A house older than the nation's constitution
When Hotel d'Angleterre opened its doors in 1755, Denmark was an absolute monarchy and Kongens Nytorv — the King's New Square — was the showpiece of a city reinventing itself in the Baroque style. The founder, Jean Marchal, was a Frenchman who had served in aristocratic households; the idea of an establishment offering the comfort of a noble residence to paying travellers was, at the time, still novel. More than 270 years later, it is counted among the oldest hotels in the world still in operation.
The hotel's current neoclassical façade — the brilliant white frontage that now anchors the northern side of the square — dates from later rebuilding, and a comprehensive renovation completed in 2013 reshaped the interiors for contemporary travellers while retaining the grand staircases, high ceilings and ceremonial public rooms that give the house its presence.
Rooms and atmosphere
Rooms and suites are dressed in a restrained Nordic palette of soft greys, creams and polished brass, with marble bathrooms and tall windows that frame either the square or the old city rooftops. The mood is decidedly calm: Danish design sensibility — understatement, excellent materials, attention to light — sits comfortably alongside the hotel's historic proportions.
"In December, the white façade becomes Copenhagen's best-known Christmas display."A local tradition
The hotel is famous locally for its elaborate seasonal decorations, and in winter the square in front has traditionally hosted a public ice rink, giving the entrance an almost theatrical backdrop.
At the table
The flagship restaurant, Marchal, is named after the founder and has earned Michelin recognition for its modern Nordic cooking built on French technique. For something lighter, Balthazar is a dedicated champagne bar with an extensive list of grower and prestige cuvées, while the Palmehaven palm court serves afternoon tea and all-day dining beneath a glass roof.
Wellness
Amazing Space, the hotel's spa, occupies the lower level with an indoor pool, sauna and steam facilities and a menu of treatments. It is a genuine asset in a city where winter afternoons are short and cold.
Who it suits
- Travellers who want to walk to Nyhavn, Strøget and the Royal Danish Theatre in minutes.
- Food lovers planning a Copenhagen trip around its restaurant scene.
- Winter visitors seeking a spa and pool after a day of sightseeing.
