Latin Quarter / Indre By

Hotel SP34

★★★★★

Hotel SP34 is one of the best-value stylish hotels in central Copenhagen, and a favourite with travellers who want character and a lively neighbourhood without paying luxury prices. It takes its name from its address on Sankt Peders Straede, in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the old university district of narrow streets, cafes, vintage shops and bars between Stroget and the lakes, and it is part of the Danish Brochner Hotels group. The hotel combines old buildings with a modern interior in a minimalist Nordic style: raw, exposed brick in the hallways, warm wood, soft colours and design pieces, with headboards inspired by a classic Danish easy chair. There are 118 rooms and suites, from compact standard doubles to deluxe rooms with panoramic windows and a romantic penthouse suite, and all are furnished with comfortable beds and quality bathrooms. The hotel's most loved tradition is its daily Wine Hour, when guests are invited to an afternoon glass of wine on the house, followed by a Nightcap Hour later in the evening, a generous touch that turns the lobby into a social space and makes the hotel feel like a club. The lobby bar and the hotel's restaurants mean you never have to go far for a drink or a meal, though the Latin Quarter outside is full of options. Rates sit in the upper-middle range for Copenhagen, which, given the free wine and the location, makes it good value by the city's standards. The location is excellent for walking: Stroget and the City Hall Square are a few minutes away, Torvehallerne, the Round Tower and the King's Garden are within ten minutes, and Tivoli and Central Station are about fifteen minutes on foot.

The neighbourhood is a big part of the appeal. The Latin Quarter, around the university and the cathedral, is one of the most atmospheric parts of the old town, with seventeenth- and eighteenth-century houses, independent shops, bakeries and wine bars, and Sankt Peders Straede itself is a street of small cafes and bars. Staying here, you feel part of the city rather than in a tourist area, and the main sights are all within walking distance.

Rooms and extras: the standard rooms are compact, as in many central Copenhagen hotels, so consider a deluxe room with a panoramic window for more space and light, or the penthouse suite for a special occasion. The Wine Hour and Nightcap Hour are included for all guests and are a highlight of a stay, and the hotel has won awards from design and travel publications for its style and its welcome.

Who it suits: couples, friends travelling together and solo travellers who want a sociable, stylish hotel in a lively neighbourhood, at a fairer price than the luxury hotels. Families may find the standard rooms small. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street, as the Latin Quarter is lively at weekends.