Vesterbro

Urban House Copenhagen by MEININGER

★★★★★

Urban House Copenhagen is one of the best budget choices in the city for families and groups, combining the price of a hostel with the private rooms of a hotel. It stands in Vesterbro, the former working-class district behind Central Station that has become one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in Copenhagen, and it is part of MEININGER, the European chain of hybrid hotels and hostels, which took it over in 2017. With 218 rooms, it offers a wide range of options under one roof: double rooms with private bathrooms, private multi-bed rooms, family rooms, and dormitory beds for backpackers, in mixed or female-only dorms with lockers and ensuite bathrooms. That flexibility is the main appeal for families, who can book a private family room for a fraction of the cost of a central hotel, and for friends travelling together, who can share a multi-bed room. The facilities are designed for travellers who want to save money and have fun. There is a bar serving drinks, burgers and sandwiches, a guest kitchen where you can cook your own meals, with laundry facilities, bike hire at the reception, the easiest way to explore Copenhagen, a game zone, and work-friendly spaces. A breakfast buffet is available, free baby cots can be requested, and the reception is staffed around the clock. The location is very convenient: Central Station is less than 300 metres away, so trains to the airport, which is about nine kilometres from the hotel, and to day-trip destinations are on the doorstep, and Tivoli, the City Hall Square and the old town are a short walk. Istedgade and Vesterbrogade, with their cafes, bars and shops, are all around, and the Meatpacking District, with some of the city's most popular restaurants and bars, is a few minutes south. The atmosphere is young and sociable, and the shared spaces can be busy and noisy in the evenings.

Room advice: families should book a family room early, as they are popular in school holidays, and request a baby cot when booking if needed. Double rooms suit couples on a budget. Dorm beds are among the cheapest in the city, and the female-only dorms are a good option for solo women travellers. Use the guest kitchen to save on meals, and hire bikes at reception for a day of cycling, which is how Copenhageners get around.

Neighbourhood: Vesterbro has changed enormously in recent decades. Some streets near the station still have a gritty edge, which is part of the area's character, but the district is lively and generally safe, and it is full of good, affordable places to eat. Head to the Meatpacking District for dinner and to Vaernedamsvej for coffee and food shops.

Who it suits: families on a budget, groups of friends, backpackers and solo travellers who like a sociable atmosphere. For a pool, compare Steel House, a short walk away; for a family hotel with more facilities, the Tivoli Hotel; and for a quiet room with more style, Hotel Ottilia in nearby Carlsberg City.