The Greenest Secret is Out: Inside Copenhagen's Most Exclusive Eco-Luxury Retreat

The Archive Folio

• June 25, 2026
• ByJarone Ashkenazi

Copenhagen has long been recognized as one of Europe's most sustainable cities—a progressive Scandinavian capital that prioritizes eco-friendly tourism with the same conviction that most cities reserve for economic development, pursues carbon neutrality targets with a seriousness that makes other cities' climate commitments look performative, and invests in green infrastructure not as a marketing initiative but as a fundamental expression of civic values. Building on the city's progressive eco-initiatives, its well-deserved reputation for bike-friendliness that has made cycling a viable primary mode of transportation rather than merely a leisure activity, and a reshaped metro system that connects the city with remarkable efficiency, the arrival of 1 Hotels' second location in Europe made perfect sense with the opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen.

The partnership between this pioneering eco-luxury brand and one of the world's greenest cities feels less like a business decision and more like an inevitability—the meeting of two philosophies that have been converging from different directions toward the same destination: the proof that luxury and sustainability are not merely compatible but mutually reinforcing, and that the most extraordinary travel experiences are those that honor the planet as carefully as they honor their guests.

Tucked away in the historic Latin Quarter at Krystalgade 22, just a quick walk from Nørreport Station and the infamous Round Tower that has watched over Copenhagen since the seventeenth century, the hotel breathes fresh life into an area dominated by eighteenth- and nineteenth-century architecture, proving that the most innovative design often flourishes not in blank-slate modernity but in the creative tension between old and new. Designed by London-based design studio AvroKO in partnership with the 1 Hotels internal design team, 1 Hotel Copenhagen is an unrivaled sanctuary where architectural grandeur, Danish craftsmanship, and visionary biophilic design seamlessly converge to create an experience that is as thoughtfully considered as it is visually stunning.

The design philosophy treats nature not as a decorative element to be sprinkled throughout the interior but as the organizing principle from which every other decision flows, ensuring that the relationship between the built environment and the natural world feels not imposed but intrinsic—a quality that becomes apparent the moment you step through the doors and feel the space breathe.

Mikkel Vang

This mission-driven, sustainably minded sanctuary boasts 282 rooms and presents guests with an urban retreat that makes abundant use of natural light, greenery, and reclaimed wood in ways that feel simultaneously innovative and deeply comforting. Stepping through its front doors, you enter what can only be described as a lush, living terrarium—a grand staircase with trees rising along the walls and vegetation ever-present, transforming the act of entering a hotel into the experience of stepping into a forest. Throughout the hotel, a careful balance of oak, linen, clay, stone, and seagrass—including the innovative Danish eelgrass acoustic panels by Søuld that bring centuries-old building traditions into a contemporary context, and preserved moss installations that bring the Danish landscape indoors without the maintenance demands of living walls—are present to create spaces that are both grounding and welcoming.

Every material has been selected not merely for its aesthetic qualities but for its story and its environmental credentials, creating an environment where sustainability is not a feature listed on a fact sheet but a palpable quality that you can feel in the warmth of the wood beneath your hand and see in the quality of light filtered through living walls.

"There's an ease and beauty to life in Copenhagen…how design and sustainability are seamlessly woven into the culture, and how nature is embraced in the most effortless, elegant way," says Barry Sternlicht, Founder of 1 Hotels and Chairman of Starwood Hotels, whose vision for the brand has always been rooted in the conviction that the most luxurious experiences are those that connect us to the natural world rather than insulating us from it. "Copenhagen represents everything we believe a 1 Hotel should be—a place where guests can experience the highest standards of hospitality while feeling genuinely connected to the environment and community around them."

Sternlicht's words carry the weight of someone who has spent decades at the pinnacle of the hospitality industry and has arrived at an understanding that transcends conventional luxury: that the hotels which will matter most in the coming decades are those that prove comfort and conscience are not competing values but complementary ones, and that the most memorable stays are those that leave both the guest and the world a little better than they found them.

Mikkel Vang

Across its 252 rooms and 30 suites, guests are invited to relax in a form of calming luxury that isn't overt but carefully balanced—a quality of comfort that whispers rather than shouts, that soothes through restraint rather than overwhelms through excess. Natural light and organic textures meet sustainably sourced bedding and stone basins and leafy accents to evoke a forest retreat in the heart of one of Europe's most vibrant capitals. Outfitted with organic Bamford amenities and state-of-the-art low-flow fixtures, their bathrooms are elegant and further accentuate the state of calm felt throughout the hotel—every element contributing to an atmosphere of considered serenity that makes the frenetic pace of modern life feel wonderfully distant.

