Absalon Hotel

A white masonry building with arched windows, the Absalon Hotel's exterior is somewhat conservative, but beyond its sliding doors is a spacious, colorful lobby that can be bustling during the day and early evening. Furnishings are decidedly hip with aqua and lime wingback chairs and cushioned foot stools clustered around mirrored side tables. The seating, in front of large casement windows, has views to the street. But one questionable design choice is the exposed industrial ceiling with air ducts painted matte black, giving a dark edge to the otherwise cheery lobby. The reception desk is curved wood with colorful light panels. It sits opposite an attractively styled table with free lemon and mint water. There's a small bar facing a section of the windowed seating area with tall, pointy-legged stools; guests can buy snacks here in the afternoon and evening. The dining area, around the corner from the bar, has rustic wood communal tables, and high back seats upholstered in mushroom brown patterns. The breakfast room is all white tile and bright lights with windows. There's a courtyard for outdoor dining with vast awnings and unfortunate indoor-outdoor carpeting. A lounge with a foosball table opens to leather seating in a niche with books. One cute, clever touch are the elevator doors covered in trompe l'oeil wallpaper to resemble book shelves. There's also a gorgeous swirling staircase with a replica of Copenhagen's beloved Little Mermaid statue at the base. Guests are mainly younger couples, along with a nice mix of families, business people, and traveling friends. 

There are a few sex shops and strip clubs in the currently fashionable Vesterbro neighborhood, once Copenhagen's meatpacking district. Most of the area, however, is given over to cute boutique shops, upscale restaurants, and pretty hotels. Still, there is a bohemian flair to the place, and the hotel is walkable to many attractions. The famed Tivoli Gardens are a five-minute walk. Oksnehallen, the skylit conference center, is a two-minute walk, making the hotel convenient for business travelers. Copenhagen Central Station is also a four-minute walk from the hotel, and guests can take the train to and from the airport (a 17-minute trip) or reach the airport by car in 20 minutes. About 15 minutes away on foot are City Hall Square and the National Museum of Copenhagen. Stroget, the pedestrian shopping center, is a 12-minute drive or 19-minute walk. The famed Hans Christian Andersen statue is an 11-minute walk. Christianborg Palace is a six-minute drive or 12-minute train ride. The Rosenborg Castle is a five- to 10-minute drive. The Copenhagen Zoo is a 10-minute drive or 13-minute train ride. And the Little Mermaid statue is a 10- to 15-minute drive. 

There are many different room sizes at the Absalon Hotel with big windows looking onto either the street or the courtyard. Walls are an elegant, chalky white with detailed trim. Three color schemes dominate the decor: "grass" with blues and greens and some fuchsia and black; "ocean" with blue, silver, and gold; or "berry" in deep purple, plum, and silver. Playful stripe patterns can be found in the drapes and some lamp shades. All rooms have some upholstered furniture that may include deep, plush sofas or stout tub chairs. Amenities include hairdryers, mini-fridges, safes, flat-screen TVs, under-bed lights, and linens by the Danish company, Berendsen. Slippers and bathrobes are available on request. Superior Rooms have small sinks and coffee/tea facilities. Wave patterned tiles add drama to the otherwise simple white-on-beige bathrooms complete with shower/tub combos with curtains and deep tubs. Wall-mounted toiletries are Karmameju. One very unique feature is a touch-activated, LED light box to change the lightbulb color in each bath should guests wish to flex their own design muscle. 

A free, extensive Scandinavian-style buffet breakfast includes standard fruit and cereal but also pate, herring, and an astonishing array of breads and pastries. The bar, which serves light snacks and beverages, provides room service for limited hours. And the spacious, faux-grass courtyard gives a spot for alfresco lounging. A convenience store next door to the hotel is available for extra snacks and sundries. There is "Concept 24 booking" at the hotel, meaning that guests can check-out whenever they wish at no extra fee provided they inform the front desk (staffed 24-hours), in advance. Staff at the front desk can also exchange currency. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and newspapers are free in the lobby. Same-day laundry and dry cleaning are offered for a fee; there's also an ironing room. Cribs and highchairs are available, and babysitting is provided for a fee. Luggage can be stored at the hotel free of charge. There are bicycles to rent for a fee and umbrellas to borrow for the day.