Danish Design Break in Copenhagen with the Andersen Hotel in Vesterbro
Designmuseum Danmark reopens after a two-year total renovation. Guests can now experience eight new exhibitions. Stay in Vesterbro at leading independent boutique hotel – Andersen Hotel.
The Refurbished Hotel
The independent Andersen Hotel in the Vesterbro neighbourhood of Copenhagen has continued to refurbish over the years with a complete lobby and bar area redesign and refurbished bedrooms. The hotel also continues to innovate. The hotel operates a CONCEPT24 package which allows a late departure at no extra cost meaning the guest can keep the room for 24 hours, no matter the time of arrival. The hotel also recently unveiled CONCEPT GREEN. For guests staying for more than one night an option to decline housekeeping and opt for one of several experiences instead is available. The Andersen Hotel and sister hotel Absalon Hotel are both family-run by Karen Nedergaard. Andersen Hotel is named after Karen’s grandmother Erna Andersen who founded the Absalon Hotel Group over 80 years ago.
Karen maintained a design relationship with the UK’s DESIGNERS GUILD whose furniture, fabrics and wallpapers continue to be showcased across the hotel and now with a new look. Karen managed the entire design process and designed certain areas following years of guest interaction, understanding what works best for the guest experience.
To add warmth to the raw concrete floors and grey tones, furniture and wall surfaces with vertical round oak mouldings were integrated. These give a warm Nordic touch to the lobby area. Industrial black metal and glass walls were set in large spaces, creating intimate areas for guests to group together, if desired. A large free-standing oaken fireplace wall was also used to divide and create space. The fireplace can be seen from both sides and helps to create a warm and cosy atmosphere.
The design tasks involved working on a solution where the Buffet area used in the morning could be transformed into a Bar in the evening. This was resolved by raising the entire Buffet front at the touch of a button approx. 30 cm and thus transforming it into a Bar. The back wall facing the kitchen was covered with floral wallpaper ‘INDIAL SUNFLOWER’ while the lounge walls were lined with wallpaper design ‘ZARDOSI’, both by the DESIGNERS GUILD.
The reception area was designed with informality in mind featuring an oval desk. Behind the reception, a slatted clad wall was built with several cupboard cubes in different sizes, created by Danish company BY LASSEN. Receptionists sit on KIVI chairs by Danish company ENGELBRECHT. Guests sit on BEETLE chairs by Danish GUBI.
Award-winning Andersen Hotel is home to 69 bedrooms and suites all refurbished. The hotel offers a daily complimentary ‘Wine Hour’ in the Lobby between 5pm and 6pm, a great way to meet fellow guests or just to unwind before dinner. The hotel is also home to a new and modern fitness room for guest use.
Rent a hotel bike to explore the world’s most cycle friendly city. The new bikes will get you around the city easily and you are never far from water or greenery.
The Refurbished Museum
Summer 2022 sees the reopening of the Designmuseum Danmark which is housed in one of Copenhagen’s finest rococo buildings, the former Royal Frederik’s Hospital. The museum has undergone a comprehensive renovation of the interior of this historic building across all exhibition and guest areas. The museum chose to close down in 2020 and start the major renovation and redevelopment that has secured the museum’s unique historic building framework for the future. In a comprehensive reorganisation of all exhibition and audience areas and rethinking of the guest experience. The museum is currently in its 132nd year.
New café and museum shop – In addition to the exhibitions, the museum has renovated all its guest areas. The museum’s café and shop are redesigned by the award-winning OEO Studio with a new concept and more lounge areas.
In the middle of the museum lies the open museum garden, a bit of breathing space in the heart of the city. The garden is used as an exhibition space and in the warmer months the museum café extends outside.
Forthcoming new exhibitions include:
“A EXHIBITION ABOUT THE DESIGN OF THE FUTURE THE FUTURE IS PRESENT” June 2022 — June 2023
Currently, designers around the world are working on solving some of our global challenges. Thinking radically and creatively, allowing themselves to be guided by both reason and emotion.
“A JOURNEY THROUGH DANISH DESIGN HISTORY THE MAGIC OF FORM” June 2022 — August 2023
Join us on a journey through the history, currents and inspiration of Danish design. ‘The Magic of Form’ has been created in collaboration between Louisiana, Kunsten and Designmuseum Danmark.
Several older collections will continue at the museum albeit with new surroundings and layout.
The Hotel’s Neighbourhood
Heading back to the Andersen Hotel and its Vesterbro location, guests can spend a few days exploring this vibrant part of central Copenhagen. The former Meat Packing District has evolved beautifully making use of large spaces which today feature galleries, independent boutiques, bars and restaurants with plenty of outdoor space. The area is cosy and homely but welcomes visitors with its arms wide open. Vesterbro is the top-pick district of urban Copenhageners too meaning this is no tourist trap! Visit Copenhagen describe Vesterbro as follows; “Once, Vesterbro’s claim to fame was its status as the red-light district of Copenhagen. Today, the popular neighbourhood is equally cool and authentic while mixing family living with hip nightlife, fashion boutiques, shops and old school gritty vibes.” Danes are happy people and the UN World Happiness Report has rated Danes as one of the happiest people on earth several times and you can see this in an area like Vesterbro which retains its charm.
www.andersen-hotel.dk Helgolandsgade 12, DK-1653 Copenhagen +45 33 31 43 44
B&B is priced from 1650 DKK (around £190) per room per night
Copenhagen airport is 20 minutes away (5 mins walk to central Station then a 15 mins train)
