For nearly thirty years, since 1982, the Brøchner family has been housing guests in hotels that beautifully exemplify the Danish spirit of “hygge” – and that sense of blissful hospitality is pervasive throughout a stay at one of the four Copenhagen hotels that comprise the Brøchner Hotels group.
“It’s in our hearts” is the Brøchner Hotels company motto, so perhaps it is not surprising to feel immediately at home upon crossing the threshold of Ibsens Hotel. Located in the charmingly bohemian neighborhood of Nansengade (right down the street from the brand-new produce and food hall, Torvehallerne), Ibsens was acquired by the Brøchner family in 1997 – and completely redesigned in 2011.
In keeping with the Brøchner Hotels philosophy, the owners sought out local artisans to help furnish the boutique hotel – and the result is a hotel-cum-gallery, with both permanent and temporary art exhibitions on display in the cafe and courtyard and throughout the building’s six floors.
All of the Ibsens’ 118 rooms offer free WiFi/Internet and cable TV and are colorfully decorated in a clean, spare, and slightly retro style. The design sensibility is similar to Ace Hotel, complete with turntable and vinyl records in the downstairs lounge. Guests include fashionable hipsters as well as beautiful blond children accompanied by parents who appear to have stepped from a Banana Republic catalog.
(Source: Brochner Hotels Copenhagen, Denmark)
On Friday nights, Ibsens hosts a music night, complete with DJ and live music, which brings in locals from the neighborhood who mingle gregariously with hotel guests. The atmosphere is more laidback cool than insufferably hot – and again, a reflection of that Danish “hygge,” which the Brøchner family seems to serve intuitively.
A block from the Copenhagen lakes, and a mere five minutes from the world’s longest pedestrian shopping thoroughfare, Ibsens is also connected to the Hotel Kong Arthur, another of the Brøchner Hotels. Guests at Ibsens can choose from among the two properties’ five restaurants – and then soak off the indulgences in Copenhagen’s largest spa.
Breakfast at Ibsens is a fresh and healthy buffet that features smoothies, muesli, yogurt, berries, nuts, croissants – and rye bread sandwiches that are so toothsome and delicious that it’s nearly impossible to eat only one. Request a wake-up call so that you can linger at the “mingle tables” where you’ll meet fellow travelers as fascinating as you.
With bicycles for rent, as well as an electric car called “Buddy,” Ibsens is part of the world’s first carbon-neutral hotel chain, an honor held since 2008. Ibsens is also the first hotel in the world to accept Artmoney (bills created by artists in exchange for goods or services) – and the breakfast room wall is covered by framed Artmoney bills (available for purchase for approximately $40).
Ibsens is the sort of hotel that particularizes aspects of your most favorite homes. Claim it as yours.
LINK: Ibsens Hotel
