Copenhagen’s Former Canadian Embassy Transformed into a Luxurious Villa Rental
The Dinogo Perspective
In late 2022, after a decade of renovations, the expansive nearly 11,000-square-foot former Canadian Embassy in Copenhagen reemerged as Villa Canada, a seven-bedroom private villa offering hotel-like amenities such as round-the-clock service, made-to-order breakfast, and complimentary mini bars on every floor.
The elegant features of the 1918 mansion, designed by Danish architect Albert Oppenheim, have been preserved, including hand-painted wallpaper and a beautifully carved wooden staircase. New additions consist of an annex featuring a casual dining area and an open kitchen, previously a car park. The villa showcases a lavish and vibrant aesthetic—far from Scandinavian minimalism. Guest rooms boast deep burgundy and royal blue hues, while shining English brass bathtubs in the bathrooms contrast beautifully with the floor-to-ceiling marble. A striking peacock green ostrich feather floor lamp stands out against navy brocade drapes in the sitting room.
This villa is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of Danish design. Just visit the office on the second floor, featuring a Finn Juhl-designed desk that once belonged to Godtfred Kirk Christiansen, the second-generation owner of LEGO. (The current owner of Villa Canada is his grandson, Anders Kirk Johansen.)
Additional features that enhance the villa's luxurious home-away-from-home feel include a children's playroom stocked with LEGO sets, a small gym with a sauna, and a private spa room available for guests wishing to arrange on-site massages.
Who is it suitable for?
Groups of up to 14 people traveling together—including multi-generational families or friends celebrating special occasions—can enjoy ample space in this expansive four-story villa during their stay in Copenhagen. Guests benefit from the privacy typical of vacation rentals, while Villa Canada’s 24-hour staff delivers personalized service usually found in five-star hotels, including daily housekeeping and evening turndown service.
Location
Situated on the eastern edge of Copenhagen, just north of the city center, the upscale neighborhood of Østerbro boasts Fælledparken, Denmark’s largest public park, and many foreign embassies. Villa Canada is located next to the U.S. Embassy on a broad tree-lined avenue in the southeastern corner of the area.
Østerbro has a limited number of hotels, making Villa Canada a unique opportunity for travelers to fully engage with the neighborhood. Guests can dine at the world’s best restaurant, Geranium, shop for Danish designs at Stine Goya or Ganni, or grab a famous cardamom bun from Juno Bakery—all just a short walk or bike ride away (simply ask to borrow one of Villa Canada’s bikes).
With few hotels in Østerbro, Villa Canada presents a unique chance for travelers to dive deep into the local culture.
The Accommodations
Villa Canada can host up to 14 guests in its seven bedrooms, each equipped with private bathrooms. The most spacious suites are located on the second floor, featuring varied layouts. The one-bedroom suite includes a separate living area and a private terrace complete with a hot tub. Notable original features, like built-in filing cabinets and high-security locks, remain from the room's history as the ambassador’s office. The deluxe junior suite down the hall lacks a separate sitting room but boasts a large walk-in closet. On the top floor, five deluxe double rooms are available, each with en suite marble bathrooms stocked with Aesop products and elegant freestanding brass bathtubs. TVs are provided in every room, and Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the mansion.
In terms of decor, whimsical wallpaper and striking chandeliers resembling fabric-wrapped sea anemones provide much of the visual charm. Framed black-and-white photographs showcasing the owner's country estate adorn various rooms within the mansion.
Instead of mini bars in the rooms, guests will discover snack stations in the hallways stocked with still and sparkling water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and a variety of sweet and savory snacks. During my visit, I found it filled with Haribo gummies, Danish marzipan bars, and several flavors of chips. Guests can also request specific snack items.
Photos by Lyndsey Matthews
Culinary Offerings
Along with a daily selection of house wine, beer, and spirits, guests enjoy a made-to-order breakfast included in the nightly rate. Breakfast and lighter meals are served in the Orangerie, a casual dining area and open kitchen that was converted from a former car park. In warmer weather, guests can dine al fresco on the spacious terrace. The formal dining room, accommodating 18 guests at a large table, is in an adjacent area. Here, staff can organize private dining experiences featuring some of Copenhagen’s renowned restaurants and chefs.
During my stay, chef Nick Curtin from Alouette, which garnered a Michelin star within a year of its debut, prepared an exquisite 10-course meal for my group. Matt Orlando, formerly of Amass—a restaurant celebrated for its zero-waste philosophy that closed in 2022—can also be arranged to cook. (This is a rare opportunity, as he has been focusing on occasional pop-up dinners through Endless Food Co., his venture aimed at utilizing overlooked food resources.) Villa Canada also recommends top-tier restaurants such as Geranium, Jordnær, and Kong Hans, all boasting two or three Michelin stars.
You’ll discover a private nightclub (yes, you read that right) in the basement, just past the wine cellar. Featuring a bar, green leather banquettes, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system, this space comes with its own entrance for guests who wish to host visitors not staying in the main house. Villa Canada can also arrange for bartenders from the city's trendiest bars. One night during my visit, Geoffrey Canilao from the popular local cocktail bar Balderdash crafted his unique version of an appletini for us.
Courtesy of Villa Canada
Service and Staff
Upon my arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the staff in the main entry hall, where the reception desk is located in front of a fireplace beneath a grand, sweeping staircase. A Residence Host is available at this desk around the clock—much like in a hotel—to assist with any needs, yet maintains a discreet presence, ensuring the villa retains a cozy, private home feel.
During the daytime, the staff's presence is more apparent. For instance, as soon as my feet touched the ground floor in the morning, a staff member promptly approached me to take my coffee order before I even reached the dining room. Daily housekeeping and turndown services are part of each stay (with linens and towels changed every other day to promote sustainability).
Courtesy of Villa Canada
Accessibility
A compact elevator is situated on the ground floor, providing access for guests across all four levels of the home. While some steps are needed to reach the main entryway, visitors can alternatively enter through the nightclub on the lower level and then use the elevator to access the upper floors.
Exploring Beyond
For an authentic countryside villa experience, the owner of Villa Canada offers his family’s Rohden Gods estate in Jutland for rent, where guests can enjoy hikes across the vast grounds, take skeet shooting lessons, or go pheasant hunting. Car enthusiasts should not miss My Garage, Johansen’s upscale car storage facility, which resembles a living museum open for public tours rather than a typical garage.
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Evaluation :
5/5