Hotel Review: Radisson Blu Copenhagen
The Arne Jacobsen-designed building of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is a Copenhagen landmark.
After a less-than-stellar stay at the Radisson Blu Charles de Gaulle outside Paris in order to get my 50,000 Club Carlson Gold Points from the Big Night Giveaway, I wasn't exactly looking forward to another Radisson Blu stay anytime soon, but I booked one nonetheless at the property in Copenhagen because it was conveniently located right in the heart of Copenhagen and I used a 20% Orbitz coupon, which brought the price to about $200 a night. While I didn't earn Carlson points on the stay because I booked via Orbitz, the value of the coupon outweighed the value of points I would have received so it made sense to forego the points in my opinion.
First, have a look at the video I made of my room - as you'll see, it was a modest size and a bit minimalistic (again, Scandinavia!), but quite comfortable and a big improvement on my previous experience.
I had looked up the hotel before I went, and I was fascinated to learn that it's something of a landmark in the city. It designed by famous Danish designer and architect Arne Jacobsen who helped create an entire mid-century modern school of design in Scandinavia (he designed the famous "egg chair"), and originally opened back in 1960. Since then, the hotel has been redone a number of times as it became a Radisson SAS and then eventually the Radisson Blu in 2009, though Room 606 (which you can actually book) has the original furniture and fixtures, preserving a colorful, Mad Men-esque bit of history.
The Room
My Standard guest room at the Radisson Blu Copenhagen.
My room had the hallmark blond wood paneling on the walls with some funky light fixtures, two twin beds with white linens and a greenish-beige bed cover that sort of matched the 60's-style chairs by the small breakfast table, a metal set of drawers containing the minibar and holding the small flat-screen television.
My bathroom just had a single sink and a shower-tub combo and was pretty cramped as well, though I did like the multi-colored tiles lining the walls. I wasn't hugely impressed by the size of the room since it was barely over 200 square feet, but since I was only there for two nights and not there to hang out in my room, it didn't really bother me.
I also appreciate that I never need to ask at a Radisson Blu about the high-speed WiFi since it's free as a standard amenity throughout the entire chain.
Public Areas
As I mentioned, I didn't have much time in Copenhagen, so I didn't spend it hanging out at the hotel, though I did note that it had a cute cafe in the lobby and a bar called the Royal Bar. The hotel's signature outlet, however, is Alberto K, a highly rated restaurant up on the hotel's 20th floor with views of the city. Unfortunately, it was closed for a three-week summer holiday during my visit. The hotel also has a partnership with a nearby fitness club called dk Fitness that's over 20,000 square feet and offers some spa services as well.
The iconic lobby of the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen. 60's glamorous!
One of the things I liked best about this hotel was that it was so central in terms of the city and its sights, right in the heart of the Vesterbro district near Tivoli and the train station, and not far from the Stroget, a long pedestrianized street with tons of shops and restaurants.
All in all, I was much happier with this Radisson Blu than my recent experience at the one at Charles de Gaulle in Paris and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat the next time I'm in Copenhagen.
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