From Oslo to Copenhagen: How Nordic Hotels Are Redefining Luxury

Published on December 2, 2025

By: Yousuf M. Basil

At TFest 2025 in Mayakoba, where the world’s leading voices in luxury travel gathered to explore connection and conscious hospitality, two Scandinavian hotels stood out for something many travelers crave but rarely find: a genuine connection to place.

The Thief in Oslo and Villa Copenhagen in Denmark’s capital offer a distinctly Nordic vision of luxury — artful, sustainable, and shaped by the culture around them. These are hotels where guests engage with the city’s art, cuisine, people, and rhythm. The effect is grounding and intimate, inviting travelers to feel part of the destination rather than merely passing through it.

Both properties share a common thread: they sit under the creative, culture-driven ownership of Peter A. Stordalen — the Norwegian hotelier and contemporary art collector whose personal pieces are displayed throughout The Thief, shaping its cultural identity as much as its design.

Luxury Revealed: The Thief, Oslo

On Oslo’s Tjuvholmen peninsula — once a hideout for smugglers and outcasts — stands a hotel that has transformed its storied past into something extraordinary. The Thief, named for its location (“Tjuvholmen” means Thief Islet), now steals guests away from the ordinary and into an art-soaked sanctuary of contemporary refinement.

The Astrup Fearnley Museum — designed by Italian star architect Renzo Piano — sits just steps from the hotel as its nearest neighbor, and its influence resonates throughout The Thief’s curated collection of bold, international contemporary art. Works by global icons including Richard Prince, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, and Nate Lowman infuse the halls with a museum-like presence.

Highlighted Works in The Thief’s Collection

• Untitled (Cowboy), 1999 — Richard Prince
A deconstructed Marlboro advertisement, stripped of its text and mythology, revealing the grainy artifice behind America’s cowboy iconography.

• Draw, 1995 — Antony Gormley
A cast-iron body based on Gormley’s own form — grounded, heavy, and evocative of surrender, humility,

and raw human physicality.

• Beautiful, amore, gasp, eyes going into the top of the head and fluttering painting, 1997 — Damien Hirst
A vibrant centrifugal burst of color from Hirst’s celebrated Spin Painting series — pure movement, randomness, and joy.

• Statue Painting, 2011 — Nate Lowman
A layered, narrative-rich commentary on pop culture, violence, and contemporary American storytelling.

Hospitality with an Edge

“We treat rockstars as guests, and guests as rockstars,” said Marianne Frostad, Director of Sales. “We swear by quality, focus on details, and stretch ourselves to surprise you — that’s how we create hotel experiences.”

Menus at the hotel reflect this philosophy as well.  Nordic ingredients meet international flair — ‘Nordic nods and global winks’ — served with a side of surprise, whether for lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea.

“The Thief is a lifestyle luxury hotel built on a philosophy of sustainability and local qualities,” Frostad added. “Most of our guests come from all over the world, and we want them to feel both cared for and captivated.”

The rooftop terrace overlooks the Oslo fjord, where guests can swim, explore the floating saunas, or cruise the islands. The Thief is more than a hotel — it’s a living gallery and a love letter to Oslo.

Conscious Luxury: Villa Copenhagen

Across the Øresund Strait, Villa Copenhagen offers a different interpretation of Nordic luxury –
relaxed, warm, and rooted in responsibility. Located in the former Post & Telegraph headquarters, right next to Tivoli Gardens and the central train station, the hotel has found a natural balance between historic architecture and modern values. Sustainability is deeply integrated into the day-to-day operations. “Everything – from our food to our partnerships – reflects sustainability and awareness,” said Cecilie Philipson, Senior Sales Manager. “For us it’s all about creating luxury responsibly.”

Where Copenhagen Gathers: T37

T37, once a gathering place for postal workers, is today a lively social space that reflects

Copenhagen’s modern culture.“It’s a space for both locals and guests – People come here to meet and unwind” A relaxed cocktail and sharing bar, where small plates made from locally sourced ingredients are served with a seasonal cocktail or simply a good glass of champagne.

Bread & Wine, the Copenhagen Way: Rug Bakery

Rug – named after the Danish word for rye – plays a central role in the experience at Villa

Copenhagen. By day, it operates as a contemporary bakery rooted in Danish craftsmanship. By night, it transforms into a casual restaurant and bar, known for its sourdough pizzas, natural wines, and curated sharing servings.

A Hotel Powered by Happiness

What truly defines Villa Copenhagen, however, is its atmosphere – shaped largely by the people who work there.

“We don’t hire staff just for experience — we hire for attitude,” Philipson explained. “Happiness

is contagious. When our team feels proud and fulfilled, guests feel it too.”

That philosophy infuses every moment: morning laps in the sustainably heated rooftop pool,

courtyard cocktails, DJ sets from the balcony, and late-night conversations drifting into the warm

Copenhagen air.

The effect is effortless — luxury that feels lived-in, warm, and genuinely human.

“Families love it here,” Philipson smiled. “It’s elegant — but never stiff.”