4* Ascot Hotel

Wakeup Copenhagen, Bernstorffsgade is a modern budget hotel near the waterfront, within walking distance of Copenhagen Central Station and Tivoli. The rooms are minimalist and fairly compact, but they're contemporary, air-conditioned and considerably smarter than the two-star rating might suggest. Higher room categories offer more space or better views, while the café and lounge provide somewhere to grab breakfast, snacks or a drink. It's further from the Studiestræde gay bars than citizenM or SP34, so nightlife isn't the reason to choose it. The appeal is simple: a decent central location at rates that can be much kinder than Copenhagen's more stylish hotels. GayMapper tip: a sensible budget base if you're happy to walk a little further to the gay scene.

Hotel Danmark combines a very central location with enough personality to avoid feeling like another anonymous city hotel. It sits beside Copenhagen's cultural district, just a short walk from City Hall Square, Tivoli and the gay bars around Studiestræde. The rooms are spread across two contrasting historic buildings and have a stylish contemporary look, while the rooftop terrace is a particularly good spot when Copenhagen's weather cooperates. Guests also get Brøchner's daily complimentary wine hour and nightcap hour. You're close enough to walk almost everywhere you'll probably want to go during a weekend in the city. GayMapper tip: a strong alternative to citizenM if you'd prefer something more boutique while keeping the gay scene almost as convenient.

Ascot Hotel has a location that's almost tailor-made for a GayMapper recommendation: it sits directly on Studiestræde, the street at the heart of Copenhagen's traditional gay area. The hotel occupies a characterful historic building and offers smart, contemporary rooms rather than full-on boutique theatrics. Tivoli, City Hall Square and Strøget are all just a few minutes away, while Copenhagen Central Station is comfortably walkable. Most importantly for a night out, you can simply head along Studiestræde towards the gay bars rather than worrying about trains, taxis or late-night navigation. GayMapper tip: location is the star here — particularly if you want sightseeing during the day and the gay bars within stumbling-home distance at night.

CABINN Copenhagen is one of the better options if keeping accommodation costs down is more important than staying right beside Copenhagen’s main sights and gay nightlife. It’s a large, modern budget hotel south of the city centre, close to Fisketorvet shopping centre and the waterfront. The cabin-inspired rooms make very efficient use of space — which is another way of saying they’re small — but all have private bathrooms, TV and tea and coffee facilities. The hotel also has a 24-hour reception, breakfast and self-service laundry facilities. Central Station and Tivoli are reachable on foot, but the gay bars around Studiestræde are further away, so this isn’t the hotel to choose if nightlife location is your priority. GayMapper tip: one for the budget-conscious traveller — simple, compact and no-frills, but often considerably cheaper than staying right in central Copenhagen.

citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen gets one of the locations GayMapper travellers are most likely to appreciate. It's right on City Hall Square, with the gay bars around Studiestræde only a few minutes away and Tivoli, Strøget and the city centre equally close. Rooms follow the familiar citizenM formula: they're compact, but the enormous bed, blackout blinds, smart controls and good shower make clever use of the space. Downstairs, the colourful living-room-style lounge and 24-hour canteenM give the hotel considerably more personality than the average chain property. Rådhuspladsen metro station is practically outside. GayMapper tip: still our favourite Copenhagen all-rounder — particularly if you want gay nightlife, sightseeing and transport all within ridiculously easy reach.

Set inside former university buildings near the Round Tower, 25hours Hotel Indre By is one of Copenhagen's more playful design hotels. The interiors revolve around themes of knowledge and passion, so expect something rather less restrained than classic Danish minimalism. There are 243 rooms ranging from relatively compact to decidedly generous, plus NENI restaurant, a basement bar, sauna and plenty of unusual communal spaces including a Vinyl Room and Love Library. Nørreport station is around five minutes away and most central sights are easily walkable. The main gay bars around Studiestræde aren't quite on the doorstep, but they're still straightforward to reach. GayMapper tip: a great choice if interesting design and a lively hotel atmosphere matter more than sleeping right beside the gay bars.