I’ve been to Copenhagen many times, and I already have a few favourites when it comes to hotels. But I never turn down the chance to visit the wonderful Danish capital, particularly if it gives me the opportunity to discover yet another fantastic place to stay.
One such find was Hotel Skt. Petri, where I spent a night between planes when travelling back from Sweden in February. It sits in a converted Modernist department store in the heart of the Latin Quarter, just a five-minute walk from Nørreport metro station, and has recently reopened after a total revamp by Norwegian design studio Anemone Wille Våge.
The results of the makeover are pretty impressive. Swoop up the escalators from the main entrance and you emerge into a vast double-height lobby with a striking marble floor, giant plant installations dangling from the ceiling, and clusters of sofas and easy chairs in various shades of green, blue and grey. It’s certainly not the kind of minimalist décor that I’m normally drawn to, but I really liked it – it’s not over the top or flashy, but sophisticated and gently glamorous.
The 288 rooms are decorated in moody blacks and greys, with pops of purple and emerald green. One wall of each is covered in white geometric moulding that looks like a contemporary take on Moorish tiling, and most have long windows with great views out over the colourful Copenhagen streets. There are also sculptural brass lamps from Portuguese brand Boca Do Lobo, together with iconic designs such as Warren Platner’s ‘Platner’ side chair and table and Flos’ playful ‘Snoopy’ lamp.
I had one of the Superior Rooms, which are slightly larger than the Standards, though all have similar facilities and kingsize beds; there are also Deluxes with sitting areas, plus suites with roof terraces. I loved the little touches in my room, which included magazines and guides packed with Copenhagen tips and design inspiration, bathroom toiletries with a choice of fragrances, and something which is all too rare in hotels but which always makes me jump for joy: a plug socket and USB point by the bed. Excellent sound-proofing meant I didn’t hear a peep of noise from the street outside, and as for the mattress, it was quite possibly the comfiest I’ve ever slept on. Come morning, I found myself rooting under the sheets in a vain attempt to find out the brand so that I could buy it for my own home!
As well as a great night’s sleep, I was treated to some delicious food and drink in the lobby bar and restaurant, where I headed for wine and nibbles in the evening. I would normally expect such a large space to feel cold and unwelcoming, but here open shelving, candles and cosy seating nooks are used to create intimate zones, ensuring the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. It was also a great spot for breakfast the next morning, and I was very impressed with the selection on offer: a vast buffet of hot and cold options, covering everything from fruit and pastries to perfectly crispy bacon.
There’s also a pretty courtyard where you can dine when the weather’s warm enough (sadly it most definitely wasn’t during my stay!). And if you want a change of scene you can pop next door to sister restaurant P Eatery, which serves Nordic food with a Mediterranean twist. I didn’t have time to try it out for myself, but I’ve heard good things and plan on heading there for a meal next time I’m in town.
Finally, I have to include a note about Skt. Petri’s eco-friendly ethos. So many hotels just pay lip service to environmental measures with a cursory bathroom notice about reducing towel changes, but Skt. Petri goes one step further. Every room comes with a card that you can hang on your door if you don’t want any daily housekeeping, and each time you do the hotel donates 50DKK to good causes. What’s more, the whole place runs on offshore wind power, food waste is sent to create biogas, and no palm oil is used anywhere in the hotel or its restaurants.
So, a short but sweet stay, and a great addition to my list of go-to hotels when I visit Copenhagen. I’m sure I’ll be checking into Skt. Petri again soon.
Book a stay at Hotel Skt. Petri here.
Hotel Skt. Petri kindly provided a discounted stay for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are my own and I would never recommend places that I wouldn’t happily pay to visit again.
All photography by Abi Dare
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