Hotel Astoria | Copenhagen, Denmark
An Art Deco Landmark Celebrating the Romance of Rail Travel
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● One of Denmark’s finest examples of 1930s modernist architecture, designed to evoke the elegance and optimism of the golden age of train travel.
● Carefully preserved Art Deco details and original architectural features create a genuine sense of stepping back into another era.
● Its unique position beside Copenhagen Central Station makes arrival feel like part of the experience rather than simply the beginning of it.
A Hotel Built for the Journey
When Hotel Astoria opened in 1935, travel itself was an event. Designed by architect Ole Falkentorp as Denmark’s first station hotel, the streamlined building was conceived as an architectural companion to the trains arriving beside it. Its elongated silhouette recalls a steam locomotive, expressing the speed, movement, and optimism that defined the age of modern transport. The building celebrates departure. As much as arrival.
Modernism with Art Deco Elegance
Astoria captures a fascinating moment in architectural history. Curved corners, horizontal lines, tubular railings, expansive windows, warm teak panelling, brass details, and geometric forms combine Nordic restraint with the glamour of international Art Deco. Many original elements remain intact, including the former ticket counter, now thoughtfully transformed into a compact bar that quietly acknowledges the building’s remarkable past. History remains visible. Without becoming nostalgic.
Rooms Above the Rails
The guestrooms embrace the same spirit of functional elegance. Compact yet comfortable, they prioritise natural light, carefully restored details, and a calm atmosphere above the rhythm of Copenhagen Central Station. Looking out across the platforms, guests become part of the city’s constant movement while enjoying an unexpectedly peaceful retreat. Every window frames a journey. Already underway.
A Front-Row Seat to Copenhagen
The hotel’s location remains as compelling today as it was nearly a century ago. Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbro, the city’s historic centre, museums, restaurants, and galleries are all within walking distance, while trains, metro services, and international connections begin just beyond the entrance. Few hotels are so closely connected to the idea of movement. The city feels wonderfully accessible. Without ever feeling hurried.
An Enduring Design Classic
Hotel Astoria continues to demonstrate that great modernist architecture rarely loses its relevance. Its restrained elegance, honest functionality, and beautifully preserved details create an atmosphere that feels authentic rather than recreated. It remains a reminder of an era when architecture celebrated the excitement of travel itself. The destination matters. But so does the journey.
Why It Works
Hotel Astoria succeeds because it preserves the romance of travel without turning it into nostalgia. Ole Falkentorp’s streamlined masterpiece continues to express the optimism of modern movement, while its carefully restored interiors allow guests to experience one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive architectural landmarks exactly as it was intended: elegant, functional, and always ready for the next departure.
