Axel Hotel Guldsmeden

Hotel description

Upon checking into a Copenhagen boutique hotel, you might expect mid-century Danish furnishings and frosty minimalist design. But increasingly, boutique in Denmark means going against the grain. The Axel Hotel Guldsmeden, certainly, is anything but modernist; here, in the heart of Copenhagen, is a hotel that’s all rustic charm, in a style that’s described as Bali via Denmark — it is, at any rate, all unfinished woods, teak and bamboo, with Persian rugs thrown in for added flavor.

It’s a great fit for this laid-back and unpretentious city, where cars defer to bikes and even the wealthy are loath to flaunt it. In some cities a boutique hotel inevitably means thumping disco beats and helpless fashion-model hotel staff — this place is more like a chilled-out country retreat, in spite of its very urban location. Even the penthouse suites are more deeply comfortable than truly decadent; the city views are breathtaking, to be sure, but what you’ll remember are the feather duvets and the oversized tubs.

As for location, it’s hard to do much better. You’re close to the family-friendly Tivoli Garden and possibly even closer to the red-light district — all sides of this compact and walkable city are easily within reach.