Staying in the Danish capital will always be a treat for design lovers, but at these private residences, you’ll feel like you’ve been exclusively invited into a collector’s home. Those collectors are the founders of the Darling Creative Studio - Uffe Buchard and Jens Løkke - who have drawn on their flair for contemporary art and design to create three seriously stylish urban pads, all with generous living spaces, kitchens, and one with a balcony. But these are no show homes. Inside, they’re bright and inviting with fluffy rugs, calm colours, and easy chairs that you’ll want to sink into.
You’re in the centre of the city here, beside Strøget Street, the main shopping thoroughfare, but tucked away on the second floor of an 18th-century building, so very much out of sight (and mind) from passers-by. Everything about your stay is curated, from the handpicked, monthly-rotating artworks (all for sale) that furnish the interior, to the personalised experiences offered through their concierge service. Fancy a massage? Tickets to the ballet? A three-course dinner cooked by a private chef? Just say the words.
The Darling
Copenhagen, Denmark
Highs
- The apartments are a clever marriage of contemporary art and design with warmth and homeliness
- Each apartment is curated, with handpicked designer furniture and custom colours, wallpapers and soaps; all of the art you see is for sale, so the decor changes regularly
- A concierge service brings the city to your fingertips, with everything from chauffeurs to butler service on offer
- A brilliant base for exploring Copenhagen’s old city - shops and metro stations are close
Lows
- A stay here isn’t cheap, but you get bespoke service and design
- Full prepayment is required upon booking
- The smallest apartment - Cosy - doesn’t have much in the way of cooking facilities, with just a small kitchenette
- Kids are welcome, but we’d be scared to let little ones loose in these stylish pads!
Best time to go
Our top tips
If design is your thing (you wouldn't be here if not), time your visit to coincide with Copenhagen's 3 Days of Design in June, when showrooms, exhibitions and open studios spill across the city, and even tucked-away spaces open their doors.
- Design Apartments
- 3 apartments for 2-3
- Self-catering; chef on request; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Concierge Service
Rooms
The apartments come in three sizes - big, bigger and enormous - ranging from 50-100m2.
The Grand is the largest and is the only one with a balcony. Standout furniture pieces include Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair in the living room, the lotus-like pendant lamp hanging above the dining table, the Nyhavn Desk by Finn Juhl in the study, and the sculptures throughout (particularly the upside-down legs in the bathroom!). In the bedroom, you get a leafy outlook and bespoke patterned wallpaper in duck-egg blue.
The Classic is the next one down in size, facing Strøget and the copper spire of Saint Nicholas Church. Its south-facing outlook makes it the brightest apartment of the three. The living-dining room is lit by an Artichoke lamp, the study has Hans Wegner’s Kennedy Chair, and the kitchen is made from oak. Tucked behind the living room is the bedroom with sustainable Aiayu linen on its queensized bed.
The Cosy apartment might be the smallest of the lot, but don’t be fooled by its name. You still get a good amount of space, with a lounge, dining area with kitchenette, bedroom and a bathroom. They’ve even squeezed in a maxibar and a reading nook - good to hear they’ve got their priorities right! All rooms face west towards the Church of the Holy Spirit, so you get evening light.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Bluetooth sound system
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Fan
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Satellite TV
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
Each kitchen was custom-designed by local furniture maker Københavns Møbelsnedkeri, with oak surfaces and moody colour schemes making them look sleek. Both the Grand and Classic kitchens have enough space for proper self-catering, but the Cosy’s kitchenette is more for whipping up breakfasts and snacks only. In each, you get coffee makers, maxibars and a free bottle of Champagne for booking through i-escape.
You can request a shopping service for stocking up on groceries, or you can pop out yourself - shops are 5 minutes away. If you want a private chef to come and cook for you, a breakfast delivery, a mixologist for cocktails, or some local restaurant recommendations, just ask via the concierge service.
Features include:
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Restaurants nearby
- Shopping service
Activities
- Stroll through Rådhuspladsen and down Strøget, part people-watching parade, part design pilgrimage, with everything from high-end boutiques to Danish homeware icons
- Other highlights for art and design enthusiasts include Thorvaldsens Museum, the sculptures at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, the Danish Architecture Centre on the waterfront, and Copenhagen Contemporary
- Arrange for an in-room treatment - The Darling has connections with a local cosmetologist and a masseur
- Stroll to the harbour and the colourful townhouses of Nyhavn
- Rent bikes and cross the canal to explore Christiania, an art-filled, free-spirited enclave
- Dip into Danish history and royal grandeur at Christiansborg Palace, where you can explore everything from royal reception rooms to ancient ruins beneath
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Spa treatments
Kids
Kids are welcome, but we wouldn’t bring youngsters here - there are too many objets d’art. Respectful teens would enjoy the inner-city location. One extra bed or baby cot can be added to the two larger apartments.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Distances:
- Airport: 20-25 minutes
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Darling is located beside Strøget in Copenhagen’s old city.
By Air:
Fly into Copenhagen Airport, the city’s main international hub, around 8km south of central Copenhagen.
From the Airport:
The metro is the quickest option, whisking you into the centre in around 15 minutes. Private transfers can also be arranged, with the drive taking 20–25 minutes depending on traffic.
Getting around:
Use the Metro: Gammel Strand station is a 5-minute walk away; Kongens-Nytorv is 10 minutes. Or hire a bike - Copenhagen’s favourite mode of transport.
By Car:
We wouldn’t advise driving in Copenhagen, but if you want to hire a car for exploring the wider area, see our recommendations. There is no parking at The Darling, but guests can park nearby at Q-Park Illum (3-minute walk).
Airports:
- Copenhagen Airport 12.0 km CPH
Other:
- Beach 8.6 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
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