Scandistyle in hotel format: AV loves SP34
It's fair to say we hardly ever find a place we don't love for some reason, but Copenhagen took us completely by surprise. When you live in a big city like London, city breaks, although a super exciting chance to explore a different metropolis, can sometimes leave you feeling like you're ready for another holiday afterwards, not the return to work. But from the moment we landed in Copenhagen and spotted the big HEJA! sign as we found our way to the tube to town, we felt relaxed. The wide boulevards of the city, the focus on artisan food, coffee and lifestyle, the high quality of living and the resulting grins on all the (incredibly beautiful) Danish who stroll, or most likely cycle past you as you explore this laid back capital, leave you feeling rested from the get go.
It helps of course if you are staying in somewhere as beautiful as SP34 (Sankt Peders Stræde 34, 1453 København, Denmark +45 33 13 30 00). Centrally located for the sights and shopping, and just a stumble away from AV favourite dinner joint Bror, SP34 is the epitome of a haute-design hotel, with the ergonomic, squishy round edges of a Danish welcome.
As you step through the front door, you know you're staying somewhere a little different. The reception doubles as a bar, and the lobby is also a whiskey lounge, with huge skylights that drench the polished concrete surfaces with bright nordic light. Head up to your room, and although you won't find masses of space, every single inch is cleverly used, with sparing but achingly cool accessories and details.
We had a beautiful big bay window which allowed us to see the world wake up along the quaint and homely Sankt Peders Stræde, and added character to the room that you'd never find in a purpose built block. But the runaway best bit of SP34 is the breakfast. We've had good breakfasts; the Hotel Missoni in Edinburgh, and the Lycia Hotel in Kas are high up there; but SP34 wins for quality, organicity, imagination and flair. Take time of breakfast here, and don't you dare think of taking a room-only option.
In a nutshell, we'll be back, you should go too.