checking in
first hotel skt petri, copenhagen
Décor and atmosphere: Coolly functional yet cosy, in true Danish style. A 1930s shopping centre, originally by Vilhelm Lauritzen, was restructured and opened as a hotel in 2003. Soaring central spaces, escalators and expanses of white tiles and glass are warmed by chandeliers, quirky artwork and leather armchairs. All rooms have a calming aesthetic with furnishings and throws in a colour palate of deep reds, soft mushroom greys and blues chosen by Danish artist Per Arnoldi. REN toiletries add a touch of luxury.
Plus points: Knockout views over the spires of Copenhagen start on the fifth floor, and vistas from the sixth and seventh floors are even more impressive. Of 268 rooms, 24 are suites, 50 have private terraces and five have spacious private balconies with wooden sundecks.
On the wellbeing side of things, although there’s no pool or spa, the rooftop gym has those great city views too. And you can get massages, beauty treatments and private yoga sessions in your room.
To retox, head for the hotel’s dark, sexy Red Bar. It’s a fixture on Copenhagen’s late-night cocktail circuit. There is also a good Asian fusion restaurant and café in-house.
Minus points: Only room service let Skt Petri down on Sterling’s visit. A getout clause on the breakfast request card warns guests that it may arrive half an hour late at peak times. Sure enough, breakfast turned up 40 minutes after our requested time of 9.30am. With a whole night’s notice, it’s hard to imagine why they can’t get this right.
Tech talk: WiFi is currently only in the lobby floor. Internet in rooms is dialup broadband – both at no extra charge, and voicemail and two-line phone is in all rooms. ‘XL Lifestyle’ suites upwards have Bang & Olufsen TV and stereo. The current business centre is a one-horse (OK two-printer) affair, but a larger one is due to be built. There’s one large conference centre seating 250, plus six meeting rooms each for 26, and seven mini break-out rooms.
Cost: Rooms range from small 24m2 (€215) to XXL at 67m2 (€945). The ‘star suite’ (Jacuzzi, sauna, 63m2 roof terrace, meeting area) runs into the €3,000s.
First Hotel Skt Petri, Krystalgade 22, Copenhagen, +45 3345 9100 www.hotelsktpetri.com, www.designhotels.com
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