Copenhagen hotel

[ally]

DH and I are booked on a Norwegian fjords cruise for May 2019.  We will have three days in Copenhagen pre-cruise.  I still have a lot of homework to do on Copenhagen and the cruise ports, but I am hoping to reserve a hotel and am looking for recommendations. 

I also welcome any recommendations on what to see and do and eat while we are there! 

Thanks!

[scout8]

Following! My parents are celebrating their 50th Anniversary by taking the family on a cruise to Scandinavia & Russia next August. It starts and ends in Copenhagen so we will need recommendations too.

[chimera]

We did these two one before and one after in 2012


www.tivolihotel.com

www.copenhagenisland.com/?_ga=2.259804170.1004018609.1535248913-2128169851.1535248913

Both had public transit very close (they are fairly close to each other) We took public transit to the cruise ship

I’d check recent reviews, but they were both clean and ok sized for Europe when we were there.

I’d have to dig out our activity list. We got one of the Copenhagen passes. copenhagencard.com it included the public transit pass
Did the river tour, little mermaid, changing of the guard and several of the castles, Tivoli gardens (several times - day and night visit)
We did take a trip out of the city to Kronborg (Hamlet) castle and took the ferry across to Helsingborg, Sweden
kongeligeslotte.dk/da/slotte-og-haver/kronborg-slot.html

[maddiepaddy]

Copenhagen is one of my favorite cities!

I’ve stayed at the Copenhagen Island hotel and Skt. Petri. Both are nice hotels, but I liked the Skt. Petri more. The location is better, it’s super close to plenty of great restaurants and many of the sights are walkable from there. It’s also more boutique feeling while Copenhagen Island seems a bit more like a business hotel.

There’s a fun food stall park across the river from Nyhaven (just take the bridge at the end of the canal). We stumbled into Paludan Bog & Cafe one afternoon - it’s a super cute bookstore and cafe. It’s casual but great for a yummy lunch.

The Louisiana Museum is about 45 mins north of the city by train, but is well worth the trek. It’s an amazing building next to the sea filled with fantastic art.

I also love Tivoli, the Carlsberg Glyptotek Museum, the botanic garden, Rosenberg Slot, and just walking around the city. Do check out the Copenhagen Card If you plan on seeing multiple sights/attractions - you can save quite a bit if you’re planning a lot.

The boat tours from Nyhaven are also great. It’s a fun way to learn about the city and see it from a different point of view. The Netto boats leave from the south side of the canal, about 1/4 way down. They’re much cheaper than the tour company that you see first at the beginning of the canal - and they’re just as good.

[expatjen]

Before our Baltic cruise a few years ago, we stayed at the Raddison Blu Royal. It was bang opposite the Tivoli gardens, very close to lots of bars/restaurants/markets and was convenient and comfortable for our family (we traveled with my in laws and my SIL and her family - totally we were 6 adults and 2 kids). We booked 3 family rooms and they were hige and roomy.

[mashup1779]

We stayed at an air bnb in Copenhagen this past April, let me know if you want me to dig up the link. We had our kids with us so it was a 2 bedroom apt.

[dutchgirl678]

Aug 27, 2018 10:44:46 GMT -5 mashup1779 said:

We stayed at an air bnb in Copenhagen this past April, let me know if you want me to dig up the link. We had our kids with us so it was a 2 bedroom apt.

I'd be interested in the link. We are thinking of visiting Copenhagen next year with our two kids.

[mashup1779]

Aug 27, 2018 10:51:45 GMT -5 dutchgirl678 said:

Aug 27, 2018 10:44:46 GMT -5 mashup1779 said:

We stayed at an air bnb in Copenhagen this past April, let me know if you want me to dig up the link. We had our kids with us so it was a 2 bedroom apt.

I'd be interested in the link. We are thinking of visiting Copenhagen next year with our two kids.

Hoping this link works

www.airbnb.com/rooms/15703831

[dutchgirl678]

It works, thanks!

[mashup1779]

I will add, I had 3 prior airbnb owners cancel on me in Copenhagen and I was pretty disheartened..I'm not sure if there's a movement to stop people from renting their places in the city to short term renters or what!

