Whether you want to treat yourself to a weekend of laid-back luxury, experience the best of retro Danish design, or are looking for somewhere cheap with character for a value break in the city, Copenhagen has a huge range of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Here are some of the best – with not a bland hotel room in sight.

The Krane

Staying inside a piece of machinery once used to haul coal might not sound luxurious – but this converted crane turned luxury retreat in Copenhagen’s northern harbour, Nordhavn, is one of the most coveted addresses in the city. The two-person suite is perched 50ft above the ground, with views that look stretch as far as Sweden. Guests get their own concierge, as well as complimentary use of a BMW i3 electric car and pair of bicycles, and there’s also a spa.

Find out more at thekrane.dk

Kanalhuset

Overlooking the canal on the historic, cobbled island of Christianshavn, Kanalhuset is set amid bakeries and cafes just a few minutes’ walk of the city centre, Amalienborg Castle and the shops of Strøget; and it’s a five-minute drive from the Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn. This grand 1754 residence contains 12 boutique hotel rooms, fourteen hotel apartments, a comfortable bar and a spisestuen (dining room) where you can make friends at the communal tables as you graze on excellent smørrebrød (Danish open-faced sandwiches) for lunch and the delicious set menu for dinner. Staff are friendly, welcoming and efficient.

Find out more at kanalhusetcph.com

Coco Hotel

On the northern edge of Vesterbro, a short walk from the nightlife hotspot of the Meatpacking District, you will find the 90-room Coco Hotel. The owners revamped an existing hotel using vintage, modern and custom-made materials to create a light, bright, contemporary look that feels informed and inspired by a sustainable low-impact ethos. The building is powered by its own solar park in Jutland. Café Coco serves a meat-free menu of nibbles (anchovies, olives, almonds) and light dishes (salads, sandwiches, macarons).

Find out more at coco-hotel.com

Nimb Hotel

Set in the magical grounds of the city’s famous Tivoli Gardens, this luxury hotel is housed in a Moorish-style palace. While the outside looks like a fairytale Arabian castle, with marble stucco and hundreds of lightbulbs illuminating it at night, the hotel interiors are typically Danish and incredibly cosy. Each room has a four-poster bed, original artwork and Bang & Olufsen technology. An exclusive butler service will make you feel like a king or queen of your very own castle.

Find out more at

Zoku Hotel

Zoku Copenhagen adapts the original Zoku in Amsterdam. It provides hybrid home-office lofts and compact rooms to create a stylish residential work-life experience located in Amager Vest, an up-and-coming district on the island to the south of the city centre. Check-in takes place amid the foliage of the rooftop greenhouse. Kindred Spirits, the bar and café, is open all day; the Living Room is a versatile lounge space with fireplaces, couches and communal tables. Standard lofts include kitchen, dining table and living room.

Find out more at livezoku.com

AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen

The AC Hotel Bella Sky Copenhagen has a striking exterior. Two towers are connected by an internal bridge, and the rooms’ floor-to-ceiling windows look over the Amager Common nature park. The chic design hotel’s theme is “new Nordic cool”, which has the capacity and facilities of a big hotel – business centre, meeting rooms, pool and gym – but the intimate feel and warmth of a boutique inn. All-natural, textured and tactile materials help boost that hygge feeling.

Find out more at acbellaskycopenhagen.dk

Kong Arthur Hotel

Hidden in a cul-de-sac skirting the western fringe of the city, Kong Arthur is a quiet but convenient spot in Nansensgade, whose boho shops and cafés are nearby. Trendy Nørrebro is just across the lake, while the green environs of Ørstedsparken and the Botanical Gardens (and the transport hub of Nørreport) lie a 10-minute walk away. The hotel comprises four buildings and a central courtyard. The cosy lobby/lounge has a fireplace, piano and light Arthurian theming. The 155 bedrooms range from raftered attics to large suites, and there is a floor of spa rooms. 

Find out more at arthurhotels.com

Radisson Collection Hotel Royal Copenhagen

Built in 1960, this modernist landmark is known as the world’s first design hotel – and Copenhagen’s first skyscraper. Designed by famed architect Arne Jacobsen, it has recently undergone a renovation that pays tribute to his legacy and is still a must-visit for any fans of Danish modernist design.

Find out more at radissoncollection.com

Central Hotel

You want cosy? It doesn’t get much more snug than this – believed to be the world’s smallest hotel. It’s sole room is perched on top of a cute coffee shop in the Vesterbro district. Guests get breakfast at Cafe Granola down the road, as well as the use of two bicycles to explore the city. Be sure to book well in advance if you want to experience this very unique place.

Find out more at centralhotelogcafe.dk

Kaj Hotel

A floating vessel of Danish hygge fashioned from recycled materials, Kaj is moored in the peaceful inner harbour of Copenhagen, overlooking the Toldboden, the historic custom house. A tiny hotel of just 16 sq m, it offers everything that a family could possibly need: king-size bed, a mezzanine with two singles, a kitchenette and bathroom – and direct access to the sea. There is even room for a cot.

Find out more at kajhotel.dk

Guldsmeden Islands Brygge

A short walk from the Islands Brygge harbourfront, where locals swim and generally enjoy life, Hotel Guldsmeden is the pre-eminent luxury urban eco hotel in Copenhagen. It has a sauna and steam room, and a Bali-style pool that is only open to guests. In the 211 rooms, no opportunity to push the sustainable agenda has been overlooked: note the recycled textiles, eco materials, water-saving systems for the showers, and mattresses, duvets and pillows that are made from Fairtrade materials. In the Restaurant Sole Factory, everything is organic; don’t miss the signature breakfast of breads and croissants, various permutation of egg, crispy bacon, Danish hams, cheeses, cakes and homemade yoghurts topped with homemade brown-bread cereal, acacia honey and almonds.

Find out more at guldsmedenhotels.com

The land of everyday wonder

Danes consistently rank among the world's happiest people, and it’s not hard to see why. From the cosiness concept of hygge to a true appreciation of nature, they’ve perfected the art of putting heart and soul into everyday life. Experience it for yourself on a trip to its buzzing capital of Copenhagen and you’re bound to bring that sense of wonder back home with you. 

Find out more about the spectacular city of Copenhagen at visitcopenhagen.com.