CPH Living

A small, sleek hotel on a converted barge moored in trendy Christianshavn, with minimalist rooms and wonderful river views

To get an idea of how eager the owners of CPH Living are to please their guests, just look at what they did to build this floating hotel (boat-el). First they hauled an old barge from Germany to Poland, where they extended and refurbished it; then they towed it to Estonia and mounted 12 simple yet stylish bedrooms on its decks; finally, they sailed it to Copenhagen, where it’s now docked on a glittering waterway in a hip residential area, enjoying a new life as one of the city's quirkiest hotels.

As you might expect from the Danes, everything onboard is smartly designed and very clever. Large water-facing windows let light splash in, and each room has a magic box of an armoire with sliding drawers and panels accommodating a flat-screen TV and a surprising amount of storage space. The boat's communal area is dominated by a dangling, dazzling light fixture made up of oversized bulbs, and serves as the breakfast room and lobby. And crowning the whole affair is an expansive outdoor deck, where you can soak up Copenhagen's temperamental sun by day, and snuggle up under a glowing lantern to watch the fireworks above Tivoli Gardens by night.

Highs

• Floor-to-ceiling windows mean you can gaze out over the water from your bed
• With only 12 rooms it’s an intimate city escape - perfect for couples looking for something a little bit different
• Christianshavn is beautifully quiet, yet full of cafés and restaurants (including world-renowned Noma) and only a 15-minute walk from Copenhagen's main sights
• Sweeping views from the vast deck, taking in city spires and the iconic 'Black Diamond' royal library building
• The extremely friendly staff are happy to help tailor your Copenhagen experience to your interests, whether they lie in architecture, art, music or food

Lows

• Don't expect much in the way of onboard amenities - rooms are fairly basic and there's no restaurant or bar, though continental breakfast is included in the rates and you can help yourself to hot drinks in the lobby
• The boat rocks slightly - not ideal for those prone to sea sickness, though stabilisers keep motion to a minimum
• Not in the middle of the city action
• Full payment is required upon reservation
• No twin rooms