The Vibe: Opened in 1960 and dubbed the world’s first design hotel, the 22-floor highrise, functionalist SAS Royal Hotel (now Radisson Collection Royal Hotel) is still a Copenhagen staple.

The Area: City Centre, opposite the main railway station.

The DNA: The hotel is what the Germans call a Gesamtkunstwerk—a work of art in totality. As part of Arne Jacobsen’s creative process, the architect, nature lover and forward-thinking designer styled everything from the cutlery, to icons-to-be, the Drop, Egg and Swan chairs. Many renovations followed since 1960, but the latest by Space Copenhagen brings back some of the glamour of the Golden Age of flying.

Suite-Me-Up: Sadly Room 606 (main photo) is no longer rented out, but kept as a museum nowadays. It preserves the look and feel of Jacobsen’s original scheme precisely, and design aficionados who make their pilgrimage here just to see this room often shed tears as they enter this design-hotel time capsule. Guest instead can choose from five new design-led suites with unique furniture, lamps and accessories and works of art created specifically for each room by Republic of Fritz Hansen. The brand founded in Denmark in 1872 is behind a furniture collection of some of the world’s best-loved classics, and the designers which the rooms are a tribute to include Cecilie Manz, Paul Kjærholm and Arne Jacobsen.

Seen: dezeen, Wallpaper*, WeHeart

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 261 rooms & suites (13-82m2) (140-883 sq ft) • hotel opened: 1960 • architecture & interior design: Arne Jacobsen • interior design: Space Copenhagen, Jaime Hayón, Fritz Hansen • on-site parking (charged) • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible