The old warehouse by Copenhagen’s waterway

Arched walls of bricks are remnants of the building’s past.

Just when I thought that nothing would surprise me anymore, I was proven wrong. I haven’t tried sleeping in a warehouse.

It was in my first time to Scandinavia, with the Danish capital of Copenhagen as the first stop. Agoda, the online travel agency, pointed me to another of their partner hotel, one that I “should” be adding to my list—the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel.

The Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is fitted in a granary warehouse by the Danish Capital’s historic waterway.

The Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is fitted in a historic warehouse neighboring the Royal Palace and the Royal Playhouse, and close to the Copenhagen city center and the best shopping and cultural attractions.

The Royal Playhouse & harbor at daybreak seen through my room's window...

…..during day time....

….and at night.

A closer look at the very impressive Royal Playhouse.

But this was no ordinary warehouse. It’s a warehouse with 200 years of history preserved within its structure. And, if the walls could talk, in this instance the large wooden beams that hold the edifice together, much can be learned about Copenhagen’s past.

Past meets present. Designs fuse in the hotel’s make-up.

It all started in 1787 when the city was a maritime hub, the time when the harbor was a hive of bustling activity, a time when all the shipping was under sail. This gave life to the warehouse, which became a focal point for the shipping trade, not only to other parts of Denmark but to the Danish colonies and the rest of the world.

The maritime hub in the past.

The warehouse was originally built as a granary for a trading company and, thanks to its architectural beauty and integrity, the building bears witness to the wealth generated by late 18th century trade.

"I am the captain of my ship"… but this one is not mine. A replica of a schooner at the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel lobby.

Two centuries later, a hotel was fitted within the warehouse’s original structure. The new look bears a modern design with a maritime theme, a reinvention that stayed true to the hotel’s maritime origin. The result is an ideal blend of historical charm and modern appeal with a unique ambience that is noticeable from the moment you walk in.

Pops of color add contrast to the subdued nautical hues of the hotel & contemporary appeal to the décor.

The hotel’s general color scheme is nautical—shades of blues and grey, and a pop of plum and orange add contrast and contemporary appeal to the décor. Exhibited in the lobby and on the various floors are model ships and items from the Royal Danish Naval Museum.

Exhibited in the lobby & on the various floors are model ships & items from the Royal Danish Naval Museum.

Impressed? Here’s more. What used to hold 30,000 barrels of grain now holds 366 guest rooms—with no two are alike. Each of the rooms is unique, individually developed by a group of Denmark’s best interior designers to reflect its own ambience, including custom designed furniture.

No two rooms are alike in this 366-room hotel.

However, there is one look that unifies all the rooms, they all capture the mood of the building’s history through their characteristic beams that complements well with the view of the modern world through its windows—the glow of the city lights and its ever-changing reflection from the water.

The rooms are all unique but unifies them are the beams & the view of the harbor (below).

View from my room—sunrise seen through the window of the old granary’s thick walls.

My breakfast was always sumptuous at the Salt bar & restaurant. The daily spread to start the day offered a feast fit for a modern day Viking. Though bread, eggs, salads, cheeses and fruits may be the usual fare served for breakfast in hotels across the globe, what I found unique on this spread was the herring. I had to sample it and if I stay longer in the Scandinavia, I can acquire the taste for this local specialty.

The Salt Bar & Restaurant

It gets busy in the morning.

The breakfast offering is fit for a modern day Viking.

It was easy to fall in love with this hotel. It’s certainly a plus that it’s a quick ride to and from the airport and its close proximity to everything beautiful about Copenhagen is within walking distance, including the famed statue of the Little Mermaid.

From the hotel,you can walk to visit the Little Mermaid.

Excitement didn’t end at the end of each touring day. In fact, it was something to look forward to. After reveling in the sights of Copenhagen on foot, it was marvelous to come home to the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel and let its modern comfort infused with history embrace you and steer you to the calm sea of deep, rejuvenating sleep.

I love this Copenhagen hotel. Now I can say I've slept in a warehouse.

You see, visiting a historic building is cool, but staying in one is way cooler. Staying at the Copenhagen Admiral Hotel, a warehouse in the past, was nothing short of extraordinary.

Copenhagen Admiral Hotel is at Toldbodgade 24 – 28 DK-1253 Copenhagen K. Visit their website: http://www.admiralhotel.dk/en