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Review: Hotel Kong Arthur, Copenhagen

Raman Kumar Raman Kumar
Nikki Wallman searches for that elusive beast: a reasonably priced, stylish and spacious boutique hotel room in Europe.

European hotel rooms

Searching for a fantastic boutique hotel room in Europe is kind of like deciding to date that dangerous, unpredictable, impossibly handsome man you discovered through an online dating site.

 

Sure, it’s a tantalising prospect. Maybe you’ll get lucky – maybe he’ll be perfect.

 

Regardless, you’ll see something different, have some adventures in the bedroom, experience a departure from the usual humdrum predictability (read: the local Best Western). But more often than not, it ends in tears.

 

He doesn’t look anywhere near as good as he did in his online profile. You end up dissatisfied and feeling thoroughly ripped off. My point? European hotel rooms can be totally unpredictable when it comes to the trifecta of being clean, comfortably sized and reasonably affordable.

 

And so it comes to pass that I warily check in at Copenhagen’s Hotel Kong Arthur.

Hotel Kong Arthur

I’m looking for something both cool and hygge (cosy) enough to live up to the Danes’ high standards in these fields. I’m also curious to see what a four-star, family-run hotel looks like in the world’s eighth most expensive city for tourists.

Hotel Kong Arthur, Copenhagen.
The exterior of Hotel Kong Arthur.

Housed in a building dating back to 1882, the Kong Arthur is nestled quietly down a cobblestoned lane off the main road of Nørre Søgade, which runs alongside the city’s gorgeous lakes.

Checking in

At check-in I’m handed a complimentary pass to the Asian-themed Ni’mat Spa, which will come in handy before my long-haul flight. My traveller’s shoulders immediately un-scrunch a little.

 

The lobby, an L-shaped space surrounding a pretty central courtyard, is particularly cosy at night, with softly glowing lamps and a bar proffering the “world’s best G&T" using Geranium gin made by Danish gin maestro Henrik Hammer (if it ain’t the best, it’s damn close).

 

With lots of couches, a gently crackling fireplace, a row of Danish shields lining one wall, and a real suit of armour standing near the bar, the area is cool, hygge and full of character – exactly what larger hotels tend to lack.

The room

Entering my room upstairs, I notice the sign hanging on my door. “Please do not disturb", it asks, before reeling off a list of reasons: ‘I am writing my blog.

 

I am contemplating how to make the world a better place. I turned off the light to save energy and fell asleep (the hotel is CO2-neutral). I am on Skype talking to my kids…’ I like a hotel that can make me chuckle.

 

During my research, I found the Kong Arthur offers Standard Single and Doubles, which appear to conform to Euro standards of teeny-tininess.

 

Opting for a Double Superior, I’m rewarded with a decidedly cat-swingable, white-ceilinged oasis of calm, punctuated by accents of sky blue and chocolate brown.

 

A montage of simple, chic paintings decorates one wall, which I admire as I flop onto the comfy couch near the telly.

 

The room strikes a good balance between homely and minimalist, with a few thoughtful touches like an ironing board neatly hidden behind the bathroom door, and a magazine rack stuffed with books and mags. The bed is insanely comfy.

 

The bathroom falls down a little for me. It’s fine – clean and a decent size – but plastic cups, a weird bin that’s essentially a plastic bag attached to a large metallic peg, and a cheap-looking shower curtain are all less than I’d expect of a four-star hotel.

Food and drinks

The largely organic breakfast is served in a pretty, terracotta-tiled atrium overlooking the courtyard and includes dense breads, yoghurt and fruit cups with honeyed almonds, cold cuts, cheese, pastries (Danishes, of course) and a few hot buffet items.

The picturesque courtyard at Hotel Kong Arthur in Copenhagen.
The picturesque courtyard at Hotel Kong Arthur.

At Cozy Hour (5–6pm) guests can gather for a drink and snack relating to the season (mulled wine and cookies for Christmas; beers on Super Bowl Sunday and so on).

 

I don’t have time to check out the three restaurants (Spanish, Japanese and Italian) but based on my first impressions, I wouldn’t hesitate to, should I return.

 

And I probably will – this place is definitely second-date material.

 

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Details

Hotel Kong Arthur

Nørre Søgade 11 DK-1370 Copenhagen K.

 

arthurhotels.dk

The IT Verdict

“This could be the start of a beautiful love affair with a reasonably priced, boutique hotel that delivers on value, comfort and that essential ‘Copenhagen cool’ factor."

 

  • Location 8.5/10 – Right on the beautiful Copenhagen lakes and within easy walking distance to many hotspots.
  • Style/character 8/10 – A great balance of the Danes’ trademark quirkiness and their elegant restraint.
  • Service 8/10 – The helpful front desk staff is eager to please.
  • Room 8.5/10 – Large, airy, comfy and cool: an urban oasis.
  • Food and drink 8/10 – Breakfast was plentiful, fresh and yummy. We’re keen to try the Japanese, Spanish and Italian also on offer next time.
  • Value for money 8.5/10 – The hotel offers great bang for your kroner in one of the world’s most expensive cities. The free spa pass was icing on the cake.
  • Cost – Nikki paid $302 for a Double Superior room.

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Raman Kumar

Raman Kumar

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
    Continue
    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.