Arne Jacobsen in the 21st Century
07 August 2007
This hotel was voted Copenhagen's ugliest building when it opened in 1961 and is still a contender for this dubious honour. Arne Jacobsen, its architect, was given free reign to design all the furniture and fittings even down to the restaurant cuttlery. Despite a recent refurbishment, Jacobsen's ethos is still in evidence. There are Swan and Egg chairs in the lobby. A glamorous spiral staircase leads to, well, nothing very glamorous on the first floor.
Our room was on the 19th floor, with a view right across to Sweden. More Jacobsen chairs in the room. The bathroom was generously proportioned by modern standards but struck us as more retro than chic.
The concierge was very helpful, and booked us a table at an up-and-coming restaurant in the Old Town, an easy walk away.
Having completed this pilgrimage to 20th Century design, a return visit to Copenhagen is likely to be spent in a smaller hotel near Nyhavn. There is more to Denmark than just Arne Jacobsen.
Alex Malmaeus, Torekov, Sweden
Mature Couple (36+)