Avenue Hotel

The three-star Avenue hotel, located in Frederiksberg near Copenhagen's picture-perfect Sankt Jørgens Sø, takes the cake for unique hospitality and design-hotel décor. In creating the ambience, the hotel management seems to have forgotten nothing. Thoughtful extras (including many family-friendly touches) abound.

Downstairs, the mood is friendly and relaxed. The reception-bar is lined with mod overhead lights, and a cozy seating area boasts a fireplace, a mini-library, and a selection of board games.

Upstairs, the 66 guestrooms blend the best of the minimalist Danish design aesthetic with foreign accents. Think white walls and carpeting, polished black furniture, and colorful Missoni print bedspreads. Rooms come in the "standard" and "A+" categories. A+ rooms are more spacious and boast a free minibar. Family rooms with four beds are also available. Bathrooms are fresh as can be and are done up in white tiles.

We couldn't help but gush over a small detail we noticed on our way out the rooms: General Manager Mai Kappenberger has designed an incredibly stylish alternative to the standard "do not disturb" sign. The block with the red hand means "let me sleep," while the abstract silhouette of a maid means "clean me, please!"

The hotel is kid-friendly, to boot: There's a sandpit for children in the hotel's lovely courtyard, and a family bike is available for rent. In addition to serving a homemade breakfast, the Avenue offers a lounge menu at its ground-floor bar.