Cruising From Copenhagen

The Avid Cruiser’s Guide To Copenhagen Hotels features 10 properties that we think our readers will enjoy when cruising from the Danish capital.

First, of course, you must decide whether to plant yourself in Copenhagen before (or after) your cruise. Or should you save the expense of a hotel and arrive the day your cruise departs? There are at least two reasons for arriving a day or two early.

One is that you never know if you and/or your luggage will arrive before your ship departs. Airlines can be delayed, luggage can be lost. I met a couple on a Baltic cruise three years ago whose flight was delayed because of storms on the East Coast. They spent the next day catching up with the ship, eventually boarding in Tallinn, Estonia. To assure smooth sailing, add an extra day before your cruise as a margin of safety.

The second reason for coming to Copenhagen a day or two early: You’re making a significant investment in your cruise and the cost of air to get you there. Why not make your money perform double duty? Get to the ship and spend some time in one of the world’s greatest cities. I promise you, spending time in Copenhagen, by some measures one of the world’s most expensive cities, doesn’t have to break the bank.

The hotels in this guide span quite a range, not only in rates and location but also in character. Sample summer rates run from $158 per night for two people, with breakfast included, to $665 per night (don’t balk at the rate until you’ve read the review.)

All but two of the hotels are located in the heart of Copenhagen. Skovshoved, situated in a charming fishing village a four miles north of the Danish capital, is a lovely 22-room hotel with an award-winning restaurant, bar and a local pub next door (grab a beer and a Gammel Dansk and chat up the locals).

Also outside the heart of the city is the Hilton Copenhagen Airport, an excellent choice for those who want to “sleep in” before their flights home.

The other eight city-center hotels each have characters of their own. I communicate these differences to the best of my ability with words and photos, but I could use your help. Please add your  comments about the hotels and contribute other useful information about Copenhagen for your fellow travelers.

Thanks for reading — and participating.

Ralph Grizzle
Editor, The Avid Cruiser

The Avid Cruiser’s Featured Hotels

Copenhagen Hotels: Scandic Palace

Editor’s Choice: Best ‘Four-Star’ Hotel

The Facts: In the spring of 2009 Scandic Hotels breathed new life into the renowned Palace Hotel at City Hall Square. The long-established landmark and hotel, built in 1910, got a complete make-over to its rooms, restaurant, bar and lobby area. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: TwentySeven

Editor’s Choice: Copenhagen’s ‘Coolest’ Hotel

The Facts — Situated near Copenhagen’s attractive City Hall and Denmark’s National Museum, Clarion Collection Hotel TwentySeven hangs its hat on being an “uncomplicated” hotel. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Scandic Copenhagen

Editor’s Choice: Copenhagen’s ‘Greenest’ Hotel

The Facts: Like all properties in the Scandic chain, Scandic Copenhagen takes its corporate responsibility seriously. For example, the Scandic chain used to transport 4 million bottles of water annually to its hotels. That was unsustainable, management felt, which is why the chain now invests in the best water there is — H2O from its own tap. In guest rooms, you’ll find attractive hand-blown glass water bottles designed by an Olympic swimmer, who has an obvious affection for water, and a glass designer. Either fill from your sink or from water dispensers that serve still or sparkling. Your cost: $0. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Radisson SAS Scandinavia

Editor’s Choice: Denmark’s Largest Hotel

Facts: As Denmark’s largest hotel, the Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel provides spectacular views of Copenhagen from its upper floors. The hotel features Casino Copenhagen as well as four restaurants: the 25th-floor Dining Room restaurant, with outstanding views; an Italian restaurant, Mamas & Papas; a classic Japanese restaurant, Kyoto; and one of the city’s best Thai restaurants, The Blue Elephant. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from City Hall Square. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Hilton Copenhagen Airport

Editor’s Choice: Most Convenient To The Airport

Facts: Located next to Copenhagen Airport and just 15 minutes from the city center, the 382-room, 5-star Hilton Copenhagen Airport is connected to Terminal 3 by a covered walkway and connected to Copenhagen’s city center by train, metro, bus or free bicycles that the hotel makes available for guests in this bike-friendly city. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: The Nimb

Editor’s Choice: Best ‘Boutique’ Hotel

Facts: The Nimb Hotel is a boutique, luxury hotel that opened in 2008 in the heart of Tivoli Gardens, the amusement park that has been operating in Copenhagen since 1843. Tivoli features buildings in the exotic style of an imaginary Orient: a theatre, band stands, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and amusement rides, including a wooden rollercoaster. In the evening, the park takes on a fairy-tale look as colored lamps illuminate the gardens. The Nimb is the only hotel in Tivoli, and for the first time ever, you can now sleep in Tivoli. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Radisson SAS Royal

Editor’s Choice: Copenhagen’s Best ‘Design’ Hotel

Facts: One of two Radisson SAS hotels in Copenhagen, the five-star Radisson SAS Royal is a registered historic building for the mid-century work of renowned Danish designer Arne Jacobsen, who designed not only the building — Copenhagen’s first skyscraper at 20 stories — but also most of the furnishings within it, including the swan and egg chairs in the lobby. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Skovshoved Hotel

Editor’s Choice: Best ‘Away From Town’ Hotel

Facts: Four miles north of Copenhagen and 100 yards from the sea, Skovshoved Hotel is a lovely three-story hotel set in a charming former fishing village. Rated one of the world’s top 50 hottest hotels (by Condé Nast), Skovshoved Hotel is decorated in a light and simple Scandinavian style with tasteful art that complements the beautiful setting. For an authentic pub atmosphere, you won’t do better than the Skovshoved Pub next door. Have a Carlsberg and a Gammel Dansk and chat up the locals. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Imperial Hotel

Editor’s Choice: Copenhagen’s ‘Coziest’ Hotel

Facts: The modern and elegant four-star Imperial Hotel has been completely renovated recently, with the striking lobby and the restaurant enjoying attractive facelifts. A whole floor of rooms are dedicated to the classical furniture and timeless design of the Danish designer icon Børge Mogensen. Continue Reading »

Copenhagen Hotels: Hotel D’Angleterre

Editor’s Choice: Copenhagen’s Grandest Hotel

Facts: A landmark building overlooking the lovely Kongens Nytorv (King’s New Square) in the heart of Copenhagen, Hotel D’Angleterre is the Danish capital’s grandest hotel, providing traditional, luxury lodging with personalized service. With more than 250 years of history, this five-star hotel is one of the world’s oldest hotels, having hosted a legendary list of royalty, celebrities and politicians. The ever-present line of limousines at the entrance indicates that D’Angleterre hasn’t lost its mojo. The hotel is situated ideally on Kongens Nytorv near the north end of Stroeget, the pedestrian walking and shopping street, and next door to both the metro station and the city’s biggest department store, Magasin. The hotels overlooks beautiful Nyhavn. Continue Reading »

For reviews and a listing of all Copenhagen hotels featured on this site, see our Copenhagen Hotels category.