Is this Wes Anderson-style hotel Copenhagen’s coolest stay?

The sustainably-minded Hotel Bella Grande is officially Copenhagen’s “it" hotel.

Copenhagen epitomises effortless cool, seamlessly blending a wealth of design stores, laidback fashion, outstanding food and an eco-conscious mindset. And the accommodation that ticks all the boxes? Hotel Bella Grande. Centrally located, this design-led accommodation celebrates Scandi meets Italian grandeur with lashings of colour and pattern that make it one of the city’s most distinctive stays.

I recently checked into the boutique hotel and found myself at the whim of its Wes Anderson-style charm. Here’s everything you need to know before booking a stay.

Location

the front exterior of Hotel Bella Grande — The stylish boutique hotel puts you in the heart of Copenhagen.

Hotel Bella Grande is nestled on a quiet street in Copenhagen’s Old Town. Steps from the City Hall Square, this area is lively yet safe, walkable and full of classic Danish charm. You’re placed within walking distance of popular sites such as the colourful buildings of Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, Rosenborg Castle, and the Strøget shopping district.

For those not cycling or looking to explore further afield, you’ll find Copenhagen’s train system easily navigable, and Rådhuspladsen train station is also steps away.

Style and character

the living room interior of Hotel Bella Grande — Timeless charm meets modern elegance.

Directed by Cofoco, local interior architect and graphic design agency TONEN executed the transformation of a historic 1899 building into a charming Venetian palazzo that blends nostalgic romance with modern elegance. Guests are greeted by a pastel yellow facade elevated with curved awnings and the building’s original, delicately sculpted mouldings. Inside, the reception area echoes the concierge in Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel, with red-tasselled room keys displayed on the wall. The refreshed interiors hero a warm palette of pinks and creams complemented with bold geometric and floral patterns that add theatrical flair. Furniture blends mid-century Scandinavian simplicity with romantic Italian flourishes.

At the heart of the accommodation is a striking central atrium with a charming courtyard, encircled by guest rooms. This is Italian Palazzo style ramped up – climbing greenery, checkered terrazzo floors, and soft blush pink tones.

a look inside the lobby of Hotel Bella Grande — The lobby channels *The Grand Budapest Hotel*, with red-tasselled room keys displayed on the wall.

The designers spared no detail, even in the onsite gym, which features parquet flooring, forest green walls, and state-of-the-art equipment.

Cycling around the city is undeniably the most enjoyable way to get around and Hotel Bella Grande has bikes with baskets available to hire for 185 DKK per day.

Rooms

the suite interior at Hotel Bella Grande — Rooms take on a more subdued palette than public spaces.

109 rooms and suites range from the cosy single – a nice option in a luxury hotel – to the lavish suite with a private rooftop terrace. I stayed in a Superior Double, which struck a perfect balance between style and comfort and featured large, street-facing windows. I particularly liked the red and white tiled bathroom and the Scandi sleep method of bedding, which gives sleepers separate duvets. A steamer was another welcome addition.

It’s worth noting that 24 of the 109 rooms face the enclosed courtyard rather than the street, which can limit access to fresh air (there is ventilation) and increased noise.

Food & Drink

the restaurant Donna in Hotel Bella Grande — Enjoy classic Italian fare in the opulent red and pink-swathed dining space.

On-site restaurant Donna has become somewhat of a hotspot in Copenhagen, and for good reason. There are several areas to enjoy the restaurant’s classic Italian fare: the courtyard, the opulent red-and-pink swathed galley-style space, the sumptuous cocktail lounge and the alfresco space out front. Begin your feast with arancini and focaccia with whipped ricotta, followed by rigatoni alla vodka and deep-fried aubergine with tomato sauce, capers, basil and Parmesan. Finishing with tirismu is a must.

For ultimate summer vibes, I recommend sitting outside under one of the umbrellas and ordering a  Margherita with a Zola Spritz (or two).

Sustainability

a private rooftop terrace at Hotel Bella Grande — A slice of la dolce vita tucked into Copenhagen’s Old Town.

Sustainability is central to Hotel Bella Grande’s ethos. As part of Cofoco – a leading Danish hospitality group powering its 20 venues with a dedicated six-hectare solar farm – the hotel operates on 100 per cent renewable electricity from Cofoco’s solar park.

I did note the absence of air conditioning and in-room fridge; however, understanding the hotel’s commitment to environmental responsibility, these omissions make sense, further reinforcing their sustainable approach.

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Does Hotel Bella Grande have access for guests with disabilities?

The hotel entrance and bathrooms have a step, which makes this hotel unsuitable for guests with mobility impairments.

Is Hotel Bella Grande family-friendly?

facade of Hotel Bella Grande with many windows — TONEN transformed the historic building into a charming Venetian palazzo.

Hotel Bella Grande has family rooms, which feature a double bed and bunk beds in an adjoining room.

Details

Best for: Design-savvy travellers.

Address: Vester Voldgade 23, 1552 København V, Denmark

Rate: From 1.495 DKK per night.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.