CapMan acquired the 366-room Admiral Hotel in Copenhagen’s city centre in 2025. Since then, it has taken an active role in steering the renewal of the Strawberry-operated property, focusing on carefully targeted improvements that strengthen operations, respect the building’s history, and enhance the guest experience.
Standing on Copenhagen’s waterfront in a former warehouse dating back to 1787, Admiral Hotel carries a long history shaped by maritime trade and its later transformation into a hotel in 1978. Today, its timber beams and harbour-facing setting remain defining features, guiding how the property continues to evolve.
Since the acquisition in March 2025, CapMan’s role has been to identify where carefully selected changes could have the greatest impact.
Improving how the hotel functions
“As we entered the project at a later stage, our focus has been on ensuring the ongoing development remains aligned with the building’s strong identity,” says Robin Stenlund, Investment Director and Portfolio Manager at CapMan Real Estate. Rather than revisiting the overall concept, the emphasis has been on high-impact adjustments that support long-term competitiveness and operational efficiency.
“In a heritage asset such as Admiral Hotel, where guest rooms were refurbished in 2020, the most tangible impact has come from the repositioning of the ground floor, together with curated outdoor areas and a new pool, creating a more complete and compelling guest experience,” he explains.
Working in close dialogue with the operator, the layout was refined to improve guest flow, strengthen the commercial offer, and elevate the overall feel of the place. In practice, this involved rethinking both how guests move through the hotel and how services are delivered.
Changes were implemented across front-of-house and back-of-house functions. Relocating selected areas has streamlined processes, while adjustments to guest-facing spaces have upgraded circulation and usability.
Individually, these interventions may not be immediately visible, but together they comprise more coherent and efficient day-to-day operations.
Strengthening the commercial offering
At the same time, these changes have reinforced the hotel’s commercial positioning.
Ground-level spaces now enable a more integrated offer, with particular focus on food and beverage, meetings and events, and more consistent activation throughout the day. This reflects a deliberate effort to maximise the value of key areas while staying true to the overall concept.
“The decisions were informed by a forward-looking view of how the hotel can perform across segments such as F&B and lobby activation, while remaining competitive in the Copenhagen market,” notes Marcus Carlsson, Senior Property Director at CapMan Real Estate.
The meetings and events proposition has also been complemented to drive activity beyond peak periods, allowing the hotel to capture demand more effectively throughout the year.
Taken together, these decisions reflect a disciplined, long-term approach that prioritises the right enhancements at the right time, supporting both near-term performance and sustained value creation.
Elevating what guests encounter
The combined effect of these changes is most visible from the guest perspective. New amenities, including a gym, spa area and outdoor pool, broaden the hotel’s appeal and respond to a wider range of expectations. The addition of a purpose-built pavilion, in place of a temporary structure, further strengthens consistency and quality across the establishment.
Importantly, this has been achieved without compromising the building’s character. With heritage as a constant consideration, the result is a more cohesive experience that builds on what already defines the property, rather than replacing it.
A more open role within the city
The renewal also extends beyond the hotel itself, with a focus on strengthening its connection to Copenhagen.
The repositioning has created more open, flexible and inviting spaces that appeal not only to hotel guests but also to local visitors. Together with renovated event facilities and a stronger food and beverage presence, this makes more consistent, year-round use possible.
This shift positions Admiral Hotel as a more active part of city life, with spaces designed for both visitors and residents. “We see the hotel as part of the city, not separate from it,” says Robin.
