The Skt Petri hotel is in the heart of Copenhagen’s latin quarter. Within this area there are famous landmarks such as the Round Tower, Torvehallen and the lakes. Here I spent a little staycation time to learn more about what the hotel has to offer and its connection with architecture and design.
a brief history of the building and how it became the skt Petri hotel.
Danish architect Vilhelm Lauritzen designed the building in the 1920’s as a department store known as the Daelis department store. Nothing much compared to the hayday in 1970’s and with declining sales the Daelis department store closed its doors in March 1999. The 17,000 m² architecturally functionalist building (Vilhelm Lauritzen’s heritage-listed building from 1928) is now partly home to the Skt Peri hotel, along side a wine shop and restaurant.
The building was renovated in 2002 – 2003 by Erik Møller Architects to become the Skt Petri hotel. The design was very modernist, functional and very Danish. I came to stay in 2015 and loved the clean design. Consequently as a result of the hotel’s years of popularity it inevitably needed a facelift.
15 years on from Erik Møller’s design the hotel had undergone renovation. In 2017 architect Hilde Aasbø of the award-winning Norwegian design studio Anemone Wille Våge redesigned the hotel making quite an aesthetic change. The approach to this redesign reflects a desire to offer a timeless sense of laidback luxury. Though the designs may not be classically Danish in style it is however inspired by Vilhelm Lauritzen’s original choice of colours and materials.
“Our interior design takes its clear point of departure from the clean-lined architecture and its many beautiful details. We especially draw inspiration from Vilhelm Lauritzen when it comes to our choice of colours and materials. We have added a richer and somewhat softer interior in contrast to the original expression with the aim of achieving a profound and exciting experience of relaxed luxury,” Hilde Aasbø explains.
The lobby is incredibly spacious and bold in style.
Artwork in the hotel include sculptures and prints. By both upcoming and major contemporary Danish names. These names include Bjørn Nørgaard, Tal R, Adam Saks and the artist collective Superflex.
The hotel room
I stayed in a superior room with balcony. This luxurious room had views overlooking the city. Therefor making the stay feel extra special. The design of the room radiated luxury with brass lighting, leather lounge chair, deep colours and designer details. The bed was so comfortable I almost didn’t want to leave.
In all honesty I hid the purple velvet accent cushions in the wardrobe. Velvet is of course on trend and part of the luxurious textures within the hotel’s design. Though controversially I can’t touch the material without my spine curling. I’m sure most people would love it. I found the rest of the room perfectly welcoming.
One of the buildings we overlooked was Copenhagen’s first Zoological university built in 1870. This neoclassic building was the design of architect Hans Christian Hansen. Note the carved animal heads on the facade of the building. This building is truly stunning and one I must explore. Not only for the facade but to see how Copenhagen University currently utilise the space.
On the desk the very well known Snoopy lamp designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, 1967 for Flos. Flashes of this vibrant emerald green appear throughout the hotel as a key accent colour.
Frama’s St. Pauls Apothecary Collection
A very exciting and recent collaboration with hotel Skt Petri is with local Danish design company Frama. They have created a new exclusive range of toiletries for Skt Petri. The skin and haircare products are all made with natural ingredients and are divine! Details like this add to the quality of the hotel experience.
“We see a story in everything we do. Therefore, the collaboration with SKT. PETRI is exciting for us as both companies are very passionate about the fact that our design and aesthetics are based around our surroundings and history,” …. ‘With Frama’s St. Pauls Apothecary Collection, we have found a partner that matches the SKT. PETRI DNA. Their products are of high quality with a timeless and Scandinavian expression and I am looking forward to give our hotel guests the same aesthetic experience, ” says founder of Frama, Niels Strøyer Christophersen
A balcony in the heart of the city. In the distance you can see the Round tower. An iconic and special place to visit when in Copenhagen. A must see!
Sustainability
The sustainability of a hotel and the positive actions that they take is worth noting. Skt Petri have proudly listed what they do. Included in this list are what their owners do (Nordic Choice hotels) and tips on what the guests should do.
What they do
- Most showers and taps have a low pressure to reduce water consumption
- Half of the lights are turned in the hallways at night
- They use 100% offshore wind power
- 95% of the light sources are LED or energy-saving bulbs
- The use of heat recovery ventilation
- No palm oil is used and they only serve MSC certifed fish to protect the environment
- Food waste is used for biogas
- The old interior was donated to the charity ‘Mødrehjælpen’
What Nordic choice hotel group does
- Environmental management – With our ISO 14001 certifcation, we focus on energy, water, waste, chemicals and transport – every day, in every hotel
- Fair trade – We follow strict standards and work closely with our suppliers
- Community – We support the local community and take responsibility beyond the walls of our hotels
- UNICEF – We support UNICEF in the fight against child trafficking
Sustainable tips for the guests
- Unplug all your devises and adapters from the power sources when fully charged
- Use your towel more than once – save water
- Take shorter showers – go explore the city!
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- Try eating vegetarian – or at least a meat-free Monday
- Say no to plastic bags when shopping > Reuse water bottles – tap water in Denmark is among the purest sources in the world
- Rent a bike at the reception – be sustainable and experience the city as a Copenhagener
A great hotel in the heart of the city, deep rooted in the architectural history of Copenhagen and now with sustainability in mind.
H x
For more information on Skt Petri and bookings please visit www.sktpetri.com
*disclaimer – this was a complimentary press stay in collaboration with Skt Petri hotel.
*All Photography/images © Hannah Trickett/Hannah in the house
2 Comments
This looks absolutely beautiful. Those tiles are amazing and I love the bedside lamps! Love a staycation 🙂
Chloe
chloehford.com | Design & Lifestyle Blog
It occured to me that a lot is said in private and when a great job is done nothing is said in public 😉 So let me say it here as well, these photos are sensational! Great job Hannah!