Herman K — Copenhagen’s Industrial Icon Reborn
A raw, architectural sanctuary carved from a 1963 transformer station
A Brutalist Landmark with New Life
Back under its original name after a brief rebranding, Herman K once again stands as one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive design hotels. Set inside a former transformer station from 1963, the building’s heritage-protected façade—defined by dark bronze slats and a geometric grid of metal blades—anchors it firmly in the city’s architectural landscape. Giant steel doors open into a dramatic 12-metre-high entrance hall, where concrete, shadow, and structural honesty whisper stories of the building’s industrial past.
Industrial Drama, Danish Warmth
Inside, the hotel balances its raw frame with soft Scandinavian refinement. Naked concrete walls meet deep-pile carpets, textured upholstery, and sleek contemporary furnishings. A 3D-printed sculptural piece floats above the brushed-steel bar, casting shifting shadows across the lobby and adding a sense of quiet theatre. Rotating artworks from a local gallery hang throughout the public areas, blurring the line between hotel and cultural space. It’s industrial chic softened by warmth—rigorous in form, inviting in tone.
Rooms Designed for Calm and Comfort
The 31 rooms soften the hotel’s brutalist bones with pale greys, plush carpets, and modern Danish furniture. Custom-made beds—modelled after first-class airline suites—come equipped with integrated lighting controls, USB ports, power outlets, and BOSE sound systems. Bathrooms feel intimate yet refined, with organic Munkholm toiletries presented in full-size glass bottles and sustainability embedded in every detail. The overall mood is minimalist, tactile, and quietly luxurious.
A Penthouse Worth the Hype
If you can, book the penthouse. Generous in scale and rich with natural light, it crowns the building with a loft-like atmosphere that feels both exclusive and understated. It’s Herman K at its most indulgent: elevated views, expressive materials, and a sense of privacy impossible to replicate in standard rooms.
Bar Culture at the Core
Today, Herman K has shifted away from its former full-restaurant identity and leans into a more focused approach: the bar is now the social heart of the hotel. Here, guests can unwind beneath soaring ceilings with craft cocktails, small bites, and the glow of Copenhagen’s creative energy. It’s intimate, moody, and distinctly local—an easy meeting point before stepping out into the city, or a stylish wind-down after exploring.
Design with an Edge, Location with Ease
Set in the centre of Copenhagen, Herman K places guests within minutes of Strøget’s shopping streets, Nyhavn’s harbour views, and Christiansborg Palace. Magasin du Nord sits just across the road, while Kongens Nytorv’s Metro station provides effortless connections, including a direct link to the airport. Amid the historic townhouses that line the neighbourhood, Herman K’s brutalist outline remains a striking architectural counterpoint.
Sustainability in Practice, Not Performance
The hotel quietly champions sustainability: its power is fully wind-generated, amenities come in refillable glass containers, and coffee capsules are recycled. Even the adaptive reuse of the transformer station speaks to a deeper ethos—preserving what can be preserved while updating what elevates the guest experience. Herman K’s design is proof that ecological responsibility and aesthetic ambition can align beautifully.
DNA Hotels Verdict
Herman K is one of Copenhagen’s most compelling design transformations—a brutalist industrial shell reinvented as a darkly elegant boutique retreat. Raw concrete meets Danish softness, dramatic volumes meet intimate rooms, and art meets architecture at every turn. For travelers seeking atmosphere over opulence and character over convention, Herman K is a masterclass in adaptive reuse and one of the city’s standout stays.
