Absalon Hotel

The design that we foreigners associate with Denmark is characterized by clean, sleek lines, industrial spaces, minimalist decor. Absalon Hotel, a grand family-run hotel located in the heart of Vesterbro — on the edge of the city’s famed Meatpacking District — breaks from that modernist norm. The hotel is located inside a classic corner building, and guest rooms are colorful and warm, with white oak floors and boldly striped curtains, vibrant patterned wallpaper and potted plants.

The Absalon Hotel has been in the family for generations, but a 21st-century renovation is responsible for its crisp new look. All rooms and suites are freshly painted in white, and organized by color scheme. On the uppermost floor are the “Grass” superior rooms, with cozy wool carpets and design accents in black and fuchsia. Standard rooms, done up in either “Ocean” or “Berry,” feature more metallic fabrics and details. All come with 40-inch LED TVs, sophisticated motion-activated lighting systems, all-natural bath products by Karmameju, and free wi-fi.

The Scandinavian-style breakfast buffet is a treat: there’s even gluten-free bread if you can’t partake of the traditional Danish baked goods. There’s onsite bicycle rental, naturally, and while there’s no restaurant, Absalon has a stylish little cocktail bar that’s a good place to stop for a craft beer or a glass of wine before heading out into the city for the evening. Depending on your travel plans, you could opt into the hotel’s Concept24 plan — an option that allows you access to your hotel room for a full 24 hours, without paying an extra fee — but even on the shortest of stays, you’ll find the hotel’s location to be central and convenient to pretty much anything you’d like to do in Copenhagen.