We knew we were in for something special when we entered through the hotel’s ground floor and found ourselves getting the lift to the reception area. The music was a vibe, and the staff welcomed us gracefully as guests were making their free takeaway coffee in branded cellophane cups.
As a family of 3 on this trip, we slept comfortably in the Deluxe Room with Round Window. The window in the room sits centre stage with a curved seating area encouraging you to enjoy the Nordic skies until late in the evening. Views of the square and fountain, in addition to some of the memorable architecture such as the original entrance to the brewery, could be seen from our window. The room had great bathroom amenities by REN, tea and coffee making facilities and a good hairdryer.
Our first meal was at the hotel’s rooftop Italian restaurant TRAMONTO. The 360º view of Copenhagen over the old Carlsberg village is exactly what you want to experience. The restaurant houses a lounge and bar, with options for guests to chill indoors and outdoors until sunset. The eating area is openly adjacent to the kitchen, managed by Davide Annaro, who, with Southern enthusiasm, adds a Nordic twist to the classic Italian dishes. We had the burrata with eggplant parmigiana in a basil sauce. Recommending a pizza at a fine Italian restaurant can sound cliché. Still, you must try their ‘Our version of the Marinara’, a vegetarian option that hits more on the sweet side with its dozens of variations of baked cherry tomatoes. The combination of sourdough bread with tomato sauce, Taggiasche olives, and marinated garlic will tingle your taste buds.
During the late afternoons, we indulged in ‘Wine Hour’ between 17:00 and 18:00. This is a good time to sit back and enjoy a glass among the numerous spaces on the first floor. Here is where other guests group together and get to enjoy their downtime in a communal social environment. During our stay, we noticed it was particularly quiet in the mornings, and saw some guests working on their laptops.
Other on-site activities include using a private gym housed in a small room on the second floor. Up to two people can use the gym at a time, which is the best part about it! Guests can experience the ancient thermal baths at AIRE, which are also located in other cities such as Barcelona, New York, London, Seville, and more. We didn´t get a chance to indulge in a massage or exclusive ritual, but we intend to take advantage the next time we visit.
The local neighbourhood is vibrant and very convenient as well. Besides the stunningly beautiful architecture (both historical and new), there are numerous grocery stores, cafés, and even some much-praised restaurants like the Japanese eatery kōnā around the corner. It’s an area perfect for families, with wide-open pedestrianised lanes and calm roads (think cycling), numerous parks, and the Copenhagen Zoo is only a 15-minute walk away. Whatever floats your boat, Hotel Ottilia will grant you just what you want when visiting the Danish capital.