Hotel STAY Copenhagen

STAY Copenhagen is situated in an area called Islands Brygge, which is within walking distance to the trendy bars and shops in the area, which are close to the makeshift summer beach of Copenhagen. This area is lovely to sit around and watch keen swimmers enjoying a (freezing cold) dip, especially during the Jazz Festival (first 10 days of July), when there are lots of free concerts taking place on a stage in this area. This area is still largely residential and a 20-minute walk from the nearest trendy Vesterbro area just across the canal. The easiest way of getting around is by taxi from here, especially if you're not a big fan of walking.

The STAY Copenhagen concept is very different to what you might expect from a hotel, both service and room wise. This is a residential hotel with apartments only and feels fairly remote from the rest of the city, which is ideal if you are in need of a proper break from it all whilst remaining within a short distance from urban commotion. Wi-Fi is complimentary throughout the hotel. There is also free parking for guests.

The hotel is owned by the Danish developers, GSA Ejendomme and was kitted out entirely in Hay furniture and used to be an artist squat in the 1960s.

STAY Copenhagen is a residential apartment complex that goes unnoticed from the exterior but will be remembered as soon as you step inside. Entirely kitted out in contemporary Danish designer furniture by Hay; the entire hotel looks like a showroom-cum-gallery. The concept is based on a Manhattan loft-style mixed with typical contemporary Danish design and was meant to reflect Copenhagen's fashion and design personality. The hotel even publishes its own magazine 'STAY', which has a largely fashion angle but is also full of original ideas of things to do in the city. The building used to be an artist squat in the 1960s until it was bought by developers who turned it into its present-day form in 2010. So the building still retains its original character and has a subtle charm that helps it from falling into the cold and sterile category despite its monochrome theme. The entire complex is in the shape of a capital 'A', with apartments on both branches and reception at the point, which is the main entrance to the hotel. The first (main) building comprises only of white apartments and the second building (which has to be accessed through a door further down the street) has black apartments.

As you walk in through the reception it feels like being in a theatre as everything, from floor to ceiling is black. The reception desk is a large square high table to the right, with two smiling blonde bombshells to greet you. The staff uniform here is anything designer as long as it's black or white, just like the hotel. The aim here is to render the lobby casual and approachable, but this type of reception also gives the hotel a quirky yet casual edge. There is a loo in the lobby area for guest use - actually, there are two loos side by side without a separation, so you can even go with your partner or a friend if you are into that kind of thing! Through the lobby is the large white breakfast room lined by a large bay window. Here you'll find lots of business types having meetings over coffee. It is rarely busy so you will always find a place to sit. Through the room is another room, a grey room which serves as a gym. Well-equipped and of a good size, the gym (free of use) is often in use by one or two permanent residents. There is also the sky lounge, in startling white, with equally good views of the surroundings. This room is usually used for functions.

The rooms are situated upstairs on the higher floors (6 in total). In the main building you will also find a superb sun deck overlooking the canal and the city across the bridge, which is where events are held during the Copenhagen Fashion Week in August.

The hotel comprises of 60 serviced apartments and is great success with various celebrities looking for some privacy within close proximity to the Danish capital. The rooms are available in two sizes and two colours: 135m² (Atelier XL) or 65m², both for two people, although either is big enough to accommodate a couple of families! Queries regarding extra beds must be addressed directly to the hotel. There are black rooms and white rooms, which despite the lack of colour are actually very cosy and comfortable. The apartments have everything you might need, including a full kitchen and cleaning products. The kitchen is a little barren - there is two of everything, so if you're planning on having people over, make sure you organise it before hand with reception. Also, there is no coffee machine, so if you are fond of your morning espresso, bring your own. The space basically looks like an open-plan loft apartment surrounded by glass walls, letting the surrounding cityscape serve as interior decoration. Be warned though, if you switch the lights on at night, your neighbours will get a full view of what's going on in your apartment, so make sure you close the blinds if you require a little privacy. As the building has been around for a good few years (it used to be an artist squat), the walls are thick; the apartments are therefore well sound proofed so you really do feel like in your very own bubble floating above the Danish skyline, which is a very restful sensation. The only comment we have to make is that with all the surfaces being black or white, it is difficult to keep clean and maintain in tip top shape, so you may notice a few snags and scratches. Otherwise, the bathrooms are all of a good size and all have showers (no bath tubs). There is no room-service.

Apartments for longer stays are also equipped with washing machine and dryer.

The hotel is fairly basic when it comes to food - as with most hotels in the city, STAY only has a breakfast room, leaving guests to explore Copenhagen's 600 or so restaurants at lunch and dinner. The breakfast is served in a wholly white room through the reception. Breakfast comprises of fully healthy and organic foods served between 7:00am-9:00am Monday-Friday and 8:00am-10:00am at the weekends. There is no room service here. There are a couple of take-away places just outside the hotel on the same block, and you will find some quaint tasty places closer to the harbour which is a 10 minute walk away if you don't want to venture out too far.

The breakfast room is otherwise open for coffee most of the day for business types having meetings and the like. But it's also a pleasant hang out if you want to curl up with a good book - not that the breakfast room will beat the sun deck, the sky lounge or your very own loft apartment!