Impressively hip double whammy Herman K, Copenhagen & Quan, Malmo

A recent trip to Copenhagen was so quick I was remiss in taking pictures. A shame, really as the Herman K was a great find.

There's no front desk. You, literally, check in at the bar...is this my kind of place or what? The bar, by the way, is the centerpiece here. Decorated in such a funky way to show off its soaring ceiling. I took this pic off their website, it's the only picture on my entire blog site that isn't my own but you had to see it. It also gives you the idea of why it is incredibly popular with guests, locals and tourists.

The hotel's location was perfect for this trip as the friend that tagged along and I planned to walk to all the attractions we wanted to see in Copenhagen that day. Returning to the hotel in the early evening proved how hip this place really is...we couldn't get a table for dinner...no sweat, we're nothing if not versatile travelers.

The room, for lack of a better term, was small. Don't let that fool you though...it was remarkably well appointed for its size. A very industrial look with lots of concrete and grays. Luxury and cool seep out of every corner here. While space was at a premium in the room the marble bathroom and walk in shower seemed giant by comparison. The grapefruit/mango shower gel was a big hit too! The space is utilized very well; so much so that we found it incredibly comfortable to sit and chat which we found surprising since at first glance we thought we'd have to leave the room to change our mind (sorry, how old is that stupid joke?). That's not always the case even in larger hotel rooms.

The rain that evening dictated that the rooftop bar wasn't going to be an option so after dinner at a nearby restaurant, a nightcap at the hotel bar sounded like the perfect end to a great day of exploring. It was at this point things could have really gone south because just then two almost devastating revelations revealed themselves...my traveling companion didn't drink and they didn't serve Grey Goose. OK...it's cool...deep breaths...it'll be OK. The not drinking thing was really a non issue, I just didn't know. It took a couple of suggestions, and a few rejections, for me to decide on a favorable alternate vodka but once one was decided upon the cosmo shaking commenced. The resulting libation was delightfully surprising. Sensing my dismay at my friend's news that same bartender swiftly concocted a really cool mocktail and totally saved the day. It was a perfect nightcap experience after what could have been a disastrous occasion. Kudos Mr. Bartneder Man!

Super cool, really hip vibe...great bartender with ninja skills...awesome location...even if you don't stay there, get to the Herman K for a tasty adult, or fancy non adult, beverage. So worth it.

The next day we headed via train to Sweden. After nearly the entire day exploring Malmo on foot I was just about to say "we need to find a lobby bar" when I looked up and found we were standing in front of Elite Hotel Esplanade. Hence the discovery of Quan.

Let me start by saying I didn't have anything to eat and I didn't see any other part of the hotel with the exception of walking through the lobby because Quan had a pull. First and foremost the atmosphere here is alluring in a dark, sexy sorta way. I found a nice dark corner just inside the door across from the bar. I didn't bother to check the cocktail menu since I always order a Grey Goose Cosmopolitan but even before I did that I was completely sucked in by the decor. Sophistication is an understatement. Dark browns and black add to the warmth of the dark wood and some of the coolest light fixtures I've ever seen. I mean, we are in Scandinavia after all. Yep, I'm a geek...I took pictures of the light fixtures.

I didn't have a lot of time to savor the experience at Quan but I can honestly say some of the drinks I saw going by looked like something out of Professor Snape's potions class. Browsing the cocktail menu (yes, I finally got around to that) listed some of the most exotic things I'd ever seen. A Pink Slipper, a Jade Sour, Show Me The Shochui, Torinoko, Chinese Resuscitation, Blushing Geisha...I really wish I knew which one of those was the one I saw at the next table. It was served with what looked like a white cloud on top but when it's recipient took a sip that cloud turned to smoke. Coolest thing I have ever seen. Because of my very limited time I couldn't ask that neighboring table...well that and they only spoke Russian..I had to get on the train to the Copenhagen airport to catch my flight.

Quan was the perfect accident. But the accidental finds usually turn out to be the best kind. This one certainly was.

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