Tag Archives: denmark

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Copenhagen

ImageThe location

I had not been to Denmark for about a year. It was nice to return at this time of year and enjoy the long days. As you may know, I am a great admirer of Denmark’s social model. However, the same cannot be said about most of its hotels, as explained here.

The hotel is located very centrally, and you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the town.

The room

Branded as the world’s first designer hotel, the hotel was designed by Arne Jacobsen about 50 years ago. While I liked certain features, and although the more expensive rooms may provide more enjoyment, I was globally disappointed with my room, a compact single room. The fan was noisy, the bed tiny and too soft. On the upside, I enjoyed the shower and the free wifi. Sound insulation was also very good.

 

Image

The breakfast

It is served downstairs in the cafe, where I had enjoyed a decent meal the night before (there is also a much more expensive top floor restaurant). On the whole, it is quite disappointing for this level of price. There is a very discreetly advertised cooked option but staff were not very forthcoming about it. The quality of produce is however good, although certain options are surprisingly absent (I was not able to find orange juice) and English translations a bit flimsy in a country with such a good level of English: grape juice was in fact grapefruit juice.

The price

About 250 euros for one night, dinner and breakfast. Denmark or not, this is too expensive for what it is and I will be looking for other options when I return if I cannot get my hands on a well-priced room at the Sankt Petri.

First Hotel Skt. Petri, Copenhagen

The location

The hotel is located near a pedestrian area, with lots of shops, restaurants and cafes. On a Friday night, the area does not feel as genteel as on the other side of town near the old port, with lots of drunken and raucous Danes.

Staff are efficient and friendly: a receptionist asked about the correct pronunciation of my French name.

The room

My room was on the top floor of the hotel, offering a very nice, towering view of Copenhagen. It was quite good to be able to read in bed while enjoying the clear sky at sunset. The bed, a proper double this time, was very comfortable although adorned with the now infamous two single duvets. The room itself was fairly quiet, despite occasionnal drunken noise from the street. Wifi was free and easy to use. I enjoyed the bathroom equally, despite the absence of a shower curtain. I also had to try quite hard to find out how to operate the shower.

The breakfast

Breakfast is served in the brasserie on the first floor, next to the spectacular entrance hall. Although there is no cooked breakfast as such, I still found the selection to be of a good standard. On the day of my visit, I enjoyed: scrambled eggs with bacon (a bit salty), muesli with goji berries, good orange juice, pastries, bread and jam. There is also decent espresso coffee on offer, although it could come out hotter.

The price

At 180 euros a night including breakfast, this was not a cheap option. If I compare it with my previous stay in Copenhagen however, it is actually not this bad value for money.

First Hotel Esplanade, Copenhagen

The location

The hotel is located at the end of the Bredgade, near the Esplanade garden. The queen’s palace and the old port, replete with restaurants, are both within easy reach. Copenhagen feels very safe and cosy; middle-class, but inclusive and open.

The room

After staying at the Esplanade in Berlin and at Club Quarters Trafalgar Square in London, this was a big let down: a creaky elevator leading to a dull corridor with tired carpets, and a poky room with a little bed more reminiscent of student accommodation than international hotels. It looked nothing like the pictures on the website. The bathroom was equally surly, with a tiny shower corner where you have to wash with a curtain in your face, while flooding the whole room. Facing the courtyard, the room was, however, fairly quiet, although you could hear other guests walking upstairs.

The breakfast

Equally disappointing. I would recommend sticking with bread and jam: other offerings look like they have come from a tin. An espresso machine offers barely honest coffee.

The price

At about 140 a night with breakfast included, I found this quite expensive, although I am told the Danish hotel world is often disappointing. If you are a not too demanding tourist, this might be a good start to discover Copenhagen.