Paradise reimagined as a romp through purgatory | Chateau Denmark hotel in London

Thirteen bar is now open at Chateau Denmark. Photo courtesy of Chateau Denmark.

Chateau Denmark is a rocker’s paradise in zone one, central London; its theme of artistic self-indulgence is undeniably cool (aka hot). The hotel’s motif of demons and serpents couldn’t synthesize more harmoniously with such room details as black leather-upholstered wardrobe doors, gilded mirrors, plush velvet drapes and snakeskin armchairs. Chateau Denmark is so perfectly in tune to Denmark Street’s vibe, that if any rocker souls are still hanging on to this mortal coil, I’ve no doubt they’ve now found a home.

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L: Two of the most knowledgeable and helpful salespeople/historians ever, pose with their favourite guitars inside Regent Sounds. R: The exterior of Regent Sounds on Denmark Street. Photos by Laura Metze.

A sorted past

Since the 1950s, Denmark Street has been synonymous with music, first when music publishers had offices there and then as the birthplace of an artistic revolution. Elton John wrote music at 20 Denmark Street, David Bowie was often found at number 9’s Gioconda Café (and lived on the street in a camper van according to one source), the Sex Pistols lived above number 6, and The Rolling Stones recorded their very first album at Regent Sounds Studio (4 Denmark Street). The street also had its share of debauchery over the years, but then again, what is rock ’n’ roll without a little drama?

Today there are about a dozen guitar and music shops on Denmark Street stocking thousands of guitars, plus drums, amps, and more. David, my husband and frequent travel companion, is a guitarist and visited every one during our time at Chateau Denmark. His favourite was Regent Sounds, pictured above, and he knows his stuff — work it into your stay so you don’t miss out. With its history of music and its seriously fun wild side, Denmark Street and Chateau Denmark are a match made in heaven (or Hades if you prefer).

The front desk of Chateau Denmark is through the Now arcade. A neon sign inside one of the buildings. Photos by Laura Metze.

Spreading the Gothic love

The hotel has the most unique layout I’ve experienced in over a decade of travel writing. You’ll find their rooms and apartments in 16 different buildings on and around Denmark Street. The front desk is in the Now building at the end of an arcade clad in high-definition screens created by Outernet London. The other-worldly immersion was mind-blowing; the moment I stepped inside the arcade, I slipped into a sea of sound where schools of metal spikes moved about me like fish and time slowed to a crawl. I emerged on the other side with a new perspective.

Spectacular door knockers with a Garden of Eden serpent theme mark Chateau Denmark’s doors. The building is lit in electric purple lights at night. Photos by Laura Metze.

The Chateau Denmark Experience

Each room and apartment sports its own original design, chockablock full of attitude. Ours was the York Apartment. From the fully stocked bar on one end to the opulent padded headboard sprawled across the super king bed on the other, this room screams party. Spot lighting on the polished concrete floors and moody furnishings set a stage like no other room I’ve seen. Around the corner, the stand-alone hammered bathtub stole the show, although the frameless shower’s gemstone green floor-to-ceiling tiles were a solid encore. Our friendly BTLR (butler), who rocked her role in black denim and a white T-shirt, showed us the security camera system in case we were planning a casual party later (we weren’t) and how to get boiling water on demand from the room’s bar (extremely useful as I need gallons of tea daily). The room was a wonder to behold, without a doubt.

The York Apartment. Photo courtesy of Chateau Denmark.

The York Apartment, a view of the bar, custom sofa and faux snakeskin chair. Photo courtesy of Chateau Denmark.

My recommendation

Why not? You only have the one life. Have some fun with it and give Chateau Denmark, London’s coolest hotel by a mile, a try. You can reserve a room via their website, fuss-free.

The York Apartment’s bathroom is enough to make anyone not staying there green with envy. Photo courtesy of Chateau Denmark.

Thanks a million

Here’s a well-deserved shout-out to Milan Churchill of Notion Agency. Thank you for all you did to bring it all together for me!