Hotel Review: Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, a Member of Design Hotels™
When I was introduced to the Nobis brand for the first time in Stockholm, Sweden, I couldn’t wait to try out another Nobis property. I recently had an opportunity to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, and I was thrilled to discover another Nobis hotel in Copenhagen—Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, a Member of Design Hotels™. The hotel is a 1903 neoclassical building, initially designed by Danish architect Martin Borch. As one of the first concrete buildings in Copenhagen, it housed the Royal Danish Academy of Music before it was transformed into a hotel under the leadership of Swedish architectural firm—Wingärdhs. My experience at the hotel was pleasant, and the Danish design and hospitality truly made me fall in love with the Nobis brand once again. Here’s my review of Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, a Member of Design Hotels™:
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen is located at Niels Brocks Gade 1, 1574 København, Denmark.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first six months from account opening. On top of that, you can earn additional 50,000 bonus points by staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels through January 31, 2024—totaling 125,000 bonus points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 125,000 points offer worth $1,000. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen stands across from Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, which features an impressive collection of Danish art and sculptures from around the world, including Roman and Egyptian artifacts. Tivoli Gardens is also steps away from the hotel, and plenty of other attractions, such as Nationalmuseet and the Danish Design Center, are nearby as well. The Central Copenhagen Station is only five minutes on foot, making it a convenient option for anyone coming from Copenhagen airport.
Lobby & Check-In Review
A line of free bicycles was parked in front of the hotel entrance. Copenhagen is a city designed with bicycle transit in mind, and by renting one free of charge when staying at the hotel, guests could enjoy an excellent opportunity to conveniently explore Copenhagen’s attractions.
Copenhagen's well-designed infrastructure accommodates cyclists of all kinds, ensuring a seamless biking experience for everyone.
As I grappled with my luggage, attempting to navigate the stairs of the hotel's main entrance, a front desk manager hurried out to lend me a helping hand. The lobby was adorned with subtle Christmas decor.
The lobby has preserved its ornate design since its establishment over a century ago.
While the indoor seating in the lobby was limited, the outdoor terrace offered a generous number of tables and chairs. Since I visited the hotel in the winter, it was a shame that I couldn’t use them to work or lounge.
The terrace floor's windows served as ceiling skylight windows, illuminating the hotel's restaurant and bar with natural light.
I approached the check-in desk, a unique blend of abstract design and sturdy concrete. With delight, I discovered that I could check in early. Not only that, but I was also fortunate enough to be upgraded to a charming junior suite.
The hotels within the Member of Design Hotels™ portfolio exhibit alluring interior design aesthetics that always fascinates me.
The front desk representative graciously took the time to explain the plethora of enticing hotel amenities, concluding with a kind gesture of offering a complimentary breakfast to acknowledge my valued Titanium Elite status. After receiving my card keys, I went up to the second floor, where my junior suite was located.
Bedroom Review
The front desk representative carried my luggage to my room, and shortly after, a kitchen staff presented a small platter of delicate chocolate bites and a glass of champagne, along with a handwritten letter from the front house manager.
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen welcomed me with artisanal chocolates and a refreshing glass of champagne.
I appreciated the hotel’s thoughtful gestures and message very much, and it was a great start to my day. After enjoying tasty treats, I immersed myself in the gorgeous junior suite. The bedroom was breathtaking, adorned with soaring 15-foot-high ceilings and an exquisite canopy bed, perfectly accentuating the room's grandeur and spaciousness.
The contemporary canopy bed effortlessly complemented the spacious room without causing any sense of congestiong, thanks to its high ceilings.
The mattress was by DUX, a Swedish mattress maker synonymous with exceptional quality. I am a big fan of its mattress, and it comes as no surprise that I enjoyed an unbelievably comfortable rest. The steel headboard was essentially integrated with the canopy bed frame and supplemented with a long black leather pad that hung over the headboard. While the hotel may not plan on changing the color of the pad, if it were to get damaged or dirty, it could be easily replaced.
The nightstand was cluttered with various stationary items and a corded phone, leaving little room to spare.
The reading light exemplified the essence of brilliant Nordic design, ingeniously serving as both a wall light and ceiling illuminator. Its multifunctional nature showcased the brilliance and purpose underlying the concept. On either side of the bed, there were master light switches, although the buttons lacked labels. Consequently, I resorted to a process of trial and error to figure them out. Resting on one of the nightstands was a Marshall Bluetooth speaker; with its exceptional sound quality, it was a great companion to play background music when I got ready in the morning.
The Marshall speaker not only looked handsome but also delivered exceptional sound quality, especially with its deep and resonant bass.
A standard TV was diagonally mounted on the wall, showcasing interactive digital pages for nearby restaurants and shopping destinations.
The wall-mounted TV could be angled diagonally towards the bed, allowing guests to conveniently watch the TV from the bed.
