Hotel Review: SKT. Petri, Copenhagen in Denmark

Leading travel writer Chloe Boston from WanderWoman Co travels to Copenhagen to review the newly-renovated Hotel SKT Petri, and finds some unexpected retro glam in the city…

Copenhagen is a city of contrasts.

There is the colourful neighbourhood of Freetown Christiania; a car-free, green haven well known for its autonomous inhabitants’ alternative way of life. Then there’s Tivoli Gardens, the world-famous theme park in the heart of the city centre, a national treasure founded in 1843 that still draws in the crowds of families thanks to the fairy tale atmosphere, thousands of lights and beautiful gardens.

SKT. Petri, Copenhagen in Denmark — The hotel is located in the charming Latin Quarter of the city

All of this is a backdrop to the huge number of architectural masterpieces along the main canal, the ‘Black Diamond’ Royal Danish Library and the beautiful Royal Danish Playhouse just a few of many.

Hotel SKT Petri, in both its concept and design, aims to bring together these two sides of Copenhagen. The hotel is located in the charming Latin Quarter of the city, which has always been home to artists, philsophers and artisans.

What was once the enormous department store ‘Daells Varehus’, is now the Hotel SKT Petri. Once an icon in shopping centres; the ‘it’ place to be; the building was owned by the brothers Daells and was an epicentre of commerce and luxe in the city. And the external frame remains to this day, right down to the grand revolving door and double escalators heading up to the lobby that greet you upon arrival.

Centrally located, the hotel offers a refined yet rejuvinated sense of luxury following a full refurbishment that completed in June 2017. The renovation works transformed the existing rooms and lobby, as well as creating 20 new rooms and a brand new dining space, P-Eatery.

The new design, by architect Hilde Aasbø, is not traditionally Danish. Instead guests can look forward to experiencing a timeless sense of laidback luxury, whilst looking out on the classical townhouses, historic buildings and the old university from their bedroom windows.

It’s a listed building (and has been since 1928), and the new top-to-toe makeover resonates far beyond Denmark’s borders; there’s no light wood and grey faux fur – say goodbye Scandi Chic.

There are clean lines; and geometric forms and symmetry both play great roles in the new design. Richer colours take precedence and softer interiors make the whole place feel warmer, despite its mammoth structure.

And the sky-bridging atrium lobby was one of the hardest challenges of the redesign. A once empty space has been transformed with a colourful new design, bar and lounge areas. The open shelving and assorted seating areas help create smaller, more intimate spaces, whilst geometric marbled flooring is punctuated by the emerald green curved sofas and armchairs. The most eye-catching part of this multi-layered lobby is the ‘living’ lamp, hanging centrally from the ceiling, entirely covered by leaf and foliage.

But arguably the best part, is that none of this is visible from street level, all slowly coming into vision as guests ascend the green-glass escalators.

Beyond the atrium, there is an outdoor courtyard, which hosts a pizza station, weddings and concerts during the summer months.

Rooms are comfortably sized, with the new design offering a grown-up, yet glamourous aura. There is a touch of the retro-vintage; with dark shades of wood, petrol blues and brassy golds with pops of the same emerald green. Despite being located on one of the most pedestrianised streets in Copenhagen, solid soundproofing keeps out all the city noise.

The location is key, as you can walk from the hotel to all major city centre attractions such as Parliament Tower, which opened to the public in the last few years, and the old Copenhagen Observatory Roundhouse, which you can climb all the way to the top. One of the cities largest transport stations of Nørreport is only 5 minutes walk away, and has a direct link to the airport.