Housed in the former Danish Post and Telegraph building, which dates to 1912 and opened as a luxury hotel in 2020, Villa Copenhagen is one of the Danish capital’s top accommodations and an architectural gem to boot.
Thanks to its location just steps from Tivoli Gardens amusement park and the city’s central train station, Villa Copenhagen provides the perfect home base for first-time and repeat visitors to the city. Its 390 rooms and suites convey a decidedly Danish sense of low-key luxury, while its array of bars and restaurants will keep guests well-fed in a city known for its food scene. An added bonus? The hotel features one of the only outdoor hotel pools in Copenhagen (and yes, it’s heated).
Here’s what you can expect during a stay at Villa Copenhagen and what you need to know to make the most of the experience.
Snapshot of Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is a relatively large hotel with plenty of inviting public spaces that are chockablock with distinctive pieces of art. The giant, light-filled atrium provides a fabulous meeting space with a vibrant bar scene that draws many locals and spotless service. While the hotel’s red-brick and copper-crowned exterior is an imposing historical landmark, the interior is totally refreshed with a distinctive Scandinavian-chic sensibility.
Rooms designed with neutral colors, herringbone wooden floors and high ceilings create a sense of serenity in the heart of the city. They are stylish and filled with thoughtful details, including Nordic art. However, space is at a premium, and the small windows in some might not let in enough of that famous northern light for some guests.
By far, the best thing about the hotel is its location within walking distance of some of the city’s most popular sights and its easy access to a slew of public transportation options.
Kodbyen, the former meatpacking district, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel and boasts some of Copenhagen’s best bars and restaurants. The Glyptoteket Art Museum is around the corner, along with always entertaining Tivoli Gardens; Copenhagen’s main shopping street, Stroget, is a short stroll away as well.
A 15-minute walk takes you to the iconic Nyhavn, the city’s colorful 17th-century port.
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In short, Villa Copenhagen is one of the most exciting hotels to come to Denmark in a while, and since it opened at the height of the pandemic, it remains to be discovered by the vast majority of travelers.
Why you’ll love the Villa Copenhagen
There’s a lot to love about Villa Copenhagen, including a heated rooftop swimming pool, delicious restaurants, contemporary rooms and exciting public spaces.
The unique outdoor rooftop swimming pool
The hotel’s heated swimming pool is the perfect respite after a long flight, whether you want some exercise or just some fresh air. I spent some time hanging out at the pool and the sauna on both my days in Copenhagen. The hotel says you need reservations to use the pool, but both times I went, I found I was able to enjoy the facilities without any advance notice.
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The 82-foot-long lap pool is heated to 82-84 degrees Fahrenheit and sits on a platform on the floor above the lobby level of the hotel. You get to it by walking down a long hallway on the hotel’s first floor, where you will check in with an attendant before crossing a small lobby to get outside.
It’s free for hotel guests for 45 minutes a day. More than that, and you’ll have to pay about $11. The pool is sustainably warmed with recycled heated air from the hotel. There’s also a co-ed sauna and some lockers next-door to the pool. There are also unisex showers, so you’ll want to wear a swimsuit. It was a nice amenity, but because it seems to see frequent use, it might not always be in flawless condition.
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Finally, the hotel has a nice gym with a variety of weights and cardio equipment from Technogym. It was certainly good enough for a quality workout, though I took a pass.
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You can find decent deals on bookings
I booked the Villa Copenhagen through American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts on AmexTravel.com. I paid $311 per night, but I could have booked the same room for about 31,000 Membership Rewards points directly through American Express; this would have been a value of around 1 cent per point, which is half TPG’s valuation of Amex points.
The total, including taxes and fees, came to $778.53, but since I used The Platinum Card® from American Express and booked via Fine Hotels + Resorts, I earned 5 points per dollar on the stay.
At check-in, the desk agent ran me through the benefits of my Fine Hotels + Resorts booking, including guaranteed late checkout until 4 p.m. and up to $100 in on-property credits for food and beverages at the hotel’s restaurant. I also received free breakfast and late checkout, though I didn’t end up needing it. Booking via American Express Travel also gets you early check-in when available.
I was also notified I’d been upgraded to a superior room, which the hotel told me was slightly larger than the standard room I’d originally booked. These generally cost $39 to $44 more per night.
