OK....Even Denmark ideas will be appreciated!

[bonniejoy03]

Any Copenhagen hotel/guest house/apt ideas? We will be going in June. Thanks!
PS- I had been there in the 80's so I guess the place might have changed a little!

[ShiningLight]

Bonniejoy, It was also about 20yrs ago that we were in Denmark and we have fine memories of the time. Before the impact of the Internet upon travel info, I had written to the Danish consulate office in NYC and received much helpful info from them. Also in NYC is the headquarters of the American Scandinavian Foundation, which can offer cultural suggestions throughout Scandinavia. We were taking a bit of a ancestor pilgrimage, as I had heard tales from my aunt of her childhood in Ribe. In addition, a doctor I worked with had spent a year practicing in Arhus and insisted we go there, providing us with contacts. It was early Sept.

We arrived via overnight ferry from UK into Esbjerg, picked up a rental car and drove a bit SE to Ribe. Ribe is one of Denmark's oldest towns, full of charms and welcoming of visitors. We had reservations at the Hotel Dagmar for 2 nights. Although parking in the center of town is at a premium, I don't think we had a problem with obtaining one of the limited spots the hotel has. It is claimed to be the oldest hotel in Denmark - circa 1581. Needless to say the floors slope, rooms are small and there is no competition with any of the Trump or LL properties. But we remember it as being clean and service as helpful. Buffet breakfast was generous European and the dinner formal, but we felt like we were being treated as special guests, not taking the formal good manners as snobbery, but respect. Food was excellent and being served in candlelight on Royal Copenhagen china with silver flatware made it special too.

Almost nightly, a "Town Watchman" gives a tour at 9 pm (?) in Danish & English of the town. If you've got family from the area, he tries to personalize it a bit. In daylight we visited the 900+ yr old cathedral nearby. At that time you were allowed the climb the stairs to the bell tower. We also enjoyed roaming the shops, squares, and seeing the town which is a little museum in itself. Sort of a magical place.

Recently checked TA abt the Hotel Dagmar, and it gets mixed reviews. Have a memory of the Dagmar being more expensive than other places on the trip, but we were treated so well and enjoyed the central location, in the end we did not mind. As you say, things may have changed in the intervening years and different people have different expectations. Being Sept, we were out of the main tourist time, and things might not have been so hectic.

For Copenhagen, you might also check the NYT on-line Travel section, which has reader input.

We enjoyed Arhus too. Great bakery near our hotel, good museums & jazz with dinner in restaurants. By going to a mid sized city & small town, I think we got a different picture of Denmark, than if we had gone to the larger Copenhagen, where my grandfather was born.

With the Danish ancestry, what surprised me was how much "at home" and comfortable I felt in Denmark, even though I barely knew any Danish. After 4 days there though my ears started to tune in to the language a bit. Many people spoke English upon request and in one store a customer helped out. Especially in Jutland, they get a fair number of English tourists. People seemed happily content. Kids weren't whining, nor were adults sour.

Going back again is a goal (this time to include Copenhagen) - hope you have a great trip and fun planning it. I'm a little green!

[bonniejoy03]

THanks so much.....It is fun remembering those times before the internet!! I visited Copenhagen on my own but had a great time!!

[kyshel]

I hope to be in Copenhagen for a short visit late next week. I'll poke my nose into some options/recommendations from our crew...Nice info , S Light.

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks K....Also, ask them if they have taken the bridge into Sweden. It is looking like the trip will be Bergen, Gothenberg, Oland Island. Not sure if we will do one night in Copenhagen...thanks!