Copenhagen. For most people, Carlsberg is synonymous with a cold beer in a dark green bottle. For the Danes, beyond beer production, the name is associated with architecture, art, culture and inventions.
In Carlsberg Byen, between the Elephant Gate and the Dipylon Gate, on the land that once housed the largest brewery in Danish history, an imposing red brick building attracts the attention of passers-by. Inaugurated in 1881, this emblematic building belonged to the old Carlsberg brewery.
Carl Christian Hillman Jacobsen (March 2, 1842 – January 11, 1914) was a Danish brewer, art collector and philanthropist. He initially worked for his father, but due to conflicts between them, he founded his own brewery: Valby Brewery, later Ny Carlsberg (New Carlsberg). Gammel Carlsberg (Old Carlsberg), the brewery owned by his father, remained with the Carlsberg Foundation (Carlsbergfondet) after the old man’s death, and in 1906 the two Carlsberg breweries merged, with Carl Jacobsen becoming CEO of Carlsberg. A shrewd and visionary businessman, he transformed the local brewery into a renowned one: who hasn’t heard of Carlsberg? The hotel’s name comes from Jacobsen’s wife, Ottilia, the daughter of Danish grain merchant Lorents Konrad Carl Stegmann.
When the malt warehouses were decommissioned, the site was put to multiple uses: it was used for filming and advertising campaigns, and the attic was a gym for a while.
Defying time, the building came to house a charming boutique hotel: Hotel Ottilia, and in the basement an amazing SPA centre: the ancient AIRE baths. A daring approach in a place whose walls are bursting with history.
Beyond the façade, a unique interior: industrial look, with rough concrete walls in places and exposed steel structures. Far from being a cold space. On the contrary: warm and welcoming, thanks to the spectacular lighting and the personalized design.
The hotel’s reception and shop/bar are located on the first floor. There is also a generous relaxation area here, with soft armchairs and comfortable chairs. Ideal after a day of walking or cycling around the city.
The hotel has 150 rooms and suites, many common areas to spend time in and conference facilities.
A personalized light installation rises from the bottom of the bar to the top of the ceiling, representing the spine and powerful figure of Ottilia, after whom the hotel is named.
The rooms are high, quite spacious, and minimally furnished. Everything is familiar, not at all formal. Delicate fabrics: fine linen and linen. Mattresses, pillows and duvets are just right for a good night’s sleep.
The bathroom open to the room has an industrial look, having more of a kitchen look, but the earth colours balance the use of metal. Interesting design.
What can I say about the porthole window?! It made all the money.
‘Good morning. It’s organic!’ With this message, we started our days at Hotel Ottilia. We are friends with breakfast, so most of the time we meet first thing in the morning.
A restless prosecco was hopping out of bed of ice because of the bubbles, while next to it sat quietly bottles full of fresh juices and smoothies. A little further away, very good coffee, organic of course.
A buffet breakfast that lacked nothing to be perfect, kicked off successful days in Copenhagen.
We were unable to enjoy the 360-degree view of the city, as the restaurant where breakfast is normally served is under renovation (early 2024) (if you find it open when you arrive, let me know in a comment at the end of the article)
Other facilities? Wine hour. White or red. Free, every day between 5 pm and 6 pm. And NightCap Hour: alcoholic drinks for all guests, from 10 pm to 11 pm.
Carlsberg City District is a new neighbourhood built around four core values: respect for production, interest in science, passion for art and openness to new cultures. It is not a project, an area, a building or a vision, but it is a space in which you live, go down, go out, shop, walk, relax, work and develop. That’s what the people in the neighbourhood like to say. And that’s how we perceived the place: full of life, with shops, parks, bike paths, narrow streets and playgrounds. We also saw the tops of 2 cranes, as the area is under development. But what makes the place so special? The history, the buildings and the cultural heritage are linked to the past of the brewery. In 2009, the Danish architectural firm Entasis won the world’s largest international architecture award for the Best Masterplan in the World for developing a neighbourhood around an old brewery.
Distance to transportation: the central train station is a 20-minute walk away, but the Enghave metro station is less than 5 minutes away.
Attractions nearby: Zoo – 15 minutes walk from the hotel, Tivoli Gardens – 30 minutes.
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