Hotel Snapshot
Copenhagen gets justifiable praise for its mash-up of Danish history, Scandi cuisine, and Nordic design. But Denmark’s second most populous city, the lesser-visited Aarhus, serves up world-class museums, public sculptures, and a more laidback side of the country. My husband and I chose Hotel Oasia as our perch to explore it on a recent long weekend. We were drawn by the property’s crisp style as well as its thick-of-it-all location, a short walk from the train station—surely you didn’t come here by car in this sustainability-obsessed, train-mad country?
The 91-room property opened in 2008, but underwent a significant expansion and redesign in 2020. The result is a sleek combination of modern comforts (Hästens mattresses in the guestrooms, cozy leather seats in the breakfast room) and environmentally minded touches (staff uniforms made from organic cotton, energy-efficient lighting).
Design & Character
A cache of Scandinavian modern furniture by names like Heselius and Kjaerholm fills the clean-lined private and public spaces. Expect a combo of blue grays, pale woods, and bamboo décor in both the guest rooms and the long, narrow breakfast room/bar on Oasia’s ground level. Green plants (one of many eco touches) grace public spaces while framed architectural prints brighten guestroom walls.
The Rooms
Guestrooms range from snug Small Doubles to spacious Deluxe Suites with two bedrooms, ideal for traveling with friends or family. Simple yet sculptural furniture—curvy leather settees, wooden cocktail tables that resemble spools—ups the minimalist vibe. But comfort also matters here, shown in plush towels and robes and thick, dark curtains—a must during summer months when the sun doesn’t set till late.
Amenities
A compact basement gym and free bicycles keep guests moving in this young, fit university city. In the guestrooms, find sweet-smelling bath products by Yrolí Skincare, a Danish skincare brand as committed to sustainability as the hotel.
Food + Drink Situation
The Danes love a hearty breakfast buffet situation, which you’ll find laid out in a snug room decked with warm wood and slate blue walls. The spread includes smoked fish, local bread, seasonal fruit, and the strong, strong coffee the country is known for. Eco-conscious glass serving containers and a strict no-plastic policy assure that things stay green. In the evening, the breakfast digs morph into a convivial bar starring local tipples such as Ebeltoft beer (try the hoppy Wildflower IPA) and Njord Gin, which is distilled just a few miles away. You can do tours and tastings at Njord, but they’re usually in Danish.
Location + Neighborhood Recs
Just a block and a half from the Aarhus train station, Hotel Oasia is located within walking distance of, well, everything in this compact city. Don’t miss the nearby ARoS Aarhus Art Museum, where contemporary works (Ron Mueck’s Godzilla-sized human figures, Jenny Holzer's starkly lovely installations) are housed in a blocky building capped with a circular, walk-through rainbow walkway by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson. A bit further afield, Den Gamle By is a quirky, open-air history museum where you can visit a 1970s commune, a 16th-century merchant’s house, or a 19th-century bakery.
Fast Facts
Location: Aarhus, Denmark
The vibe: A crip eco hotel with a comfortable, luxurious feel
Dining: The generous breakfast, featuring all organic ingredients, includes fruit, fish, and a variety of Danish cheeses. The natural-light-soaked bar area also serves Danish beers and cocktails; Monday through Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m., a wine hour features free pours for guests.
Amenities: A snug gym, free bikes, complimentary breakfast
Our favorite part of the hotel: The beyond-comfortable beds from Hästens, the Swedish company known for its cushy mattresses covered in distinctive blue-and-white checkered fabric.
What’s nearby? The Aarhus Riverwalk, an urban renewal project that revived a long-covered ribbon of water, buzzes with shops and restaurants. Its pleasant sidewalk cafes are the exact spot you want to be on a nice summer night.
Any personal neighborhood recs? Exposed brick walls and vintage artifacts set a casual scene for Pondus, a hip Nordic cuisine restaurant plating inventive, homey dishes such as hake in caper sauce and spice cake with figs.
Rooms: 91 rooms and suites in a range of sizes and prices
Pricing: $145 and up
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