Guest Author - Julia Reed Zaic
Winter in Copenhagen. Dark. Cold. Wet. Of all times to travel, it is not an idealistic setting. Yet like you, I don’t always have control over scheduling business events. Fortunately, a warm and friendly classic European hotel was waiting for me upon my arrival to Denmark.
My choice to stay at the Hellerup was actually not mine at all. Accommodations were made for me in advance prior to attending the international climate change conference hosted by the United Nations - which caused all of the hotels closer to the heart of the city to be booked solid. However, having never been to Copenhagen before, I still found the choice to be preferable.
The Neighborhood
The Hellerup area is only 7 kilometers outside of the city center and has an idyllic atmosphere. The train station is accessible via a 5 minute taxi ride, or a 15 minute walk. Also, a short walk to the seaside allows you to see Sweden from the shore if the weather is clear.
Filled with boutique shops and quaint streets, it is an expensive area in which to live for the native Danes, sort of like a desirable Danish suburb. Located across from the Hellerup Park Hotel is a beautiful park which I would imagine during the summer months is leafy and beautiful. For my visit, it snowed heavily most of the week, but I could imagine it during the spring as quiet and filled with Scandinavian air. Still, the snow was beautiful.
The Rooms
The rooms at the Hellerup are very European. Small, yet comfortable. Furnishings are sparse, and depending on the type of room you book, it is just enough. I stayed in a standard double, and it was sufficient. Other rooms have two single beds for sharing accommodations. Very tight for two people together, however, it is clean and simple. Each room has a minibar, television, and small European bathroom with shower. An enviable luxury was the heated floors which were so welcomed during the wintery month of December. For payment, keep in mind that foreign credit cards will be charged a 2.5% service fee if used to pay for your room.
Services
The property has free wireless internet service. If you forget your laptop, there are terminals available for you to use on the third floor where you will also find the meeting facilities. The meeting rooms were spectacularly historic. The décor almost seemed to match that of the White House; candelabras, crown molding, mirrors, and other colonial touches. The atmosphere as I entered each meeting room for a peek was that of diplomacy.
Dining
The hotel has two restaurants on site, Saison and 2900 La Rocca. The former requires reservations as it is THE new restaurant at which many seek a table. The latter, a small and upbeat bar with a lounge and restaurant with amazing Italian food. The owner and chef, Simone, was kind enough to serve me and a handful of colleagues late one evening after the restaurant had closed. Sort of a jetlagged group, the service of lasagna and lovely wine was a gesture none of us surely will forget.
The same serving area of La Rocca transforms each day back to the hotel's breakfast room. The buffet breakfast included in the room rate is one of the best I’ve had. The staff is friendly and the selections cover the gamut of international travelers from eggs and bacon, to smoked fish and cheese. Don’t forget to enjoy the Danish pastries…yes, real danishes. For the overindulgences, there is a minigym onsite.
There are hotels closer to downtown Copenhagen that may be located in more popular areas of the city, such as the royal area, or closer to Tivoli. Yet, Hellerup is a lovely location and the Hellerup Park Hotel is terrific for the international business traveler.