The hotel effectively reduced paper waste by presenting its rich history digitally. I had a similar experience when I visited Hotel St. George in Helsinki, Finland, where they also embraced the same environmental concept.
The hotel kindly offered details about the nearby attractions in a digital format, enhancing convenience and accessibility for guests.
The bedroom had plush lounge chairs and metal coffee tables, and the leather chairs featured deep seats with broken-in leather, offering comfort every time I sat on the chair.
These leather lounge chairs were deep and plush, providing the utmost comfort every time.
Across from the bed was a work desk with a unique leather top and housed a fully-stocked mini fridge in the bottom compartment.
Carlsberg is the most famous Danish beer brand on the Danish market; visit the Carlsberg City District when you are in Copenhagen!
While it offered complimentary bottles of still and sparkling water, it's worth noting that Denmark has one of the cleanest drinkable tap water in the world, so feel free to utilize one of the cups by the window sill to grab water from the bathroom.
Denmark has one of the purest tap waters in the world, so there is no need to pay for bottled water.
Thanks to the spacious desk, there was enough space for an espresso machine by Lazavva.
Decaf espresso pods were available for anyone sensitive to caffeine.
An arched wardrobe occupied the remaining bedroom space with integrated lighting strips, making it easier to see the inside when dark.
The furniture in my suite has been crafted using abundant natural materials.
Compared to the suite at Nobis Hotel Stockholm, the bedroom at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen was more minimalistic but still remained functional. The modern canopy bed further emphasized the suite’s lofty ceilings, and I had a good night’s sleep on the Dux mattress. In Nordic design, there is no compromise in quality, and it was evident with exceptionally crafted furniture in the bedroom. I also appreciated that the suite faced a quiet corner of the neighborhood.
From my suite, I had a clear view of Glyptoteket, which houses the private art collection of Carl Jacobsen, the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries.
The bedroom at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen was simplistic yet meaningfully designed, and that’s why I love a Member of Design Hotels™ properties.
Bathroom Review
The bathroom configuration was interesting. While there were two bathrooms, only the half bath near the room entrance was equipped with a toilet. The half bath featured a single sink vanity but unfortunately lacked a bidet alongside the floating toilet.
Although there were two bathrooms available, only the half bathroom was equipped with a toilet.
Nevertheless, I found the minimalist marble finish on the walls and flooring to be particularly striking, and it was especially accentuated to a great extent in the master bathroom.
Both bathrooms were adorned with stunning gray marble finishes throughout.
The master bathroom showcased even higher ceilings than any other part of the suite. I would confidently estimate its height at 20 feet, and the setting was simply stunning with exquisite gray marble finishes all over the bathroom.
The ceiling of the master bathroom soared above every other area of the suite, accentuating its grandeur.
The master bathroom featured a sleek vanity with a single sink, accompanied by luxurious toiletries from Byredo—a Swedish perfume brand.
The bath and hand towels had small hanging loops at the end, making it easy to hang them after use.
The scent, Bal D'afrique, was actually the same product I encountered at Nobis Hotel Stockholm. I’m a big fan of Byredo's philosophy—translating memories and emotions into products and experiences. Of course, the toiletries came in communal bottles because the hotel was conscious of its effort to sustainability.
I fell in love with Byredo for its genuine brand philosophy and sophisticated take on classic fragrances.
The bathroom boasted a soaking tub and a walk-in shower, and the clear glass barrier of the shower beautifully showcased the alluring marble finishes on the walls, adding to the overall charm of the space. The shower was equipped with a rainfall shower head and a convenient handheld option.
I immediately fell in love with the sleek and minimalist design of the walk-in shower.
I was slightly worried that the water would splatter everywhere on the bathroom floor due to the strong water pressure, but the glass barrier effectively ensured a mess-free experience every time I showered. The soaking tub provided ample room for a single adult, and the hotel supplied complimentary aromatic bath bombs.
The master bath also presented a tranquil escape with its inviting soaking tub.
I couldn’t pinpoint its fragrance profiles, but I thoroughly enjoyed its predominant floral essence and moisturizing elements.
Not only did these bath bombs moisturize my skin, but they also filled the entire bathroom with delightful floral fragrances.
One of my favorite features of the master bathroom was a heated towel rack. I had first encountered it at Domaine de Manville in France. Copenhagen’s winter was dreadfully cold, and wrapping my body in a warm towel after a shower or bath was heavenly. Moreover, the towels had small hanging loops at the end, making it easy to hang them after use. The bathroom hit it out of the park with its gorgeous design and functionality. The hotel certainly took advantage of its lofty ceilings to a maximum level, and the gray marble on the walls and flooring was simply outstanding. I genuinely adored the minimalistic and picturesque aesthetics of the master bathroom.