[dutchgirl678]

That is very useful information. It could be that Copenhagen has more stricter rules for who can rent out their rooms and for how long. I know other European cities are cracking down on it too.

[GilliC]

The hotel we stayed at in Copenhagen was fine but forgettable (the friends we were traveling with chose it), but I wanted to say that I’m happy to provide whatever help I can with the Norwegian coastal ports! Where will you be visiting?

It’s a really great cruise destination, and it’s such an easy way to get around the area (compared to driving)!

[ally]

Aug 28, 2018 4:28:11 GMT -5 GilliC said:

The hotel we stayed at in Copenhagen was fine but forgettable (the friends we were traveling with chose it), but I wanted to say that I’m happy to provide whatever help I can with the Norwegian coastal ports! Where will you be visiting?

It’s a really great cruise destination, and it’s such an easy way to get around the area (compared to driving)!

I am pulling this thread from last year.  We will be staying at Scandic Copenhagen.  I think the location will be good and I am prepared for the very small room!

This is what we have planned for our cruise ports:

• Geiranger: Hike to Storseter Waterfall (through RCCL)
  
• Bergen: on our own, I bought funicular tickets to avoid one line, then we will walk around town
  
• Stavanger: Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock cruise (no hiking) through Rodne 
• Kristiansand: Old Town Walking Tour (through RCCL) – will give a nice overview, then explore on our own

Anything awesome I need to make sure I see in one of the ports?  Anything I am missing in particular? 

We leave next week and I am super excited to see Copenhagen and the fjords, and just generally to be on vacation.

[mich1]

May 14, 2019 12:07:35 GMT -5 ally said:

Aug 28, 2018 4:28:11 GMT -5 GilliC said:

The hotel we stayed at in Copenhagen was fine but forgettable (the friends we were traveling with chose it), but I wanted to say that I’m happy to provide whatever help I can with the Norwegian coastal ports! Where will you be visiting?

It’s a really great cruise destination, and it’s such an easy way to get around the area (compared to driving)!

I am pulling this thread from last year.  We will be staying at Scandic Copenhagen.  I think the location will be good and I am prepared for the very small room!

This is what we have planned for our cruise ports:

• Geiranger: Hike to Storseter Waterfall (through RCCL)
  
• Bergen: on our own, I bought funicular tickets to avoid one line, then we will walk around town
  
• Stavanger: Lysefjord & Pulpit Rock cruise (no hiking) through Rodne 
• Kristiansand: Old Town Walking Tour (through RCCL) – will give a nice overview, then explore on our own

Anything awesome I need to make sure I see in one of the ports?  Anything I am missing in particular? 

We leave next week and I am super excited to see Copenhagen and the fjords, and just generally to be on vacation.

I can't answer about any of the other ports, but we have a cruise that leaves out of Bergen in October.  I have not yet finalized any of our other reservations, other than the cruise and flights but have been doing some looking and reading about Bergen.  Other than a city tour, there is supposed to be an incredible public market and I definitely want to visit the Dale factory.

[mich1]

Aug 26, 2018 23:15:39 GMT -5 expatjen said:

Before our Baltic cruise a few years ago, we stayed at the Raddison Blu Royal. It was bang opposite the Tivoli gardens, very close to lots of bars/restaurants/markets and was convenient and comfortable for our family (we traveled with my in laws and my SIL and her family - totally we were 6 adults and 2 kids). We booked 3 family rooms and they were hige and roomy.

This is interesting to know as I have been getting a LOT of ads for Raddison Blu recently since I have started looking for hotels in Bergen.  I am not inclined to stay at a chain hotel though, but it is still going to be an option for us.  

[GilliC]

May 14, 2019 12:07:35 GMT -5 ally said:

[li]Geiranger: Hike to Storseter Waterfall (through RCCL)

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the Storseter hike, because you don’t get to see much of the fjord. The scenery is dramatically different when viewed from above, compared to looking up the ship at water level. I always recommend that visitors spend some time in Geiranger getting up into the hills for the view.

The waterfall itself is only mildly interesting, and the space to walk behind it is rather small. We were definitely underwhelmed, and when I’ve been back since, we’ve always prioritized the scenic overlooks when hiking. There are some nice views of the mountains on the way up to Storseter, but there are lots of mountains. It felt like a shame to be in Geirangerfjord and not have views of the fjord.