Villa Copenhagen is part of Preferred Hotels, so if you book through there, you can get a room upgrade, free Wi-Fi, priority check-in and more, depending on the property and availability. You’ll also earn I Prefer Hotel Rewards points toward free nights.
Rooms have stylish decor and bathrooms
Villa Copenhagen has nearly 400 rooms and suites. Several corner rooms are extra large, though they are not traditional suites with separate bedrooms. There are six true suites with separate bedrooms, according to the hotel. My superior room was comfortable, though on the small side since rooms in this category start at 220 square feet or so.
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While the space was compact, it had a lot of style. Warm earth tones and comfortable fabrics made the room feel like a welcome little nest. The accent and table lamps were gold-hued and brushed metal, lending the room a contemporary feel, as did the minimalist artworks strategically placed around the room.
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It didn’t feel cluttered despite being filled with practical items like a bulletin board with all the need-to-know information about the hotel.
The bathroom was sleek, with dramatic marble tiling and amenities from the Danish fragrance brand Skandinavisk in large-format bottles that reduce single-use plastics at the property.
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A cool lobby space, live DJs and a hopping bar
When I arrived around 8 p.m., a live DJ was spinning in the grand open lobby of the hotel, which was busy with guests and locals enjoying the atmosphere. An enormous glass ceiling encloses the building’s former courtyard, creating an atrium where guests can mingle.
There’s a menu if you want to hang out in the impressive lobby, called the Courtyard. You can lounge at the bar or at one of the many seating areas. That’s where I had a late dinner my first night. I ate a delicious beef hamburger ($23) and a white chocolate mousse with raspberries and wood sorrel ($13). The Villa Smorrebred — a crostini with tartare of Danish beef, organic egg yolk and mustard caviar ($32) — looked delicious, but I didn’t try it. There was also an intriguing-sounding Danish veal ribeye with summer truffles ($49).
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Kontrast cuisine is refined but approachable
The main restaurant at Villa Copenhagen is called Kontrast, and the hotel describes it as a cosmopolitan brasserie. The eatery is massive, taking up one entire side of the hotel on the ground floor with its own corner entrance, though you can also enter from the courtyard and lobby area.
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I had a delicious potato waffle served with ham and truffle cream priced at $21 as an appetizer along with fresh bread and butter.
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There is an on-site bakery called Rug Bakery at Villa Copenhagen, taking up part of the main restaurant. No wonder the bread was so delicious.
For the main course, I had risotto flavored with tomatoes, Arla Unika cheese and pepper spice ($26.50). Though colorful, it was bland. I wish I’d chosen the grilled Danish veal rib eye with rosemary and roasted beans, which sounded tantalizing but pricey at $42. The vol-au-vent ($25) also sounded delicious since it’s basically a chicken pot pie filled with mushrooms, kale and onions.
There was also a crisp green salad with hazelnuts and apples ($14) for something fresh.
Finally, the best part of the meal was the chocolate lava cake with caramel, cookie dough and hazelnut ice cream ($15). It was equal parts gooey deliciousness and creamy sweetness.
Locals and visitors gather at the bar
Finally, the T37 bar comes alive at night, attracting a lively crowd of locals. It occupies a corner of the hotel with entrances on the street and from inside the lobby. The hotel describes it as a Nordic tapas and wine joint that started as a gathering spot for postmen back when the building was the central post office.
After 4 p.m., it comes alive with people grabbing cocktails or sharing small plates. You’ll find items like Marcona almonds and Nocellara olives for $6.50, Danish cheese and chutney jam for $18 or a Danish charcuterie board for about $21.
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The breakfast is extensive and delicious
Breakfast is served in an enormous basement room that takes up much of the hotel’s lower level. Despite the location, it actually looks out on a light-filled terrace area (with more seating), so it doesn’t feel gloomy.
This is one of the largest hotel breakfast spaces I’ve ever seen, with seemingly endless choices. Options range from various hot and cold self-serve buffets to a pastry bar to an open kitchen space where they make eggs to order.
It’s definitely worth the $37-per-person price tag. Fortunately, it was included in my rate since I booked through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. I recommend tasting a few of the incredible pastries baked on-site at Rug, such as the delicious cinnamon bun and the spandauer cream-filled pastry (a Danish specialty).
Why you might not love Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is a great hotel, but no hotel is perfect.
Small rooms with tiny closets and no desks
Rooms at the Villa Copenhagen can feel downright minuscule. Also, because the hotel was carved out of a former post office more than a century old, there aren’t a lot of large windows. It can feel a bit bunker-like and claustrophobic inside.
