The Most Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Hotel in Copenhagen
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
THE BEST ECO-FRIENDLY HOTEL IN COPENHAGEN
Manon Les Suites is a five-star hotel, which is also designed to be one of the most eco-friendly, sustainable hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark.
➡️ BOOK HERE: Manon Les Suites
It’s known for its insta-famous Bali-inspired pool, but I was even more impressed with the focus placed on sustainability.
Guldsmeden, the hotel’s parent company, bills Manon Les Suites as: “5-star bohemian luxury meets sustainability.” It’s one of a growing number of environmentally-focused hotels around the world listed on the Eco Hotels website.
Copenhagen is known as one of the most progressive cities in the world when it comes to sustainability and environmental programs.
The city is full of eco-friendly hotels, but I found: Manon Les Suites goes well-beyond recycling and buying clean energy.
Sustainability in the Hotel Suites
Manon Les Suites is, as the name implies, a hotel made up of 87 suites.
The sizes, shapes, and number of bedrooms vary, but they’re spacious and full of sustainable luxuries.
Some of the eco-friendly features are obvious, but others are cleverly hidden.
The hotel earned Manon Green Key certification when it opened in 2017.
Repair, not Replace at Manon Les Suites
Manon has a policy to repair things that break, if possible, rather than throw them out.
If buttons pop off a throw pillow, or a seam splits in a couch cushion, a tailor will mend them.
If a leg breaks off a chair or piece of furniture, they’ll get it repaired, rather than throw the set out.
Many of the rugs in the suites actually come from second-hand stores. In addition to it adding to Manon’s status as one of the most sustainable hotels in Copenhagen, the practice also creates an eclectic, bohemian feel in the rooms, ensuring no two are the same.
It’s rare to hear of a 5-star hotel shopping for room decor in second-hand stores, but it works!
➡️ BOOK HERE: Manon Les Suites
Sustainable Supplies at this Copenhagen Eco Hotel
You won’t find many single-use plastics here.
There are no tubes of toothpaste. Instead, the hotel provides chewable mouth wash.
The razors and toothbrushes supplied, if you choose to use them, are made of bamboo rather than plastic.
The bottles of shampoo and body wash in the shower are large and refillable, rather than the single-use mini-bottles.
In fact, all bathroom products, along with towels, the wooden keycards, paper, toilet paper, napkins, cleaning products and candles are all organic.
The Eco Friendly Bedding at Manon Les Suites
Linens in a hotel go through constant washing, and wear down quickly.
Organic sheets and towels can be especially delicate.
The staff at Manon Les Suites spent years trying to find and develop a solution. Through a collaboration with Beirholm Textiles and Berendsen, they found a strong enough organic fabric to use as sheets, which doesn’t have to be replaced as often.
The bed linens are mixed with recycled polyester for durability.
Guldsmeden also collaborates with ProLana, based in Germany, to make bedding and duvets made of fairtrade natural materials, including rubberized coconut, and wool from camels, yaks, and sheep.
When sheets, towels, and duvet covers tear or age beyond what’s expected at a hotel, they’re resown into pillow covers or donated to charity.
The sheets are hung outside to dry on clothes lines. Dryers are only used if it’s cold and raining outside.
Copenhagen Eco Hotel: Fueled by Green Energy
Copenhagen set the goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral capital.
Many of the buildings, including Manon Les Suites, use energy supplied by Natur Energi.
It’s 100% sustainable energy, obtained from renewables.
Bali-Inspired Atrium & Pool at Manon Les Suites
The owners of Guldsmeden Hotels have a special appreciation for a few places around the world, including Southern France, and Bali.
Their hotel properties often include design inspiration from their favorite destinations, so that’s why we have a touch of Bali in Copenhagen at Manon Les Suites.
The glass ceiling perfectly lights the pool area during the day, and the fish hanging from the ceiling are part of the Bali-inspiration
➡️ BOOK HERE: Manon Les Suites
Manon Les Suites’ Junglefish Pool
Visually, the pool at Manon Les Suites, is the big draw to the hotel.
It’s a beautiful atrium space, with a glass ceiling, vines lining the balconies, and tropical plants.
The bar serves whatever you’d like, and the pool deck area has several lounging options.
It’s brightly lit during the day, and beautifully lit after dark, complete with a disco ball.
The Balinese design in the pool area lures Europeans during the cold winter months, looking for a nearby tropical escape.
Plant Life at this Eco Hotel in Copenhagen
Seeing pictures of the pool area, I assumed some (if not all) of the vines had to be fake.
They’re all real!
While an extensive dripping system is setup to keep the vines watered, a small group of people tend to the vines, cleaning them up and picking off any dead leaves or flowers on the other plants.
Plus, they’re constantly growing the next generation of vines.
In a corner on the top floor, they have several shelves and tables dedicated to propagation.
Anetta, one of the plant specialists, showed me the jars of water and small planters of dirt, which contain vines in their infancy.
I love plants, so this was arguably my most exciting “surprise find” at the hotel!
I have a similar setup and grow operation at home, but unlike Anetta, I don’t have an amazing place to display my new plants!
Eventually, everything on the shelves in this top floor nook will be added to the hotel’s “living walls” surrounding the pool.
