If you’re planning a trip to Copenhagen any time soon, there’s a new hotel to have on your radar. Petra is a boutique ‘design-driven’ hotel, thoughtfully conceived by Danish design brand &Tradition in collaboration with Copenhagen Design Hotels. Situated just next to Kongens Have (the King’s Garden), the hotel houses 40 cosy bedrooms that combine classic elegance with simple, contemporary design.
During 3daysofdesign in June, I got to take a peek inside. Maybe it was the bustle of the festival or the jam-packed schedule hopping from showroom to showroom, but Petra felt like a calm haven away from it all. The material palette is warm and restful, inviting you into a world that cocoons you in its soft textures and jewel-like tones. &tradition has an eclectic roster of furniture, lighting and accessories in its repetoire, from reissued Danish classics to curious, contemporary objects. Somehow they all work together to create an interior that feels intentionally put together yet subtly surprising.
All images &Tradition
The real inspiration for the hotel was 20th century Danish architect Kay Fisker, known for his housing projects in Copenhagen that exemplify Danish Functionalism. His style is very formulaic, utilising square forms, rounded edges, brick patterns, dark wood and muted colours such as chocolate and burgundy. From some of the bedroom windows, you can see Fisker’s Modernist Dronningegården complex, providing visual context for the new interiors.
For the Petra hotel, &tradition sought to bring one of Fisker’s buildings from the 1940s back to life. The original terrazzo floors have been restored, the handcrafted wooden banisters reinstated, and the rounded door handles preserved. There are little nods to mid-century design, whether it’s the tiled reception desk, the wood panelled window reveals or the brass details. But it feels modern and fresh at the same time.
This was quite a task for &tradition, who had never designed a hotel before. They didn’t even have a bed in their furniture collection. It took the design team a year and a half to make a reality, from researching colour schemes from local Fisker homes, to designing custom-made pieces for the lobby and bar, and even creating the branding, website and uniforms for the staff. The result is a cohesive representation of the values of the brand, without it being too obviously &tradition.
The Japandi-style beds were designed by OEO Studio as an extension to their Ita series. They proved so popular during 3daysofdesign, &tradition are considering putting them into production.
On the ground floor of the hotel is Petra Bar & Restaurant, offering seasonal menus and a fresh take on Danish cuisine in elegant surroundings. I particularly love the fact that the design team used leftover fabric for the wall coverings, sofa cover and cushions. The space feels eclectic yet inviting, somewhere where you can pause for a cocktail and rest your weary feet.
Book here: hotel-petra.com
