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The First Designer Hotel in the World
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The Danish architect Arne Jacobsen is recognised as one of the greatest architects of the 20th century, and there is no doubt that he was one of the most productive and creative Danish artists of his time. In 1960 one of his greatest works stood finished: SAS Royal Hotel, which has now completed its grandest refurbishments since its creation by Jacobsen.
Just under 40 years ago Hotel Manager Alberto Kappenberger and Architect Arne Jacobsen opened the new SAS Royal Hotel in Hammerichsgade in Copenhagen, which represented architecture and interior design of such a superlative standard that it earned the moniker of “The World’s First Designer Hotel”.
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Designed through and throughArne Jacobsen, as the visionary architect that he was, got the exclusive rights to design EVERYTHING - from the sophisticated building, which stands at the head of the longest period of prosperity in Denmark – to the little balls at the end of the curtain cords, all bear the imprint of Arne Jacobsen.
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This is a fabulous architectural history that Radisson SAS has inherited, and precisely because of the reverence that surrounds the progressive thinking of the past, it has been of the utmost importance to the hotel chain to continue that legacy with equal respect for Arne Jacobsen. They have sought to create a style in tune with the present, but which, equally, honours and appreciates the past.
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Furniture designThe legendary chair designs – the Swan and the Egg – were created for the SAS Royal Hotel and can now be seen throughout the hotel, since the Radisson SAS bought 450 additional copies. Most of these are in the guest rooms – each single room having one Swan chair, and each double room having two. The lobby area is also dominated by these beautiful design classics, and five Swan chairs and ten Eggs have been re-upholstered in leather – respectively a subtle red brandy-shade and a dark graphite green. In fact there is not a single room that does not feature a piece of Arne Jacobsen design, and great efforts have been made to preserve all the existing treasures.
Gourmet restaurant at the topThe gourmet restaurant on the 20th floor has undergone extensive refurbishment and the conference halls have also been modernised. The restaurant, Alberto K at The Royal, offers a stunning combination of Italian and Danish cuisine – not to mention unbeatable views over Copenhagen.
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Room 606Room 606 on the 6th floor has also been carefully restored. Naturally nothing in the original interior has been changed, since the room is an architectural gem that still attracts design and architecture enthusiasts from all over the world, who want to experience the room as it was when the hotel opened in 1960. The walls have been painted in the original shades, the carpet was custom-designed and is found nowhere else but in room 606. All the woodwork has been polished, and all the chairs re-upholstered with new open-weave woollen fabric in precisely the same shades as the original.
Radisson SAS Royal Hotel has also produced a new postcard of the room – a beautiful large photograph, not on general sale. The card is awarded only to those who stay in room 606, so if, by chance, a friend (and a friend with exquisite taste at that) should send you one through the post, you should prize it highly.
Source: Radisson SAS
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