Copenhagen's Central Post Office Is Now One Of The City's Hottest Hotels

From street level, Villa Copenhagen is already impressive. Stepping inside, however, is when you realize this is a property unlike any other in Copenhagen. With over a century of history behind it, it was never going to be anything less.

Once the communications backbone of Scandinavia, the hotel occupies the former headquarters of the Danish postal service. The neo-baroque building dates to 1912, reopening in 2020 following an extensive renovation by London-based Universal Design Studio, who transformed it into the five-star hotel it is today.

Sitting adjacent to Tivoli Gardens in the central Vesterbro neighborhood, and across from Copenhagen Central Station, the hotel’s location is unmatched. Especially if you plan to take the train from the airport, the cheapest way to get into the city for anyone visiting. Thirty minutes and one transfer later, the train arrives directly in front of the hotel. For the chronic over packer like me, elevators take you from the platform to the street, where you can easily roll bags across the street and into the hotel for check-in.

The Building

The ground floor, where check-in desks and concierge services are tucked behind the Courtyard Bar and Rug Bakery entrances, is a generous space conducive to meeting friends old and new. By late afternoon both spaces come alive with guests and locals settling in to catch up with one another, or to take a breather after a long day of exploring the sights of the city. A resident DJ makes sure the vibe matches the mood as wine and cocktails make their way to each table, making it feel like a neighborhood destination than a hotel bar.

The Rooms

Standard rooms start at 19 square meters, which is limiting in terms of storage space and the ability to move around freely. If you’re traveling as a pair, the space constraint becomes obvious quite quickly. The elegant design, however, makes up for this limitation with herringbone parquet floors and soft, neutral palettes Danish design is known for which somehow manage to keep the space inviting and relaxed.

While this is something to note before a stay, the rooms aren’t where you’ll be spending most of your time anyway. Alternatively, Deluxe rooms offer a considerable increase in space while the suites and Penthouse, featuring a steel spiral staircase, are in their own category entirely.

The hotel has 390 rooms in total across all room categories.

The Pool

One of the biggest draws to the hotel is the pool. It’s also the hardest feature to miss if you look at any photos of the property online or on social media. Come Danish winter, it’s a selling point unto itself for staying at the property. The 82-foot lap pool is heated to a steady 28–30 degrees Celsius your-round using excess energy recovered from the hotel’s own cooling systems.

The surrounding 1,200 square meter terrace nicknamed “The Hidden Garden,” and Finnish sauna and fitness room on the same level, give this area of the hotel its own distinct appeal.

Copenhagen by Bike

To see Copenhagen by bike is a quintessential experience. The city is built for it. Renting one of the hotel’s bikes is a must during any stay.

Cycling to the National Museum, the Round Tower, Nyhavn's waterfront, and Freetown Christiania are just a few easily reachable destinations within twenty minutes.

Be sure to practice appropriate bike lane etiquette and don’t get discouraged if a local has a few choice words for your riding style. They’ve been navigating the city this way since childhood. Learning the unspoken rules of the road are also part of the experience.

The Verdict

Overall, Villa Copenhagen stands out as one of the best hotels in the city. With a prime location next to Tivoli Gardens and the Central Station, social atmosphere, and remarkable amenities, Villa Copenhagen is an easy recommendation.

Standard rooms at Villa Copenhagen start at $195 per night.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com