Copenhagen

When it comes to hotels, the design-focused Danish capital has it all, from glamorous five-stars to futuristic pod hotels and eco-conscious urban hangouts in the heart of the action.

- By Sarah Marshall. Photographs Line Klein and AWL Images

It could be a trick of the soft Scandi light, but everything in Copenhagen seems blessed with good looks. Immaculate royal palaces have dodged the ravages of time, while modern pieces of architecture are daring to the extreme. The accommodation is no exception either, with many of the city's best hotels much more than just somewhere to sleep. Bringing the past bang up to date, recent openings include a converted Carlsberg malt house and a century-old post office. Newer builds are equally head-turning — if only because of the remarkably affordable rates. Defying Copenhagen's pricey reputation, a new raft of fun, quirky hostels has popped up in the past few years, too, from stackable cabins to indoor tents. There's also been a shift towards more sustainable stays, with efficient, water-saving shower systems, vegan menus and eco-materials all part of the city's drive to become carbon-neutral by 2025.

Best for nostalgics

NIMB

Bright, brash and irresistibly different, one of the city's most iconic properties has kept visitors spellbound for more than a century. A Moorish-style palace illuminated by thousands of bulbs, Nimb blends perfectly into the fantasy fairground of Tivoli Gardens.

Originally opened as a restaurant in 1909, it's always been a family business and the focus on fine food remains strong. Thirtyeight suites are divided between the original building and a modern wing; older rooms have fireplaces, bathtubs and quirky artefacts, while later additions benefit from a vast terrace.

Indulge in afternoon teas served beneath glittering chandeliers, or spring forward several decades in the high-tech wellness centre, kitted out with a wave simulator in the pool and a hypoxic chamber for cross-fit training sessions.

ROOMS: DKK 2,902 (£332). nimb.dk

Best for style-seekers