wordsmith1

We have never been to Copenhagen and are staying 3 days. We hear the best place is near Tivoli Gardens---any suggestions for hotels? Any itinerary help would be great---we do not want to rent a car but rather would hire a driver or take tours

greg

I think more clarification is needed.

"best place is near Tivoli Gardens". Best for what? For Tivoli Gardens and the main train station, yes, but the Tivoli Gardens is located at the SW end of the core area. Much lies to the north of Tivoli Gardens.

Itinerary? It requires destinations, which is not mentioned. What attracted you to Copenhagen?

"do not want to rent a car but rather would hire a driver or take tours" to go where? Within Copenhagen? Outside the city like the Kronborg Castle or Roskilde?

Dukey1

Oh my, you'll probably get people telling you that you needn't stay "near" Tivoli. The closest hotel, because it is more or less a part of Tivoli is the Nimb. You can read the reviews on Trip Advisor. I stayed for one night a few years ago and I'm not sure I think it is worth the money to be that close. I've also stayed at the Marriott which is within easy walking distance but a lot of people don't care for it because it is, well, a Marriott.

Stick around; you'll get some opinions soon.

HappyTrvlr

We stayed at the Radisson Royal and looked down at Tivoli. We would stay on Nyhaven area if we return, more scenic.

fourfortravel

We stayed for three nights last spring at the Comfort Vesterbro, a five minute walk from the train station and about ten minutes from Tivoli Gardens. For our whirlwind visit, the location was ideal. The hotel was perfectly adequate, clean, safe, and with friendly and helpful staff.

babelic

You don´t mention your budget, but I have stayed at the Scandic Palace Hotel (upscale) and at Cabinn City (budget option). The Cabinn City is a very short walk from the Tivoli and train station.

I have not taken any organised tours, but it is easy to diy-visit several places near Copenhagen. For example I have visited both Helsingør (Kronborg Castle) and Hillerød (Frederiksborg Castle) by train. If you get a Copenhagen Card it covers the train travel and entrance fees to both.

Odin

The Square has a great central location and is a very nice hotel. Radisson Royal if you have the budget is recommended, the Admiral is an interesting quirky hotel being a converted warehouse and is in a good location but not close to Tivoli. Nyhavn is also a good location, have stayed at Nyhavn 21 which is ok if you get a decent sized room. If you rent a car, Radisson Scandinavia is a great because it has a large carpark plus you can park on the street on the weekends without paying for parking. Renting a car is a good option to organised tours.

nytraveler

A car is not necessary for Copenhagen (much of the central area is pedestrian) and in fact would be a hindrance. The central area is not large and easily walkable. But it can be useful for trips outside the city - for instance to Roskilde for the cathedral and viking boat museum or the Castles north of the city (although there are also several castles/palaces within the city itself.)

I would not stay near the train station as there tends to be some explicit shops near that area - but somewhere else - near the town hall or on the Stroget.

Odin

The Radisson Royal is near central station and is not near any explicit shops. I have never seen explicit shops in that area but bow to nytraveler's knowledge about their whereabouts. Strøget is not a particularly pleasant street so why would someone stay there instead of somewhere like Nyhavn. There is alot of construction work at the Rådhuspladsen (city hall square) end of Strøget at the moment and has been for several years.

travelgourmet

It really depends upon what you want. The area around Tivoli is pretty central and has some good hotels - Marriott (a few blocks away), Radisson, Nimb (maybe the best in the city, and literally built into Tivoli's walls). There are some good high end restaurants in the Radisson and in Nimb, and it is relatively close to Vesterbro, which has the best selection of ethnic (read: cheaper) food.

I think the Nyhavn end of the city is much nicer, though. Better selection of nicer restaurants. Better shops. More upscale. Better bars. Just better. The downside is that the hotels, save the d'Angleterre aren't the best. The Admiral is pretty nice and in an awesome location, but there is no AC and the room designs can be a bit awkward as it is a converted warehouse. The Skt. Petri is kind of between Nyhavn and Tivoli and would also be high on my list. Can't speak from personal or even second-hand experience about the Phoenix or the hotels along Sankt Anne Plads, but those are in great locations too.

In general, though, Copenhagen isn't that small, so as long as you don't end up in Frederiksberg or Amager, you can walk pretty easily between everything.

<i>I have never seen explicit shops in that area</i>

If you go to the back side of the station, the historically seedy area has been along Istedgade. There are still some sex shops there, along with some homeless shelters. The area right behind the train station also attracts a fair amount of homeless and heavy drinkers. There are also quite a few grocery stores catering to South Asian and East Asian immigrants. It would not be my first choice of a place to stay, but I used to go to the grocery stores all the time while living there and never felt unsafe.

<i>Strøget is not a particularly pleasant street so why would someone stay there instead of somewhere like Nyhavn</i>

The stretch from Amagertorv to Kongens Nytorv is really quite nice, if overly crowded at times. Even as far up as Gammeltorv, it is pleasant enough. From Gammeltorv to Rådhuspladsen it is less nice, but not unpleasant if you like kebabs.

At any rate, there aren't any hotels on Kongens Nytorv (that I know of), so the closest you'd get would be something like the Skt. Petri, which is far enough away that it isn't an issue.

travelgourmet

<i>For example I have visited both Helsingør (Kronborg Castle) and Hillerød (Frederiksborg Castle) by train.</i>

It is definitely possible to do these via train, but it will be much easier and more efficient to do it by car. With a car, it is especially easy to do a loop and hit both in the same day. There is a Hertz right behind the Radisson Royal and a Sixt (not recommended) and Avis in the same general area. From there, it is pretty straightforward to get onto the highway to Hillerød.

DebitNM

We've stayed at Best Western Hebron a couple of time -- getting really great prices on Hotwire and using betterbidding.com asked for and got a room facing tennis courts and newly renovated.

wordsmith1

Anyone stayed at Kong Arthur? Centrally located?

travelgourmet

The Kong Arthur is in a pretty good location. A bit residential, but not far from the action, near the "lakes". Near Torverhallern, which is a gourmet-type market with some good vendors for quick breakfasts, snacks, etc. Close, too, to Nørreport, which is a big transport hub - Metro and S-Train. I'd still prefer something closer to Kongens Nytorv, but it is a good location.

No idea what it is like inside.

travelgourmet

<i>At any rate, there aren't any hotels on Kongens Nytorv (that I know of)</i>

This was a total mistake. I meant to say "on Strøget". The d'Angleterre is smack dab on Kongens Nytorv.

wordsmith1

We are staying for 3 days and want to be very centrally located---maybe the d'Angleterre?

travelgourmet

<i>We are staying for 3 days and want to be very centrally located---maybe the d'Angleterre?</i>

If the price doesn't scare you off it would be a great choice. If that is too pricey, I like the Admiral or the Scandic Front for location. But, like I said, the Kong Arthur is also in a good location. The core isn't that big, so as long as you don't end up in Amager, you will be okay. If the postal code is between 1000 and 1499, it should be decently central.