Bar Review—The Marble Bar
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen housed a small bar on the ground floor called The Marble Bar. It partially shared its space with the hotel’s in-house restaurant, NOI.
The ceiling skylight provided an extra source of natural light during daylight hours.
The bar was open daily from 4 PM to 12 AM, and while you can go all out with its caviar and champagne tasting menu, I stopped by for a quick pre-dinner cocktail at night. Soft jazz and pop music played wafted through the air, and dimmed lighting set an intimate ambiance.
True its name, the Marble Bar elegantly showcased a bar countertop crafted from handsome black marble.
The bar was quite empty, and I ordered one of the bar’s signature cocktails, Fig Brûlee Sour, which was The Marble Bar’s take on Whiskey Sour. The drink was significantly sweeter than a typical Whiskey Sour, in my opinion.
Although my cocktail turned out a tad sweeter than anticipated, it served as a lovely pre-dinner libation.
The bar adopted an environmentally conscious approach by using a sustainable bamboo straw. However, the straw, unfortunately, had a crack in the middle, making it challenging to sip on the drink.
The drinks at the Marble Bar are not cheap, but it’s definitely a convenient spot for hotel guests.
The cocktail was decent, but I personally enjoyed the quiet and laid-back nightly ambiance of the bar more. If you need an intimate night out with your partner or want to grab a nightcap, The Marble Bar on the ground floor would be a convenient stopover.
Gym & Spa Review
The gym and sauna were conveniently located on the ground floor, at the opposite end of The Marble Bar. They shared a common area, where guests could grab an extra bathrobe, hydrate with water, or even take a piece of fruit on the way out.
Ensure you stay properly hydrated and change into a new bathrobe as you depart from the spa.
I used the gym first to exercise, and while the gym was compact and small, exposed vents and thick wood panels facilitated a more dynamic and industrial vibe to the space. There were only three pieces of cardio equipment by LifeFitness—a stationary bike, an elliptical, and a treadmill.
The cardio equipment was positioned closely together, and it wasn’t ideal when sharing the gym with other guests.
They were older generation models, and although the gym was not occupied by another guest during my visit, the close proximity of the equipment would have made me uncomfortable if someone else had been using them. The free weight section offered a range of dumbbells up to 20kg or 33 lbs, along with a few medicine balls to enhance your lifting routine.
These dumbbells were the sole equipment available for weightlifting.
Due to limited space, the gym allocated only one adjustable bench for strength exercises, ensuring optimal utilization of the available area. Just when I thought the gym couldn’t fit more equipment, I spotted Core Momentum Trainers and Bulgarian shoulder bags by window sills.
Unfortunately, the gym lacked the necessary space to accommodate full-body exercises.
I was appreciative of the hotel’s effort to include various exercise gadgets for full-body exercises, but the fact of the matter was that the gym practically had no room to engage in such workouts. It would be fabulous to convert one of the meeting rooms on the same floor into a dedicated room for bodyweight exercises, but I set my hope aside and moved on to the adjacent spa. I was truly impressed by the stunning marble finish in the master bathroom, but it was the spa that elevated the aesthetics to another level. The spa was a sight to behold, with a captivating gray marble finish that extended from the floor to the ceiling.
The spa was absolutely stunning, with gray marble enveloping the entire space.
Every element, apart from the glass doors for the sauna and showers, boasted the elegance of marble. It was truly captivating to gaze upon and left me in awe. The spa featured two individual shower booths with Byredo toiletry products, and they were as opulent as the shower in my suite.
The showers in the spa also offered fragrant Byredo products with the same Bal D'afrique scent.
Sandwiched between the showers, the sauna was spacious enough to fit over ten people at once. It was a dry sauna, it took about 20 minutes for the sauna to ramp up to its peak temperature, so I recommend activating the sauna as soon as you arrive at the spa.
If you want to use the sauna, turn it on when you arrive since it takes some time to reach the peak temperature.
Once the heat kicked in, it was reinvigorating to sweat out all the toxins from my body. If you want something milder, you can relax on the hot stone marble hammam piece in the center of the spa.
Experience a ritualistic and relaxing hammam bath at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen.
After rejuvenating in the sauna, I went straight into the ice dip. Unlike the one I used at Hotel St. George in Helsinki, the ice dip at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen felt more ritualistic, as I slowly walked into the gently illuminated icy cold pool.
I appreciated having gradual steps that allowed my body to acclimate to the freezing water temperature.
The cold water instantly cooled my body down, and I repeated the process a few more times before heading back to my room. Overall, the gym carried essential equipment, and I could sense the hotel’s desire to expand its workout offerings. However, the limited space couldn’t accommodate additional equipment, especially the ones geared toward bodyweight exercises. On the other hand, the spa was sumptuously adorned in exquisite gray marble, and its serene and peaceful atmosphere would inspire a zen moment with anyone stepping into the space. If you are staying at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, I highly recommend spending time at the spa to elevate your wellness game.