Sustainability in the Copenhagen Hotel Kitchen
The kitchen and restaurant at Manon Les Suites contribute several factors toward making it one of the most sustainable hotels in Copenhagen.
The amazing rooftop view from the restaurant is an added bonus!
Eco Friendly Ingredients at This Eco Friendly Hotel
Most of the ingredients used in the meals at Guldsemeden Hotels are handpicked and locally-sourced.
The chefs use in-season crops and avoid flying anything in. The food is either driven or brought in by boat.
You’ll notice: on the buffet, the portions are small. The chefs prepare as they go, and avoid bulk cooking to waste as little as possible.
➡️ BOOK HERE: Manon Les Suites
Manon Les Suites: Gold Label Organic Certification
The restaurant at Manon is certified with the Gold Ø-label from Organic Denmark, meaning 90-100% of the food used in the meals is certified organic.
The staff says their last audit had them above 99%.
Since the system was created in 2009, more than 3,250 private and public restaurants have displayed their level of raw organic products. Large businesses, schools, and hospitals all take part.
Denmark was a pioneer in establishing regulations over organic food, dating back to 1987.
The goals of Organic Denmark remain the same: produce, process, buy, and eat food which is as “gentle on the environment as possible.”
A Breakfast Experience Focused on Sustainability
Breakfast upstairs at the hotel will start you off well for the day, with a diverse spread of eggs, breads, fruit, coffee, yogurts, and impossibly crispy bacon.
I can’t believe I forgot to ask the chefs how they get the bacon crisped to perfection! I’m not even a bacon fan, and it was the highlight of my breakfast.
The breakfast is not included with your stay. It’ll be an extra 275 DKK per person, or about $36 USD.
The Leftovers: An Eco Friendly Process
Some dishes are made specifically so the untouched leftovers remaining in the kitchen can be repurposed into another recipe later in the day.
When it comes to food waste, it’s kept separate from other trash and sent to be recycled. Food waste from Manon and the other Guldsmeden Hotels goes into production of biodiesel and biogas.
Separating the leftovers also allows the kitchen staff to monitor and weigh the waste so they can figure out ways to minimize further waste.
Manon Les Suites: The Hotel
The hotel itself would be worth staying at, even if it wasn’t one of the most sustainable hotels in Copenhagen!
The views, the pool, the rooftop, the restaurant, and the decor combine to earn Manon its 5-star status.
Guldsmeden Copenhagen: The Location
From the central part of the city, Manon Les Suites (again, part of the Guldsmeden hotel family) is easy walk to Copenhagen Lakes, Tivioli Gardens, the City Center, and more.
📍The Forum subway stop is right across the bridge, providing easy access to the airport.
📍Tivoli Gardens is a 10 minute walk south.
📍 Stroget, Copenhagen’s most famous shopping boulevard, is a 15 minute walk.
📍Nyhavn, the most iconic waterfront district in Copenhagen, is a 20 minute walk.
The Rooftop at Manon Les Suites
I love a rooftop bar at a hotel, and Manon delivers in that area, too.
The restaurant has a few tables on a balcony, to enjoy your meals or drinks with an amazing view outside.
The rooftop is also home to Manon’s spa, which also includes Balinese design elements combined with nordic traditions. The spa includes a sauna, a cold-water bath, a steam bath, and an outdoor space where you can relax.
You’ll have great views of different parts of Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Lakes.
Manon’s Past Life
Before the building was Manon Les Suites, it was another hotel.
There was no pool. The center used to be just a concrete courtyard, and the suites hadn’t been renovated.
Staff members say every once in a while an older person will come by, and say that they can recall when the building was apartments decades ago.
The Owners of Guldsmeden Hotels
All Guldsmeden hotels are Green Globe certified. Sustainability is at the core of the small chain’s mission.
Manon is the name of one of the owners’ children.
Other Guldsmeden hotels to check out, with a similar focus on sustainability and eco-friendly travel include:
🇩🇰 Axel Guldsmeden (Copenhagen)
🇩🇰 Bryggen Guldsmeden (Copenhagen)
🇩🇰 Carlton 66 (Copenhagen)
🇩🇰 Babette Guldsmeden (Copenhagen)
🇮🇸 Eyja Guldsmeden (Reykjavik, Iceland)
🇳🇴 Hotel Oslo Guldsmeden (Oslo, Norway)
🇩🇪 Lulu Guldsmeden (Berlin)
🇮🇩Chapung Se Bali (Bali)
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Tours in Copenhagen
Copenhagen as a city and Denmark as a country are proud to show off their sustainable accomplishments.
Several tours are offered for visitors to get a better idea of the eco-friendly steps being taken here.
Walking, Food, and Bike Tours of Copenhagen
🇩🇰 “Green” bike tour, focused on solar, green roofs, and green architecture.
🇩🇰 3-hour cycling tour of Copenhagen.
🇩🇰 Copenhagen food tour, featuring local plants, gardens, and organics.
🇩🇰 10-stop walking tour of Copenhagen.
If you’re in Scandinavia, it’s easy to bounce from city to city. Taking a flight (or the train) from Copenhagen up to Stockholm is a great way to explore another world-class city.
📍JARED’S DETOURS BLOG: Stockholm Walking Tour Ideas
📍JARED’S DETOURS BLOG: Stockholm Airport to the City Center
