PAUSE Visits: Imperial Hotel Copenhagen

A Reliable CPH Base.

Everybody’s metrics for rating what makes a hotel simply up to par and what puts it above and beyond the competition are different, but there are some fundamentals that really can’t be ignored. Doubling down on these essential foundations, Imperial Hotel Copenhagen is, simply put, an unbeatable base for exploring Copenhagen.

A city defined by its fresh Nordic air, beautiful winding waterways, modern architecture, and, of course, its cyclists, Copenhagen is a destination that has to be seen to be believed. Mirroring this rather specific beauty, Imperial Hotel makes sure to find some individuality in and amongst the plethora of hotels that Copenhagen has to offer, having undergone significant redesign in the last few years. Designed and run under the umbrella of Arp-Hansen Hotel Group, Imperial Hotel is built into the foundations of Copenhagen’s hospitality scene, having been formed in 1960 by master builder Alf Arp-Hansen. Now deemed Copenhagen’s largest hotel chain, Arp-Hansen Hotel Group continue to push for more, adding to its extensive roster – which includes locations in CPH’s prestigious City Hall Square and Havnegade – with Imperial Hotel. Believing that strength lies in diversity, Imperial Hotel embraces a one-of-one aesthetic whilst covering almost every base, from being located right next to Vesterport Station and the iconic Palads cinema to boasting an entire floor inspired by the 1950s retro-look made famous by the popular Mad Men (2007) television series, the space meets you with a budget-friendly approach whilst offering up an authentic taste of Copenhagen, as well as a distinct attention to characterful detail.

Whatever your reason for heading to Copenhagen, you can’t go amiss with Imperial Hotel, a hotspot that blends stylish design, central location and affordable room rates with a “to-the-point” set-up.

Get a more in-depth look at Imperial Hotel Copenhagen below, including a summative round-up of the food, location, and accommodation.

PHOTO CREDIT: Imperial Hotel

Accommodation

Newly renovated in 2025, Imperial Hotel’s approach to its accommodation is one that prioritises calm. From the warming neutral green, beige, and grey tones to the rich leather headboards and the stretching floor-to-ceiling windows, each part of Imperial Hotel’s specially-curated rooms makes sure to put a sense of serenity above all else. Whilst we all want to get out and see the city we’ve come across the globe to explore, a trusty hotel room like this is an integral part of the experience. Whether you find yourself in the Standard, Twin, Superior, Executive King, Junior Suite, or even the Apartment, Imperial Hotel has a level of excellence that refuses to fall below its esteemed level. Cemented in the history of Copenhagen’s hospitality industry, there’s a reason why this hotspot has stood the test of time since its formation in 1958, with the space boasting over 304 rooms. A true hub of activity, Imperial Hotel struck a fine balance during our stay, fusing new and improved aspects of the hotel into the space’s core DNA without compromising the parts of it that made it so popular in the first place. Each room comes equipped with the amenities you’d come to expect from a modern-day hotel, but there’s just this “fresh” feeling you get walking around, all thanks to that new renovation. Some of our favourite features included the picture perfect balcony, floor-to-ceiling curtains, the Netflix-ready TV area, as well as the rich wooden floors, mixing a distinctly luxe hotel stay with a dash of “home away from home.”

For whatever length of time your stay in Copenhagen is, Imperial Hotel definitely has the answer. Need two adjoining rooms? That’s easy. A fully functional kitchen? Just ask for the Imperial Hotel Apartment. One nighter? The Standard does the job. In essence, the accommodation at Imperial Hotel Copenhagen refuses to miss a beat. Great stuff.

Food

“Eating good” is a saying thrown around a lot nowadays, but Imperial Hotel have you doing just that, pretty much all day, every day. Starting off with a killer, and very extensive, breakfast, a buffet literally lays everything out on the table. From fresh crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and beans to pancakes, fresh fruit, granola, cheese, and more, Imperial Hotel’s range of breakfast items meant this buffet felt firmly made to order. We stayed for a total of five nights, and it felt like there was something new every morning. For all you health food fanatics out there, the plethora of available plates also catered to the less indulgent holidaymakers, keeping you on track with your health journey. Dried fruits, ginger detox shots, fresh juice, light pastries, and varied styles of bread rubber-stamped this spot as having the jack-of-all-trades breakfast.

If you fancy staying at the hotel for the evening, Italian restaurant ‘Ristorante L’Appetito’ is located right at the front of the hotel lobby, providing a reliable, chic, and authentic experience that puts forward a welcome switch up from the Scandinavian cuisine throughout the city. Providing a tasty and elegant meal, Ristorante L’Appetito pairs together dishes and specialities that are faithfully based on traditional Italian cuisine and traditions with classic Italian wines, sinking you further into an atmosphere characterised by soft lights, earth-tone colours, and Italian-style art.

Location

You could drop us anywhere in Copenhagen and we’d probably like it, but the areas surrounding Imperial Hotel are especially good. The pull of being slap bang in the middle of everything is tempting, and so is being just left of centre…but, why can’t we have both? Providing an oasis of calm and being within touching distance of all the sights, Imperial Hotel passes the location test with flying colours. Situated right across from Vesterport train station, ease is the word, making sure that nowhere in CPH is off limits, no matter how far you want to go. The grounds are set up right next to the revered Tivoli Gardens and just a few steps away from the idyllic lakes as well as the New Theatre, a place where you can experience a host of artistic performances. As previously mentioned, the renowned Palads Cinema is just a stone’s throw from Imperial Hotel, whilst exciting neighbouring neighbourhoods – such as Vesterbro and Frederiksberg – are also close by. From local bakeries, Michelin-star restaurants, the all important thrift shops, and top tier bars to fashion boutiques, green parks, and one-of-one museums, the question isn’t whether there’s enough to do, it’s if you’ll have the time to do it.

PAUSE Rates:

5/5 ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑

“Comfort personified. Imperial Hotel Copenhagen kept it classic, underling why they have stood the test of time. The location really couldn’t have been any better, and we think this might just be the best value for money stay you can have in Copenhagen. Efficiency and hospitality know-how? Rock solid. Stay here to experience CPH in all its glory.”

Thomas Woods (Social & Online Content Editor of PAUSE Magazine)