Copenhagen Admiral Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark

The great location is one of the Admiral's biggest selling points. It sits right on the waterfront, with the Royal Palaces around the corner and views across the harbour to the Opera House on the other side. There's a harbour ferry stop close to hand, and Kongens Nytorv metro station is a ten-minute walk away. On one side of the hotel are the many bars and restaurants of Nyhavn; on the other, a waterfront park with a photogenic fountain.

By plane: direct flights to Copenhagen from London, Manchester and Edinburgh (1 hour 45 minutes). It's a 20-minute drive to the hotel. Parking costs DKK 300 per day. Book flights to Copenhagen.

The first sight that greets you as you walk into the Admiral is an impressive replica of an 18th-century warship - one of several nods to the area's maritime heritage. The open plan reception/bar area sets the design tone, with giant timber trusses supporting the beamed ceilings and arched windows set into bare brick walls.

The reception staff can arrange bike or electric car hire, book massages in the small sixth-floor sauna and sell admission cards for a local fitness centre. There's onsite parking (first come, first served) and a couple of vending machines filled with potentially useful items, from toothpaste and deodorants to guidebooks and hand gel.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Mini golf
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The surroundings may be historic, and most of the rooms come with big, chunky beams of Pomeranian pine, but the overall look is one of cool, contemporary elegance. No two rooms are exactly alike, but each one is a stylish little haven of calm, with pale woods, tastefully muted shades, and streamlined furniture.

Room types: Single, Double, Double Deluxe, Loft Deluxe, Tower Suite, Conference Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, hypoallergenic duvets and pillows, bluetooth speaker, TV, free Wi-Fi

The fine-dining restaurant, SALT, all high beamed ceilings and white-painted brick walls, is an attractive backdrop to the excellent modern Danish food created by the kitchen team. Each month the tasting menu changes to make the most of whatever's in season, but there's also a regular bar menu of snacks and simpler dishes.

SALT: fine dining, modern Danish cuisine. Open daily for breakfast, Mon-Sat for dinner. Sunday brunch served 12-4pm. Seasonal menu from DKK 485.