You

You
can’t go too far wrong staying in a hotel that overlooks a
theme park and a museum; the adult playground of Tivoli Gardens and
the art mecca of Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek can be seen from most rooms
in Copenhagen‘s
Nobis Hotel.

It’s the first (and only) member of the Design Hotels collection in Denmark, with a lobby
reflecting this accolade; think hanging lamps, perfectly positioned
foliage and plenty of polished concrete. Speaking of concrete, the
reception desk is an austere polished block of the stuff, paying
homage to the fact that this former music academy was one of the
capital’s first concrete-built structures.

With a
Wes Anderson-esque facade, eclectic mid-century furniture and a
marble staircase dating from the 1900s, this mishmash hotel
probably shouldn’t work as well as it does. Swedish architect Gert
Wingårdh, who oversaw the refurbishment in 2017, is a
self-professed maximalist and his signature style (a paradox of
playful and strict) is stamped all over. It’s the kind of place
that makes you feel a little cooler just for having crossed its
understated threshold.

Rooms

There are 75 rooms (including the almost 1,000 square foot Nobis
suite) painted in varying hues of green and blue. Superior rooms
are not huge but tall windows, high ceilings and a refreshing
colour palette make them feel spacious. The steel four-poster beds
– flanked by characteristically simple Danish lamps in metal –
contrast with the soft leather 50s-style chairs and desks.
Bathrooms, while compact, are well stocked with Byredo products and
decked out in floor-to-ceiling grey marble.

What’s for breakfast?

Breakfast is served in Restaurant Niels on the lower-ground
floor, where a buffet is just as beautifully curated as the
fir-wood floor. Think artfully arranged grilled blood oranges,
spiced avocado quarters and, of course, Danish pastries.

How about lunch and dinner?

Chef de Cuisines Casper Sundin chooses seasonal, local
ingredients for a pared-back menu; dishes such as sweetbreads and
pork are presented with a hint of tradition. There’s also a limited
room service menu if you’re having that kind of weekend.

Is there a bar?

Yes. Take the majestic marble stairs down to the ground floor to
admire elaborate light installation from below before grabbing a
stool at Bar Niels. It’s essentially a nook in the corner of the
eponymous restaurant but it has pleasantly low lighting, friendly
staff and deliciously punchy negronis.

Things you should know

It’s only a few blocks from Copenhagen Central Station (a
10-minute walk at most) which in itself is a short journey to the
airport. No need to rush your perfectly soft-boiled eggs on
check-out day, then.

Within a short walk you’ll find…

Whatever you wish – Rosa, who mans the front desk, effusively
suggests local stroll routes and restaurant recommendations, right
down to expert menu advice.