Ottilia Heritage with AIRE Ancient Baths

The room kept noise out really well, and we got a good night’s sleep. At check-in, two lovely girls greeted us warmly. We also managed to claim our free drinks between 10 and 11 PM, which was a great idea.

The design is beautiful, with a striking mix of old and new, but the housekeeping really let the hotel down. After three nights, we found old chicken nuggets beneath the sofa bed and stains around the bed. Breakfast was only average, and Hotel Ottilia feels clearly overpriced for what it is. Stylish, but poorly executed.

There’s nobody to greet you at the entrance or help with luggage, so you immediately have to carry your suitcase up ten steps. The staff, as I’ve often found in Copenhagen, didn’t come across as service professionals. They felt more like hosts who saw guests as an inconvenience. At breakfast, no one came to my table, so I went to the coffee bar to ask for coffee. They said I had to order from the table, then kept me waiting thirty minutes. I asked politely twice, but they only brought it after my friend requested one as if ordering for herself. The hotel’s architecture seems intended to look sophisticated, but it creates disconnected, awkward spaces. There was no sense of being welcomed or hosted. There’s also no valet at the entrance, no parking facility, and no visible security staff. If feeling secure is important to you, I wouldn’t choose this place. And if you want hospitality and a warm stay, this isn’t your hotel.

On my return on Nov 22, my original room, 111, had no electricity and was completely dark. After more than 30 years of travelling across 30-plus countries, I’d never had that happen and first thought I was just tired and mistaken. Gill went to check, then calmly reassured me with real empathy and excellent problem-solving. Ottilia was completely full, so she offered to move me to a sister hotel, but somehow managed to get me into room 204 instead. After walking 30k, I desperately needed a shower and rest. Because of the room issue, I’d thought my first stay here would be my last. Gill’s quick thinking and kindness changed my mind, and I’ll definitely stay again. She’s a real gem!