Our database shows that a minimum of 45 high end hotel schemes are underway across the northern European country, encompassing 6,660 keys.
Rapid bounceback
Figures from Statistics Denmark detail that in 2022 foreign and domestic tourists made a record total of 62.9 million overnight stays across the Nordic nation.
This is an increase of 12.1% compared to 2019’s previous high of 56.1 million, and a rise of 22.1% from pandemic-affected 2021.
Meeting need
With demand increasing so quickly, Denmark will require new accommodation to come online quickly, but THP figures suggest that may not be the case, with a peak of 17 project deliveries scheduled for 2026.
10 more sites will come online in 2024, however, with a further four due before year end 2023 and another five in 2025. The remaining nine sites are either slated for further in the future or have yet to be designated a delivery date.
Likewise, more developments are in the earlier stages of progress, with 17 in a planning phase, 10 in pre-planning and another two in a vision state. This is as against 12 properties under construction and four pre-openings.
New and upscale preference
Two thirds of this premium pipeline are newbuildings, equivalent to 30 sites, compared to six refurbishments, five conversions and four extensions.
The upscale segment dominates development, with 84% of our Danish records being four star projects, representing 38 hotels, in contrast with just seven five stars.
City independents
In terms of geographical hotspots, the top two largest Danish cities are also fighting it out for supremacy in the high end hotel pipeline. Both the capital Copenhagen in the east and Aarhus in the centre of the country have eight projects underway. Horsens, Aalborg and Odense tie for runners-up spot on a pair apiece.
Regarding hotel branding, 82% of developments (37 records) are independent sites, as against just eight branded properties. This octet comprises Accor and Ennismore’s 25hours Hotels, Marriott International’s Fairfield by Marriott, Scandic Group’s Scandic Hotels, edyn’s Locke, SH Group’s 1 Hotels, Strawberry Hotels’ Hobo Hotels, Cabinn Hotels and Guldsmeden Hotels.
Branded projects
Major branded projects include Accor/Ennismore’s 25hours Hotel Copenhagen Paper Island, the 25hours line’s second Copenhagen hotel. Due to complete in Q2 2024, the property will have 128 rooms and include a restaurant, a café and a bar on the top floor. Three function rooms will have capacity for 120 people.
Plus edyn’s first Danish Locke site is Karsten Locke Copenhagen Postbyen. The new 236-key aparthotel will be housed in two towers within the mixed use Postbyen development and is scheduled to open in Q1 2025. The building’s studio and apartments will be fully equipped with a kitchen and bathroom, with the ground floor featuring a restaurant, bar, café and lounge space.
