Carlsberg City / Vesterbro

Hotel Ottilia

★★★★★

Hotel Ottilia is one of the most characterful mid-range hotels in Copenhagen, set in the heart of the old Carlsberg brewery, which has been transformed into a new district known as Carlsberg City. The hotel occupies two listed brewery buildings, one formerly used to store beer and the other to store malt, and it is named after Ottilia, the wife of the brewer Carl Jacobsen, whose family built Carlsberg and whose art collection founded the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek. It belongs to the Danish Brochner Hotels group, which also runs Hotel SP34 in the Latin Quarter, and it shares that hotel's generous habits. Every afternoon, guests are invited to a free Wine Hour, and later in the evening to a Nightcap Hour, and free coffee is available every morning from six to eleven. There are 155 rooms and suites, ranging from small doubles to standard, superior and deluxe rooms and suites, designed with a mix of industrial character, raw materials and warm, comfortable Scandinavian furnishings, and the suites are a good choice for a special occasion. The organic breakfast is a point of pride for the hotel, and on the roof, Tramonto, the rooftop restaurant, serves Italian-inspired food with views across the city. There is also a fitness room. The Carlsberg district is a fascinating place to stay: its historic brewery buildings, including the famous Elephant Gate, stand alongside new architecture, squares and cafes, and the Home of Carlsberg visitor centre is close by. The district has its own S-train station, Carlsberg, from which trains run to Central Station in a few minutes, and the area is also within walking distance of Vesterbro's restaurants, Frederiksberg Have and Copenhagen Zoo. The city centre and Tivoli are about half an hour away on foot, or a short ride by train or bus. Rates are in the upper-middle range for Copenhagen, which, with the free wine and coffee and the quality of the breakfast, makes Ottilia good value for travellers who do not need to be in the old town.

Location logic: staying in Carlsberg City means swapping a few minutes of travel for a quieter, more local experience. Use the S-train from Carlsberg station or a city bike to reach the centre, and spend evenings in Vesterbro, with its many restaurants, or in the Meatpacking District. The zoo, Frederiksberg Have and Sondermarken make the area especially good for a relaxed stay with time outdoors.

Room advice: the small doubles are compact, so choose a standard or superior room for more space, and a deluxe room or suite for the best views and a special occasion. Make time for the Wine Hour, which is a highlight of a stay, and book a table at Tramonto for at least one dinner, especially at sunset.

Who it suits: couples, friends and design-minded travellers who want character, a sense of history and generous extras at a fair price. Families should check room sizes carefully, as the hotel lists no dedicated family rooms. Those who want to step straight out into the old town should choose Hotel SP34, Ottilia's sister hotel in the Latin Quarter.