Guests lucky enough to stay at the Flora Terrace House are welcomed by a lush private terrace that extends the living space into the open air, a separate living room and dining area that provide the space and privacy of a private residence, along with amenities like airport transfer pickup, a $300 hotel credit, and breakfast—ensuring that the most exclusive experience at 1 Hotel Copenhagen is also the most seamlessly convenient.

Also rooted in nature and guided by the seasons, dining at the hotel celebrates local ingredients with a reverence that reflects both Danish culinary tradition and the 1 Hotels philosophy of eating in harmony with the environment. From the Lobby Farmstand, which celebrates Copenhagen's local harvest with a collection of complimentary fresh fruit, seasonal snacks, and sustainable treats available to guests throughout the day, to PÆRE Cocktail Bar and PÆRE Dining Room, food and drink experiences are as nourishing as they are inspiring—each one a reminder that the most satisfying meals are those that taste of their place and their moment.

Under soaring 7.5 meter ceilings that create a sense of grandeur without sacrificing warmth, PÆRE Cocktail Bar is the center of the hotel—a place to gather and mingle with a fresh Nordic Berry Gimlet in hand, the cocktail's vivid color reflecting the very berries that grow in the Danish countryside during summer. PÆRE Dining Room brings a coastal Italian sensibility to Nordic ingredients, with dishes like Strozzapreti ai Gamberi and Risotto Verde that demonstrate how the best cooking transcends borders while remaining deeply rooted in local terroir.

Milo Brown

From moments of wellness to mindful exploration, guests can easily slow down at Bamford Wellness Spa or recharge at The Field House, the hotel's state-of-the-art fitness facility that proves serious training and environmental consciousness need not be mutually exclusive. Therapies rooted in the rhythms of nature interplay with the cutting-edge fitness studio to present a balanced and sensory-driven stay that addresses the whole person rather than merely the body. The spa's treatment menu draws on both ancient healing traditions and modern wellness science, offering experiences that range from deeply restorative massages to targeted bodywork designed to address the specific tensions of modern life.

The hotel also curates a rotating calendar of Happenings, wellness classes, local collaborations, and cultural events that allow guests to engage with the community and learn more about what makes the city tick—from guided runs through Copenhagen's green spaces to workshops with local artisans and talks by sustainability leaders who are shaping the future of Danish design and urban planning.

For guests who seek a deeper connection to their travels and the planet—a growing cohort of discerning travelers who understand that the most meaningful luxury is that which aligns personal pleasure with planetary responsibility—the revolutionary 1 Hotels Mission Membership™ builds upon the tried and true loyalty program concept with a fundamentally different approach. This human-centered approach to rewards focuses on curated perks and exclusive opportunities instead of accumulating points or tiered status, recognizing that the most valuable form of loyalty is not transactional but transformational.

Mission Membership reflects a philosophical commitment to the idea that the relationship between a hotel and its guests should extend beyond the boundaries of a single stay, creating a community of like-minded travelers who share a commitment to living and traveling more consciously. Members gain access to thoughtfully curated experiences—from private farm dinners with celebrated chefs to guided nature walks led by resident ecologists—that deepen their connection to the places they visit and the principles that 1 Hotels champions. It is a loyalty program designed not to bind guests to a brand through obligation but to unite them through shared values, proving that the most enduring relationships in luxury hospitality are built not on points and tiers but on purpose and passion.

Milo Brown

For every qualifying stay, 1 Hotels donates one percent of the qualifying spend to elite environmental nonprofits, including the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Oceanic Global—organizations chosen for their proven track records of creating meaningful, measurable environmental impact. This commitment transforms every night's stay into a tangible act of environmental stewardship, allowing guests to feel that their choice of hotel is contributing to something larger than their own comfort. In addition to giving back, members enjoy access to meditation and mindfulness resources from sustainability-focused brands, including Everlane, Remedy Place, HigherDOSE, Perplexity, and Alo Wellness Club—partnerships that extend the 1 Hotels philosophy into every dimension of daily life.

The membership program proves that loyalty can be built not through the accumulation of points but through the alignment of values—creating a community of travelers who return not because they are working toward a free night but because they believe in what the brand represents and want to be part of its mission.

Operating in alignment with LEED Gold and BREEAM Excellent standards—the two most rigorous and widely recognized green building certification systems in the world—1 Hotel Copenhagen is showing that a spectacularly green existence, in both color and practice, is not merely possible but preferable, and that the future of luxury travel lies not in choosing between comfort and conscience but in recognizing that the two have always been the same thing. The hotel stands as living proof that sustainability need not be a compromise or a concession but can be the very foundation upon which the most extraordinary hospitality experiences are built.

For travelers who have long suspected that the most luxurious feeling in the world is not the indulgence of excess but the satisfaction of alignment—between one's values and one's actions, between personal comfort and planetary care—1 Hotel Copenhagen offers not merely a place to stay but a vision of how we might all live more beautifully.