Avenue Hotel

In Copenhagen, not many hotels can match the Avenue’s historical pedigree. Built in 1898 by Emil Blichfeldt, the architect responsible for the famous entrance to Tivoli Gardens, it could by all rights be a much snootier place than it is. But despite its traditional Danish façade — with its red brick walls and its spire-topped turrets, it looks like the sort of building where an urbane Santa Claus might have had a summer pied-à-terre once upon a time — the interiors are comfortably modern and the service unpretentiously down-to-earth.

Instead of trying to cram every conceivable amenity into so small a hotel, the Avenue has focussed on a few key elements and done them extremely well. There’s no restaurant, for example, but the bar is warm and inviting, with bartender-led cocktail tastings and local treats (cakes, tortes, etc.) to snack on. The lighting is deft in typical Scandinavian fashion, making the most of a crackling fireplace with hanging glass lamps that reflect the glow of the fire. In summer, the leafy wooden deck is every bit as enticing as the bar, a good place to while away an afternoon before heading out to dinner. It’s clear, as soon as you settle in with a drink, that as much thought went into the comfort of the spaces as, say, the stylish staff uniforms, by Danish designers DAY Birger et Mikkelsen.

The hotel’s biggest splurges, however, are reserved for the rooms. Many of the furnishings are by regional designers, which works especially well when the region is at the forefront of international design. Even the electronics come from a top Scandinavian brand, Lava, whose smart TVs combine Android technology with super-sharp screens. It all creates a strong temptation to call it an early night in; fortunately the central location will tempt most of us out into the Copenhagen nightlife.