You can download the hiking map from the web or buy a copy for around 20 NOK at the tourist info. www.geirangerfjord.no/turkart The excursions typically start the Storseter hike from Vesterås farm, but you can walk up on your own, using the trail A that starts behind the Union Hotel. Follow the road up from the cruise port, and look for the stairs below the church for a shortcut to skip some of the switchbacks. The trailhead is just past the hotel, and the walk up to the farm takes 45-60 minutes depending on your speed. From there, I recommend the easy walk over to the Vesteråsfjellet overlook or the slightly more challenging hike to Løsta.

[ally]

May 17, 2019 8:57:53 GMT -5 GilliC said:

May 14, 2019 12:07:35 GMT -5 ally said:

[li]Geiranger: Hike to Storseter Waterfall (through RCCL)

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the Storseter hike, because you don’t get to see much of the fjord. The scenery is dramatically different when viewed from above, compared to looking up the ship at water level. I always recommend that visitors spend some time in Geiranger getting up into the hills for the view.

The waterfall itself is only mildly interesting, and the space to walk behind it is rather small. We were definitely underwhelmed, and when I’ve been back since, we’ve always prioritized the scenic overlooks when hiking. There are some nice views of the mountains on the way up to Storseter, but there are lots of mountains. It felt like a shame to be in Geirangerfjord and not have views of the fjord.

You can download the hiking map from the web or buy a copy for around 20 NOK at the tourist info. www.geirangerfjord.no/turkart The excursions typically start the Storseter hike from Vesterås farm, but you can walk up on your own, using the trail A that starts behind the Union Hotel. Follow the road up from the cruise port, and look for the stairs below the church for a shortcut to skip some of the switchbacks. The trailhead is just past the hotel, and the walk up to the farm takes 45-60 minutes depending on your speed. From there, I recommend the easy walk over to the Vesteråsfjellet overlook or the slightly more challenging hike to Løsta.

Reading this, it sounds like your advice is to just plan the hike on our own.  Is that correct?  I admit I was taking the easy way out in planning an excursion, but also know we can certainly do it on our own with a bit of guidance!  Thank you!

[GilliC]

If you want to go the easy route, book an excursion that takes you up to a viewpoint like Flydalsjuvet or Dalsnibba (Dalsnibba is impressive if the weather is clear enough, but pointless if there are low clouds and it’s above the cloud line). Or, I believe they've introduced a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus route around the area.

For the hiking, yes, I would recommend doing it yourself as long as you have the time and energy. You have more uphill, since the excursions bus you to Vesterås Gard, and it takes the extra 45-60 minutes to walk up there, but then you can go wherever you want and you aren’t walking in a crowd.

[GilliC]

May 14, 2019 12:33:17 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I can't answer about any of the other ports, but we have a cruise that leaves out of Bergen in October.  I have not yet finalized any of our other reservations, other than the cruise and flights but have been doing some looking and reading about Bergen.  Other than a city tour, there is supposed to be an incredible public market and I definitely want to visit the Dale factory.

If the market in question is the fish market (Fisktorget), keep your expectations in check. It’s become increasingly more touristy and is more a place to eat under tents and buy souvenirs than a functioning local market. And visiting out of season, it’s likely to be even quieter.

Out of curiosity, are you sailing with Viking or Hurtigruten?

[mich1]

May 19, 2019 3:17:47 GMT -5 GilliC said:

May 14, 2019 12:33:17 GMT -5 mich1 said:

I can't answer about any of the other ports, but we have a cruise that leaves out of Bergen in October.  I have not yet finalized any of our other reservations, other than the cruise and flights but have been doing some looking and reading about Bergen.  Other than a city tour, there is supposed to be an incredible public market and I definitely want to visit the Dale factory.

If the market in question is the fish market (Fisktorget), keep your expectations in check. It’s become increasingly more touristy and is more a place to eat under tents and buy souvenirs than a functioning local market. And visiting out of season, it’s likely to be even quieter.

Out of curiosity, are you sailing with Viking or Hurtigruten?

Viking.