The Credentials:
Located in the hip Vesterbro area with its Meatpacking District, the 73-room Andersen Hotel scooped TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice and Denmark’s Luxury Boutique Hotel Award last year—not bad for a country famous for its design.
Decorated with textiles and wallpapers from English Designers Guild, the hotel was opened in 2012 by Karen Nedergaard. It’s clear from the thoughtful touches such as CONCEPT 24—late departure without an extra charge—and a daily happy hour (a free glass of wine between 5pm and 6pm) that hotel management is in her blood; her grandmother (whom the hotel is named after), Erna Andersen, founded the Absalon Hotel Group more than 75 years ago.
Dine:
Is a self-service affair. There isn’t anyone to ask for your room number or guide you to your seat, but there’s a decent health-oriented buffet selection, including breads (think rye and crackers as well as white rolls), fresh fruit, meats, herring, cheese, cereals, teas, coffee and juices. Forget an English fry-up, although there are a couple of bitters to choose from (one of which, Gammel Dansk, is believed to cure some common illnesses).
Sleep:
Our plum and black-accented room (no. 73) was spacious and stylish. Featuring cool Frandsen and Le Klint lamps plus Molton Brown bathroom goodies, our room also had a freshly made second (sofa) bed so that my friend and I had a bit of personal space. A welcome change to the usual twin/double bed arrangement.
There was inclusive water stocked in the fridge, wifi and a platter of fresh fruit plus a packet of nuts and seeds on the desk facing one of the double aspect windows.
Who Goes There?
Young European couples and families.
Out & About:
A Dane had managed to bag me a table at the world’s best restaurant (at least it was still at the top of S. Pellegrino’s list when we dined), the two Michelin-starred Noma. But other restaurants don’t disappoint either—Denmark is Scandinavia’s gourmet capital, with a total of 18 Michelin stars awarded to 15 restaurants in Copenhagen.
We spent a day at the beautifully manicured Tivoli Gardens, which boasts the second oldest amusement park in the world, plus there was a gospel festival and evening fireworks display during our visit. The hippy neighbourhood of Christiana, located in a former military barracks, is also worth checking out for its green light district—‘no photo’ and ‘Please don’t run or it will spread panic’ signs are placed near the hash stands.
The Worst Thing:
The water pressure in the shower wasn’t great, but a friend said he found the same at Copenhagen’s pricey five-star Hotel D’Angleterre.
The Best Thing:
Bang for your buck, and its sense of community. The welcoming and accommodating reception staff encouraged guests to make full use of the homely lobby lounge with its Mac and iPad, selection of board games, magazines, newspapers and free wifi.
