The shiniest new gem of Copenhagen's hospitality crown, 25hours Hotel Paper Island is a whimsical sanctuary like no other, with the invitation to ‘come as you are’. We step inside to find out what all the fuss is about
The storied history of Copenhagen is a point of national and Scandinavian pride. There’s the medieval maritime area of Gammel Strand, the Rococo details throughout Amalienborg Palace, and cobblestone streets like Magstræde lined with some of the city’s oldest civic buildings. Look further to the harbour at the heart of Copenhagen and you find Christiansholm Island (also known as Paper Island), with its own history spanning over three centuries and a myriad of uses: from shipyards and wartime hospitals to cannon storage and paper warehouses. Over the years, it's evolved from a secluded industrial site into a dynamic cultural environment and it’s the latter – a paper warehouse – that now houses the newly-opened 25hours Hotel Paper Island: the Danish capital’s buzziest new hub.
When staying at 25hours Hotel Paper Island, you’re truly in the heart of Copenhagen, directly connected to the city centre via a pedestrian and cycle bridge, just steps from the Royal Opera House and Nyhavn. But you wouldn’t know it. Positioned on the quieter side of the harbour, visitors are offered a serene escape from urban clamour. The feeling of retreat resonates in the surroundings, as envisioned by COBE Architects and award-winning Gothenburg-based design team Stylt Trampoli to capture the idyllic, nautical-tinged feeling of a Nordic summer hideaway.
The reception space is decorated with nods to Copenhagen's maritime history. Photo: Erik Nissen Johansen
One of the spacious rooms at 25hours Paper Island Hotel. Photo: Stephan Lemke
From the moment guests step foot in the lobby, they are greeted by a symphony of maritime motifs and natural hues, evoking the beauty of the northern seas. Weathered wood and reclaimed materials whisper tales of voyages past, while an eclectic mix of antique and flea market finds radiate a cosy charm with whimsical details to uncover at every turn.
Picture stepping off a boat onto the docks of Copenhagen, greeted by the warmth of Danish hospitality. That’s the feeling we’ve captured here.
Anneli Soumalainen, project manager at Stylt Trampoli
The laid-back summerhouse essence is present across all of the hotel’s 128 rooms, but each with its own unique visual expression. “We’ve woven a tale of comfort and innovation,” says Anneli Soumalainen, project manager at Stylt Trampoli. “Step into the lobby where the spirit of adventure beckons. Rustic metals and brick floors evoke the nostalgia of a bustling harbour, setting the stage for an unforgettable stay,” she says. “Picture stepping off a boat onto the docks of Copenhagen, greeted by the warmth of Danish hospitality. That’s the feeling we’ve captured here.”
The whimsical lobby is filled with an eclectic mix of antique and flea market finds. Photo: Erik Nissen Johansen
If the 25hours name is familiar, it’s because Hotel Paper Island joins an acclaimed portfolio of sites across all the ‘cool cities’ of Europe and Asia – including the beloved 25hours Hotel Indre By which opened in Copenhagen in 2022. While the sister property caters to a bustling pulse of business travellers, Hotel Paper Island instead beckons those seeking respite as a quieter, more leisurely escape. “The 25hours Hotel Indre By stands out as a hyper-central tourist-friendly hub. In contrast, our vision for the 25hours Hotel Paper Island is to create a tranquil retreat on the quieter side of the harbour,” explains Bruno Marti, executive vice president of brand marketing. “With less traffic and more residential surroundings, we aim to attract leisure guests seeking a serene escape. But we’re also a democratic hotel - and we are open to everybody that is open to us,” he says.
25hours Paper Island Hotel's Asian concept eatery Tiger Lily. Photo: Erik Nissen Johansen
Each of the hotel's 128 rooms evokes a Scandinavian summerhouse, but each with its own unique visual expression. Photo: Stephan Lemke
It’s this commitment to democratic hospitality that ensures 25hours Hotel Paper Island is as welcoming in practice as it is in design. With its ethos and motto of ‘come as you are’, this is a venue that will have you taking a deep exhale on arrival. Once you’re in the relaxed mode that is the guests’ modus operandi, you’ll be ready to explore the curated mix of dining available on-site. A culinary adventure courtesy of Asian concept eatery Tiger Lily awaits, with dishes infused with vibrant flavours – think pulled noodles with lamb and pork belly salads. Meanwhile, the Nomad Day Bar, an extension of the hotel’s lobby, is a gathering point for guests with a terrace overlooking the tranquil quay. The breakfast menu, complemented by artisanal coffee specialties, gives way to all-day snacks, before aperitifs and wines are served up for watching the setting sun.
Soumalainen puts it best: “It’s about making memories that linger long after checkout.” And Vogue Scandinavia’s memory of 25hours Paper Island Hotel will have us checking back in as soon as possible.