Walking past Nimb Hotel, you’d be forgiven for bypassing it altogether.
Located across the street from Copenhagen’s Central Station, the entrance to this luxury property is distinctly un-hotel-like.
There is no grand awning to demarcate it from neighbouring buildings, or ornate flags to flaunt its five-star credentials.
There are no top hats, no bellhops and no flashy cars.
Just an off-white wall, engraved with a geometric pattern and cubed by a glass canopy. Above the latter, its four-letter name is written in brush-stroke font. Below, double doors melt into a panel of tinted windows.
This design is no accident.
Nimb Hotel Copenhagen, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, doesn’t want attention. Like an A-list celebrity wearing sunglasses and a cap, it actively downplays its star status – protecting itself from the masses, and preserving itself for a privileged few.
Once inside, it’s easy to see why.
Nimb’s modest entrance guards the hotel’s original building: a 1909 Moorish Revival palace hidden completely from street view.
An architectural marvel that feels otherworldly, its white onion domes and Venetian marble stucco whisk guests out of chilly Copenhagen and into the warmth of an Arabian fairytale.
The enchantment only continues with the landscape; Nimb borders Tivoli Gardens, with almost all of its 38 guest rooms offering prime views of the iconic amusement park.
As I’m guided to my Junior Suite on the second floor, I find myself feeling grateful for the understated curb appeal.
Nimb holds a secret so valuable it must be gate-kept – and it knows the best way to keep it is to put up no gates at all.
Rooms and suites
If Scandi minimalism and Baroque opulence had a baby, it would probably look like the 38 rooms and suites at Nimb. The hotel’s designers have mixed the two aesthetics to create an almost jarring originality – prompting a head tilt that quickly becomes an understanding nod.
The grandiosity is all in the furniture: think four-poster beds, latticed wooden mirrors and stools with plum tufting. These are pieces that could have belonged to an 18th century Danish aristocrat, their weight and finish almost intimidating in today’s plasticated world. Expensive is the adjective. Heirloom is the noun.
What isn’t 18th century, however, is the lack of visual clutter. Walls are painted a matte brown, hardwood floors are notably exposed, and pattern is reserved for decorative accents. The result is a calm space that feels clean and streamlined – a suite that’s easy on the (often jetlagged) eyes.
If you do want a more stimulating view, however, you’re not far. Almost all of the suites at Nimb overlook Tivoli Gardens, offering VIP vistas of the park’s blooms, rides and performances – as well as swathes of morning sunlight. Keep the French windows open to hear the City Hall’s chimes, which ring every 15 minutes, or shut tightly and enjoy some soundproof people watching.
The bathroom feels equally tranquil, with its ambient lighting and standalone tub creating a spa-like atmosphere. There’s also cleanser, body oil and hydra serum by organic Danish skincare brand, Honey, and a wooden case of every toiletry you could imagine – from dental kits and hairbands to lip balm and shaving cream.
Other special touches across the rooms include a pillow menu, embroidered on an actual pillow and offering choices of extra feather, foam, hypoallergenic, or pregnancy, and a gold jacketed heating pad (which comes at a surcharge).
Each room also comes with its own ‘Hyggebar’ – an elevated take on the standard hotel minibar. Stored in a gleaming cabinet is a complimentary selection of Scandinavian treats, from Swedish candy fish to Lakrids by Bulow liquorice. (We especially loved the kettle chips by Generation Snacks – try the truffle flavour if you’re feeling fancy.)
There’s also plenty of alcoholic beverages, including carafes of Johnnie Walker Black Label and Altamura Vodka, as well as a Sjöstrand coffee machine – which retails at a cool £350.
Dining
Since its 1909 opening, Nimb Brassiere has been a staunch champion of French gastronomy.
Its original owners, Wilhelm and Louise ‘Fru’ Nimb, travelled extensively around Europe during the 19th century, studying the cooking practices and local ingredients of Denmark’s continental neighbours.
It was during these trips that Fru fell in love with French cuisine – particularly its emphasis on tomatoes and garlic – and vowed to incorporate the country’s techniques into their Danish property.
A 1939 menu from Nimb Copenhagen reflects this culinary Erasmus, with mains of Lobster Cardinal and Chateaubriand listed alongside Crepe Suzette and almond flour tarte. There’s also a striking use of the French cooking methods, with Fru becoming the first person in Denmark to successfully serve rare-cooked fillet steak (saignant).
Nearly a century later, this homage prevails. Guests can expect French dishes aplenty, from steak au poivre to Basquaise omelette, as well as Danish favourites with a Francophile twist – like fjord shrimps with Espelette pepper and rhubarb parfait with a hibiscus consommé.
Garnishes are suitably generous; think browned bread sauce ladled over sole meunière and fleur de courgette oozing with souffle. If your stomach hasn’t split from the first two courses, try the Valrhona chocolate – served with guanaja mousse, Jivara cremeux and crispy cocoa nibs.
Though there are no vegan options on the menu, the chef was happy to adapt dishes – like the Vesterhavs cheese risotto – to create a plant-based alternative.
The space itself is bright and airy, offering views of Tivoli Gardens, including its open-air stages and historic rides. Ask for a table by the window, where if you’re lucky, you might spot one of the property’s three resident peacocks.
Spa and wellness
Tucked into its basement, Nimb’s spa feels like a mystical cave in the heart of Copenhagen.
Lights are dimmed and music is low, sending clients into a sedated state from the moment of arrival.
Treatments include full body massages and facials, as well as touchless procedures like infrared, plasma, and light therapy. Perhaps the most unique treatment, however, is the ‘Shine Special’ facial, a 105-minute session of ear cleansing, heat compression and high frequency.
Once the session is complete, guests are escorted into the relaxation lounge, where they’ll be served a hydration platter of fresh water, herbal tea, dates, and a ginger shot.
Afterwards, they’re welcome to unwind further in the Moroccan hammam or simply enjoy the complimentary travel magazines and nature-inspired soundscapes. Fitness buffs, meanwhile, will be right at home in Nimb’s state-of-the-art gym – complete with Technogym cardio machines, a TRX setup and a designated boxing space.
Nimb also offers its own small infinity pool, situated on the hotel’s guests-only rooftop terrace. It’s heated to 27°C, ensuring a comfortable temperature all-year-round, and features a built-in tide that allows for continuous swimming against the resistance of waves. There’s also plenty of sun loungers for resting after a refreshing dip, as well as poolside service courtesy of the Nimb Roof Bar.
Rates at Nimb Hotel, an SLH Hotel, typically start around £1,028 per night.