My room didn’t have a desk area to work at, so I ended up sitting on the bench by the window and using the bed as a desk. Not ideal for business travelers, though there were plenty of plugs to keep my devices charged.
The lack of closet and shelf space was disappointing as well. One shallow closet and a few shelves won’t cut it if you are staying more than a few nights, and there was not enough room to unpack even the contents of just my carry-on bag.
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Scandinavian countries aren’t known for large hotel rooms, so it’s not that out of character. Still, I would like a little more space when I’m on vacation.
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There is no spa at Villa Copenhagen
While the swimming pool and sauna are lovely, it’s a pity there’s no real spa at the hotel. What’s more, it’s a surprising miss for a lodging of this scale and level of luxury. The front desk suggested a trip to the well-reviewed Aire Ancient Baths Copenhagen and its spa, but I suspect guests would like to have an option to be pampered on property.
Alternatives to Villa Copenhagen hotel
If Villa Copenhagen doesn’t sound like quite the right fit, there are many other options in the so-called City of Spires.
World of Hyatt members can book the truly sumptuous Nimb Hotel (one of the city’s only other hotels with a rooftop pool) in Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens via Hyatt’s Small Luxury Hotels of the World partnership. While nightly rates tend to range around the $1,000 mark, you can redeem 40,000 World of Hyatt points per night if you can find award availability.
Not far from Villa Copenhagen, you’ll find the modernist gem, the Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen. This imposing skyscraper hotel goes for as little as $160 a night, but rates can range much higher. You can also book via Radisson Rewards.
Related: Review of the Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Copenhagen
Marriott Bonvoy has several hotels in or near central Copenhagen, including Moxy Copenhagen Sydhavnen; Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, a Member of Design Hotels; the imposing Socialist, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel; and the Marriott Copenhagen. Rates start at just $97 for the Moxy, $231 at the Nobis, $260 at the Socialist and $185 at the Marriott.
You can also redeem IHG One Rewards points to stay at the Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers for 26,000 IHG One Rewards points per night or paid rates starting at $186.
Accessibility at Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is a fairly new hotel, so it was designed with accessibility in mind. However, it’s not perfect on that front. Remember that the hotel is in a building that’s more than 100 years old, and bringing a space like that up to current accessibility standards is a challenge.
Nine rooms are fully wheelchair accessible and include wide doorways, roll-in showers and grab bars for the toilets.
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The accessible rooms are also just in two categories: superior and deluxe. The hotel was nice enough to show me one of the deluxe accessible rooms, which you can see below. While the space seemed maneuverable for wheelchair users, getting in and out of the bed might be difficult for some.
The public spaces are where the hotel shines when it comes to accessibility. The entryways don’t have stairs. Instead, guests enter via a slightly sloped hallway that would allow for wheelchair access. The one problem area would be a small cobblestone sidewalk in front of the hotel, but employees told me they have a portable ramp for that entrance should guests request it.
The main courtyard lobby has a wide ramp that would allow wheelchair access to the raised check-in area.
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There is an elevator for the gym area that would allow for a wheelchair to enter the gym. Unfortunately, the entry to the outdoor swimming pool doesn’t allow for wheelchair access, and I didn’t see any chair lifts for the swimming pool. Getting around the various steps and narrow hallways for the sauna and the pool would be tough as well.
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The guest room hallways and elevators are wide, so wheelchair users should have no issues navigating them. The elevator buttons were also at wheelchair height. However, I did not notice braille signage, so guests with impaired vision might need assistance getting around the hotel.
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Checking out of Villa Copenhagen
Villa Copenhagen is a great choice for a visit to Denmark’s capital city, whether you want to be out and about in the city or simply lounge around the hotel. The incredible location close to museums, Tivoli Gardens and the meatpacking district means you are never too far from something to do. It’s also convenient for quick trips since you can catch the airport train to the city’s central station and be at the hotel’s doorstep within a five-minute stroll.
The fun, stylish lobby attracts an energetic crowd of locals in addition to visitors from all over the world. The food and beverage offerings are top-notch as well, showcasing both Danish and international cuisine.
While the rooms are small and lack storage, they are still chic and comfortable. Plus, the novelty of a rooftop pool in Copenhagen put it over the top, so to speak. I would not only stay there again, but I would recommend it to anyone planning to visit the city soon.
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