Breakfast Review—Restaurant NOI
The breakfast was served at Restaurant NOI on the ground floor, and it was complimentary with my Titanium Elite status. Although the restaurant did have outdoor seating, I opted for the indoor area since it was -5°C outside when I visited.
The outdoor seating would be delightful on warmer days in Copenhagen.
Since I had an early afternoon flight to catch, I wasted no time and headed straight to Restaurant NOI as soon as I woke up. Compared to the evening hours, the restaurant was uplifting with light jazz music and a brighter environment.
The dining area in the morning was warm and inviting, bathed in abundant natural light.
I started my morning with a juice shot made with sea buckthorns, ginger, turmeric, and lemon and ordered a cup of cappuccino for my morning dose of caffeine.
I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast experience at NOI, with only a slight room for improvement.
Classic breakfast items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, and breakfast sausages were neatly arranged on warming trays. Among these choices, my personal favorite was the sausage. I simply couldn’t get enough of its slightly smokey flavorful notes.
The breakfast sausages were bursting with a delicious smoky flavor that made me keep coming back to them.
From the meat and cheese station, I paired various cold cuts of meat with the Danbo cheese. While the breakfast buffet offered a generous selection of meat and cheese, there were minimal options for fresh vegetables.
Danbo is a national cheese of Denmark and is especially popular for breakfast.
For the size of the buffet, the choices were up to par, but I wish the restaurant had more savory condiments like capers. As imagined, the restaurant offered an extensive array of condiments for homemade muesli, and I especially savored dried fruit toppings.
Scandinavian breakfast takes muesli seriously, and NOI was no exception.
When it comes to fruits, pears and bananas were popular among the guests in a rush. I indulged in pre-sliced pineapples and honeydew melons, both juicy and ripe.
If you don’t have time to enjoy pre-cut fruits, grab a banana or pear on your way out.
However, I craved something sweeter, so I moved on to pastries. Regrettably, they turned out to be the biggest letdown. I found myself questioning whether they were made in-house, as their quality did not represent the freshness that I typically associate with freshly baked pastries.
Several pastries lacked excitement due to being stale and greasy, but I hope it was merely a batch of baked goods that didn't turn out well.
I tried raspberry and praline-walnut pastries, and both were somewhat greasy and tasted stale. Hopefully, the ones I sampled were from a bad batch because I’ve generally had spectacular experiences with Danish baked goods. Though the quality of the pastries was slightly below my expectation, my overall breakfast experience at Restaurant NOI was satisfactory. I wish the buffet featured more traditional Danish breakfast items, but if you have Platinum Elite status or higher, you should stop by for a complimentary European breakfast.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The spa exuded an unmatched level of elegance and luxury. Its stunning gray marble flooring, walls, and ceilings created a seamless symphony of opulence. The hot stone marble hammam piece in the center of the spa evoked a zen moment, and guests can fully indulge in a Finnish sauna experience with the dry sauna and invigorating icy cold bath.
Just like other hotels in the Design Hotels™ portfolio, the suite’s aesthetics was on point; it perfectly captured the essence of practical and natural Scandinavian design. Among all the features, the master bathroom stood out as my absolute favorite. The expansive marble wall resembled a work of art, while the spacious soaking tub provided a dreamy way to unwind after a long day.
The staff at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen was courteous and provided an exceptional level of hospitality. I was greeted with a smile every time I passed by the front desk, and the handwritten card from the front house manager and the delicious welcome amenity elevated my lodging experience from the start.
Negatives
Although the spa was both gorgeous and practical, I couldn't help but notice that the fitness center fell short in terms of size and equipment variety. It seemed as though the gym emphasized comprehensive workouts utilizing items such as medicine balls and Bulgarian shoulder bags, but it, unfortunately, lacked ample space for unrestricted exercise.
Summary
Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, a Member of Design Hotels™, was a fantastic hotel located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. Its strategic location is perfect for tourists looking to explore Copenhagen, and guests can take advantage of complimentary bicycle rentals. As much as I’d like to share amazing things to do in the City of Spires, once you are at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen, its wonderful amenities may entice you to stay inside the hotel. Upon entering my suite, I was immediately welcomed with Danish hospitality and functional yet gorgeous Scandinavian interior design. The master bathroom was truly extraordinary with soaring ceilings and luxurious gray marble walls. Nonetheless, I realized it was the tip of the iceberg because when I entered the spa, its serene and lush ambiance instantly captured my heart. Guests could fully pamper themselves, unwind, and rejuvenate. After feeling rested from the spa, enjoy a craft cocktail at the Marble Bar and pair it with its sophisticated yet laid-back atmosphere. If you are in Copenhagen looking for a wellness-focused hotel with remarkable Scandinavian design, I highly recommend staying at Nobis Hotel Copenhagen.
