1 Hotel Copenhagen – Copenhagen, Denmark
Where Scandinavian Design Meets Sustainable Sanctuary
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A landmark reinvention of Copenhagen’s iconic Skt. Petri, transformed into Northern Europe’s first 1 Hotel.
● A masterclass in biophilic design by AvroKO, Norm Architects, and Arkitema, where nature is woven into every space.
● Scandinavian minimalism meets the 1 Hotels philosophy of sustainability, wellness, and conscious luxury.
A Forest Grows in Copenhagen
Some hotels bring nature indoors. 1 Hotel Copenhagen makes nature the architecture. Occupying the former Skt. Petri hotel in Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter, this ambitious transformation turns a well-known design address into something entirely new: a living, breathing urban sanctuary inspired by the forests, coastlines, and seasonal rhythms of Scandinavia. The original building—a 1928 functionalist department store designed as Daells Varehus—already carried architectural significance. But under the stewardship of 1 Hotels, it has evolved into something far more immersive. This is not a hotel decorated with plants. It is a hotel designed around nature itself. From towering indoor trees and cascading greenery to reclaimed timber, natural stone, and softly filtered daylight, every space feels rooted in the landscapes of Denmark. The result is both unmistakably Nordic and unmistakably 1 Hotel.
Biophilic Design, Scandinavian Style
The transformation has been entrusted to a formidable design team: AvroKO, Norm Architects, and Arkitema. Together they have created an environment that feels less like a conventional city hotel and more like an urban ecosystem. The arrival experience immediately sets the tone. Guests enter a soaring atrium where full-sized trees rise through multiple floors beneath abundant natural light. Limestone, reclaimed wood, textured plaster, and handcrafted materials create an atmosphere that feels organic rather than manufactured. There is a remarkable restraint to the design. Nothing feels decorative. Everything feels intentional. The palette is inspired by the Danish landscape itself: weathered oak, pale stone, moss greens, muted greys, and soft earth tones that echo forests, dunes, and coastal cliffs. Rather than competing with Copenhagen’s design heritage, the hotel extends it.
Rooms Inspired by the Nordic Landscape
The 282 guestrooms and suites continue the dialogue between comfort, sustainability, and Scandinavian simplicity. Natural oak, linen, wool, and stone dominate the interiors. Large windows flood the rooms with Nordic daylight, framing views of courtyards, rooftops, and the surrounding city. The atmosphere is calm and restorative. Nothing feels excessive. Nothing feels missing. Bathrooms are equally thoughtful, featuring rainfall showers, natural stone surfaces, living greenery, and Bamford amenities that reinforce the connection between wellness and nature. Even the smallest details support the hotel’s philosophy. Refillable amenities. Filtered water stations. Reclaimed materials. In-room yoga mats. Every choice feels purposeful rather than performative.
A Building That Breathes
One of the most impressive achievements of 1 Hotel Copenhagen is the way it blurs the boundary between inside and outside. Vertical gardens soften corridors. Indoor trees punctuate communal spaces. Natural ventilation and abundant daylight create a constant awareness of the environment. The architecture never overwhelms. Instead, it quietly encourages guests to slow down, observe, and reconnect. This is sustainability expressed through experience rather than messaging. The building doesn’t tell you it is environmentally conscious. You simply feel it.
Dining Rooted in Place
The culinary programme embraces the same philosophy. At Fjora, Michelin Green Star chef Chantelle Nicholson creates menus inspired by Nordic landscapes and seasonal ingredients. Wild herbs, sustainably sourced seafood, heirloom vegetables, and local producers shape a cuisine that feels deeply connected to place. The cooking is sophisticated but never overly complicated. Nature remains the protagonist. Meanwhile, PÆRE elevates Nordic cocktail culture with botanical infusions, local spirits, and seasonal ingredients presented with understated elegance. For something more casual, Farmstand functions as a contemporary market café, offering fresh produce, artisanal products, local cheeses, and grab-and-go specialties that celebrate Danish craftsmanship.
Wellness Beyond the Spa
Wellness at 1 Hotel Copenhagen is not confined to a treatment room. It is embedded throughout the experience. The Field House Gym combines state-of-the-art fitness facilities with natural materials and soft lighting, creating an environment that feels welcoming rather than intimidating. Guests can choose from strength training, Pilates, meditation sessions, and guided wellness experiences. The upcoming Bamford Wellness Spa will further expand the offering with holistic treatments, hydrotherapy experiences, and plant-based rituals inspired by Scandinavian approaches to wellbeing. But perhaps the greatest luxury here is something simpler. Space. Light. Silence. Nature.
The Perfect Urban Sanctuary
For all its emphasis on nature, the hotel remains deeply connected to the city around it. Located in Copenhagen’s historic Latin Quarter, guests are within walking distance of some of the city’s most beloved landmarks. The Botanical Gardens, Round Tower, Tivoli Gardens, independent boutiques, cafés, and museums are all close at hand. Nørreport Station is only minutes away. The airport can be reached in under half an hour. It is a location that offers both immersion and escape.
The Future of Luxury Hospitality
1 Hotel Copenhagen feels perfectly timed. It reflects a growing shift in luxury travel away from excess and towards meaning. Away from spectacle and towards substance. Away from consumption and towards connection. Yet it never sacrifices comfort or beauty in pursuit of those ideals. Instead, it demonstrates that sustainability can be luxurious, wellness can feel natural, and design can be both sophisticated and responsible.
A New Nordic Icon
1 Hotel Copenhagen represents one of the most significant hotel transformations in Scandinavia. By combining Copenhagen’s design heritage with the globally respected 1 Hotels philosophy, it creates something genuinely compelling: a luxury hotel that feels restorative, conscious, and deeply connected to its surroundings. For travellers seeking thoughtful design, meaningful sustainability, exceptional food, and a genuine sense of place, this is far more than a hotel. It is Copenhagen breathing. And inviting you to do the same.
