calm.
The hotel prides itself on offering its guests a set of exclusive experiences, designed to get under the skin of Copenhagen. There’s a tour aboard a vintage Dutch boat, walking tours, backstage theater visits, and guided gallery hops.
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Manon Le Suites
This all-suite hotel is, inexplicably, a slice of the tropics in the middle of urban Copenhagen. Manon Le Suites’ selling point (and easily its most photographed area) is the Junglefish Pool – an adults-only Bali-inspired indoor pool, surrounded by blossoms and bamboo.
The Asian leaning theme weaves throughout the hotel, with each of the 87 suites featuring Balinese-style art and fabrics, and kimono-style dressing gowns. There’s a rooftop bar for light bites, cocktails, and city views, too.
How we chose the best hotels in Copenhagen
Each item featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand reviews where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality and exceptional craftsmanship.
