6 of the best…day trips from Copenhagen, Denmark
As we've said before, the Danish capital has a wealth of attractions for visitors and it's unlikely you'll find yourself looking for more during a long weekend. But if you're…
The best Christmas markets in Copenhagen
We've now covered Berlin, Paris, Stockholm and New York in this updated series and today we're heading back to Scandinavia by popping down to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Here you'll find a variety…
Fun in the sun – 4 outdoor activities in Copenhagen
As much as we love Copenhagen (and we love it a lot) we'd be the first to admit that one problem is the weather. Winter is just rotten without the…
Grown-up Travel Guide Daily Photo: Inside Rundetaarn, Copenhagen, Denmark
In 1716, Peter the Great rode horseback to the top here and a car apparently made it up in 1902. But it's also fine to walk. And this is what…
Here for the beer (and the food): Copenhagen, Denmark
Okay, look – I give you a word, you give me the places you think of, okay?
Provided this isn’t some kind of Freudian ruse to get me to admit to something appalling, I’m in…
Beer.
Germany, Belgium…
Quite. Well that worked well, thanks. While Copenhagen may not be the first place you think of when the subject of beer comes up, you really shouldn’t miss out. To clarify here this is craft beer, or microbrewery beer – not the industrial Carlsberg stuff.
Good, because where in the world can’t you buy Carlsberg these days?
Right. Now Denmark experienced a boom in its microbrewery scene some years back, and while there are killjoys who will claim that the golden age has passed there are still around 130 small-scale brewers in the country, with the capital boasting a range of specialist bars, shops and clubs devoted to beer. In fact Denmark remains the country with the most breweries per resident; a nice statistic to add to being home to the world’s best restaurant and happiest people, if you believe all those surveys. Is there a connection? We thought it only fair to find out…
It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it I guess.
A little background information: The Danes don’t really have the kind of pub culture as, say, Britain and drinking at home with friends and family is very popular. Standard bars generally stock only a small range of beers, but the resurgence in beer culture as well as a focus on good food has led to a number of interesting places popping up which combine the two. Despite the pressure exerted by the large national breweries, smaller craft beers emerged and Danish brewing traditions were maintained. Such beers have proved extremely popular both at home and abroad.
Been there, haven’t done that – 5 things you shouldn’t miss in Copenhagen
In our mission to inspire and inform Grown-up Travellers we continue our series of articles containing ideas for alternative things to do and see in well-known destinations. You may well…
Grown-up Travel Guide Daily Photo: Elephant Parade, Copenhagen, Denmark
One of the 102 baby (fibreglass) elephants that visited the Danish capital in the summer of 2011
Hotel Review – Adina Apartment Hotel, Copenhagen, Denmark
The Danish capital has plenty to draw the Grown-up Traveller. Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of Sarah Lund (The Killing/Forbrydelsen) or eat at the best restaurant in the world (Noma), Copenhagen can oblige. There’s all the fun of the fair at Tivoli Gardens and a recent craze for craft beer is also attracting enthusiasts.
Plenty to do for a weekend – or longer – then. But where to stay?
I’m on it. There’s no shortage of hotels or you could look into short-term apartment rentals; but the Adina Apartment Hotel offers a third option. In addition to the facilities of an apartment (fully equipped kitchen, washing machine and dryer etc.) you get daily cleaning and concierge service and there’s a bar, restaurant, fitness room and a swimming pool in the building.
I’m guessing this comes at a price?
Surprisingly the Adina charges about the same as a mid-range hotel. Book early or catch a special offer and it may even be cheaper. Families travelling with children will find an Adina apartment a much better deal than having to book two hotel rooms.
Okay, let’s have the low-down then…
Coming right up:
Adina Apartment Hotel
Amerika Plads 7, DK 2100 Copenhagen Ø, DENMARK +45 3969 1000
Website: http://www.adina.eu/adina-apartment-hotel-copenhagen/home
Email: acph@adina.eu
When?
Late July 2011
Vital stats:
Four stars. Built in 2005. 128 rooms over 8 floors
Location, location, location?
The apartment hotel is located in a new and attractive harbourside development in Nordhavn and is such very convenient if arriving by boat. In any case it won’t take you more than 20 minutes to reach the city centre using the regular bus service that stops close to the hotel. If you so desire you can walk it in about 30-40 minutes and take in the mystifyingly popular and staggeringly overrated Little Mermaid on the way:
As a brief digression when we were returning to the hotel we met two American cruise ship passengers who absolutely had to see the Little Mermaid even though their boat was due to leave less than half an hour later. Let’s get this straight here: it’s a statue. Of a mermaid. And it’s little. That’s it…
What about parking?
The hotel offers both indoor and outdoor parking, but fees are high.
Why choose this place?
We were travelling as a family on a two week holiday visiting several countries so the opportunity to wash clothes was a big plus. Also the rate was good for a one-bedroom apartment; it would have cost us more to stay at a hotel. Our daughter really wanted a pool too, so that kind of sealed the deal.
Room
Three different types of room – or ‘suite’ as they call them – studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom. Studios do not have full kitchen facilities (but do have a fridge, kettle and microwave) or washing machine/dryer The one-bedroom we stayed in was perfect for the three of us but we needed to pay for an extra bed which was set up in the lounge area. The suites are modern, stylish and have everything you need. Washing powder can be purchased in single-use packs. There is a supermarket next door to the hotel and you can even request that your fridge be filled for your arrival.
LCD TV in both bedroom and lounge, work desk, CD player, hair-dryer, mini-bar, safe. All rooms are non-smoking.
Carpets?
Actually yes, but scrupulously clean. I still prefer wooden/laminate floors in hotels but when they are kept in perfect condition I have no real issue with carpets. Could potentially be a problem for those with allergies but I highly doubt it – and of course the hotel is non-smoking.
Bathroom
Modern bathrooms with underfloor heating and complimentary toiletries. Washing machine and tumble dryer (with powder and instructions). Combined bath and shower.
Free internet I hope?
Yes, but only in the lobby area or via a shared PC. Should be free, fast and in every room in our opinion but it will be a while before all hotels offer this I guess.