At this antisocial hostel, rooms fit together like Tetris blocks

The Hostel

CityHub Copenhagen

CityHub from the street.Credit:

Check-In

Everyone knows Copenhagen is expensive, but that doesn’t stop the city from being a social hub. After sharing a bench with strangers outside a bakery, having lunch in a crowded dining hall and striking up conversations with shop owners, my social battery is running low. Luckily, this hostel is antisocial.

People-free check-in.Credit:

The idea here is that you can skip the small talk if you’d like. Check-in is done through a self-service kiosk, where I select a colourful wristband that, once activated, doubles as my room key.

Amusingly, this kiosk is in a communal lobby with lounge seating, bar stools and even a phone booth for calls you’d rather keep private. At check-in, I spot guests curled up with a book in the corner, a few tapping away on their laptops and a middle-aged man drinking a beer from the bar, which is also self-service.

The look

True to Danish design, the lobby is stylishly decorated, like a cafe, with patterned rugs, beechwood furniture and potted plants. The bathrooms are just as polished, almost spa-like, sparkling clean and even equipped with an iron. The hot stone sauna is just a little extra treat.

The room

The hubs fit together like Tetris.Credit:

Here, rooms are called hubs, which feels more appropriate. Each hub is L-shaped, locking together like Tetris blocks. I’m in a lofted hub, though a ground-level option is available for those who’d rather skip the ladder. Despite my mountain of luggage – a checked bag plus a carry-on – it all fits snugly. There’s a wardrobe with hangers and extra shelving. It’s a bit tight for spreading out, so I unpack only the essentials and stash the rest.

Inside the hub.

My favourite feature of the hub has to be the tech. Using an app on my phone, I can control the mood lighting, from a warm “By the Fire” red to the cool blues and greens of “Northern Lights”, which is my personal preference. The speakers connect to my laptop, so I go all-in and turn the hub into a private cinema. And don’t worry about the noise. The soundproofing is so good, you won’t bother a soul.

The communal bathrooms.Credit:

Food + drink

Like most things here, food and drinks are self-service. There’s a vending machine by the bathrooms with a mix of snacks, plus handy items such as thongs and condoms – just the hostel essentials. The lobby bar is stocked with a wide selection of wines, craft beers and soft drinks, all easily accessed by tapping your wristband. The kitchen and fridge are also open for all guests to use.

The lobby and its bar.Credit:

If you’d rather skip cooking or microwaving breakfast, the hostel has partnerships with nearby spots such as Grod (DKK69/$12), famous for its porridge, and Den go’e Kaffebar (DKK120/$28) for a classic continental breakfast. Personally, I recommend Kobenhavns Bageri, a 15-minute walk away, for the delicious cardamom bun and the local atmosphere.

Out + about

Formerly a meatpacking area, Vesterbro is now a hip district where young professionals start the day at chic bakeries and end it at brewpubs with Texas barbecue. The neighbourhood’s side streets are lined with boutique home design shops and fashion stores stocked with Scandinavian designer brands. The Nyhavn waterfront is a 12-minute bike ride away and Stroget, the main shopping strip, is a 20-minute walk from the hostel.

The verdict

CityHub has that hotel-level cleanliness and privacy but with hostel-level pricing. Even if I felt like treating myself to a hotel room in Copenhagen, I’d choose CityHub instead. It’s got everything I need, and I’d rather shell out for a fanciful set menu than pay extra for a private bathroom.

Essentials

Starts from DKK350 ($82) a night for two depending on season and day; discounts available for direct and advanced bookings. Vesterbrogade 97B, 1620, Copenhagen. See cityhub.com/copenhagen

Our score out of five

★★★★

Highlight
The in-hub tech and privacy.

Lowlight
You can’t control the temperature in the hub, which feels like a basic right to me. They should just add it to the app.

The writer stayed at her own expense.