Copenhagen: 7 questions for our hotel reviewer, Sarah Silbert
We were very pleased to update our Copenhagen hotel reviews yesterday, adding several new budget hotel picks, and refreshing our existing listings. Sarah Silbert, our “listings guru” in the New York office, visited Copenhagen last month to tackle the job. We sat down with her this morning to learn more about her trip.
As a first-time visitor to Copenhagen, what did you find surprising about the city?
I didn’t think it would be so compact! All the main attractions are roughly in the same area, so it’s very easy to cover the city on foot.
Did you walk everywhere?
Nearly. I never needed to take public transportation, aside from getting into the city from the airport. I would have loved to rent a bike, but the weather was pretty miserable and rainy so I opted out.
Did you find Copenhagen easy to visit for budget travelers?
With a bit of effort, it can be. Hotel rates themselves are probably the biggest expense, though there are certainly deals to be had. Dining can be reasonably cheap if you forgo touristy restaurants (especially around Tivoli and Nyhavn) for meals at the pizza and kebab joints popular with the locals.
Mmmmm… Pizza and kebabs. Did you have any memorable meals?
In an effort to keep expenses down, I ate meal after meal of falafel schawarma sandwiches. With good reason, too—they’re delicious and cost around DKK 20 (about $4). After my last day of visiting hotels, however, I did splurge on some tasty Japanese fare at Kung Fu Izakaya Bar in Vesterbro.
You deserved it, after visiting dozens of hotels in the city. Which hotel was your favorite?
It’s a tough call, but the Avenue Hotel in Frederiksberg won me over with its lovely rooms and warm hospitality. Hotel Alexandra, which boasts guestrooms outfitted with the work of famed Danish designers, is a close second. However, these are just two of many hotels boasting sleek Danish design and central locations.
Where did you stay?
I stayed at the Absalon Hotel. I had booked a room at the Absalon Annex (which I reviewed), but upon arrival was upgraded to a room at the hotel’s three-star sister property.
Really? Did they know you were reviewing them?
No! Of course not. I told them during check out–and then asked to see a bunch of rooms!
—
Thanks for the great job, Sarah. To read her work, check out her Copenhagen hotel reviews and city guide articles.
About the author
Great thanks for this! I am going to Denmark for the World Dog show this June (2010). We are finding prices are very high for hotels, and pet fees are over $20 a night. We go a car, too… but we are driving to Herning and Frederecia too, so we’ll have to be rather mobile.
I’m checking out more stuff on your site about Copenhagen and Denmark!