Hostel or budget hotel near the Scandic Front?
 

My family is visiting our daughter who is studying in Copenhagen from the USA. We currently have reservations at the Marriott for 3 nights under a promotion that is giving us a water view room with 2 beds for $146 per night. I'm still not thrilled with this location since we have 7 year old with us and I really prefered to be closer to restaurants. I found a new promotion for the Scandic Front. Seems like a great deal for $166 per night for the 3 of us WITH breakfast and free internet. The Marriott does not have free internet access nor breakfast included in the promotion we have. So, for the extra $20, I get breakfast and free internet!!

My problem is that the 20 year old will be staying with us on our last night. The Front can't accommodate 4 in the room but I can get a single room for her for about $150. So, I was wondering if there was a nearby hostel or cheap hotel that one of us can stay in for the night. We're leaving the next day for Norway. I'd have to prepay for the Front so I wanted to see what my options were before I do it.

Thanks.... Sorry this is so long winded.....

To be honest, the Front is not nearly as nice as the Marriott. It isn't terrible, but I think the rooms would be smaller, service is less, and it can look a bit beat-up, due to cheap furnishings used. The location, though, is good. I prefer that end of town, as it is a bit more upmarket than the Raduspladsen end.

As to hostels or cheap hotels, the closest hostel I'm aware of is much closer to the Marriott than to the Front. It is right on HC Andersens Blvd near right next to the bridge to Amager. I have no idea about the rates there.

The cheapest option near the Front would likely be the Comfort Hotel Esplanaden, which is probably a 7-minute walk. Not the world's greatest hotel and I doubt you would knock more than $50 or so off the $150 at the Front (if you even saved anything), but perhaps they have a single cell that goes cheap. There is also a Clarion hotel very, very near the Front that might have a deal and would be worth checking out. Also, look at the Phoenix, though this place tends to price out higher than it should, due to the location.

HI Travelgourmet, nice hearing from you again:-) Do you think the location of the Front makes it worthwhile for me to switch keeping in mind we have the 7 year old? I thought being in Nyhavn was very desireable.... We know another family that is staying at Nyhavn 71 but that is way too expensive given our plans for the rest of our trip. The ice hotel in Sweden in way too expensive but one of those once in a lifetime things!

Hi again, the rates on the Adina are actually lower now than when I checked back in November. I believe this is near the Front. The rate with breakfast is $185. Space for my older daughter on our last night wouldn't be an issue. Is this a more desireable option than the Marriott at $146 per night with no breakfast?

I much prefer Nyhaven to out where the Marriott is located.
There are so many things to see and do nearby and you can walk everywhere. Nyhaven has charm and a nice walkway along the water.

Is the location of the Front better? IMO, yes. But I'm not sure it is that much more convenient. Tivoli, for example, is much closer to the Marriott. Same for Radhuspladsen, which is one of the main squares. The Front is closer to Nyhavn, the Marble Church, and Kongens Nytorv. Both are pretty similar distance to Rosenborg Slot.

As I said, though, I do prefer the side of town that the Front is on, though it has lost some charm with all the construction (a new Metro line) that is going on over there. Kongens Nytorv, in particular, is a mess right now, but this won't be apparent at or in the hotel, just walking around town. Still, this is the much more fashionable end of the Strøget and more pleasant for a stroll. The other primary advantage of the Front's location is a bit more immediate access to dining choices. Granted, some of these choices can leave you with sticker shock, but the closest options to the Marriott are definitely further away.

As for the Adina... It is a really nice hotel, but it is kind of out by itself. The "neighborhood" it is in is residential and offices. There are almost no restaurants in the immediate area and it is a bit of a walk (though not an unpleasant one, mostly through parks and the waterfront) to anywhere of interest. Yeah, it is on the same side of town as the Front, but probably a 25 minute walk. Stay there if you think that the extra space and kitchenette will be of a fair amount of use to you. Don't stay there for the location, as it is not a great one.

This is a really tough call to me. I don't think the Marriott is that out of the way, but I also don't have a 7-yo in tow, and I do prefer the Front's location. But the Marriott is just a better hotel, so it is tough to really tell you what is best.

HappyTrvlr and travelgourmet, thanks again for your replies. I think I've ruled out the Adina. Convenient dining is important for me. Tivoli will be closed while we're there. This is a tough call.... I'll be mulling this over for sure! It would be nice to walk out of the hotel and have immediate access to things...

If stepping out and being in the midst of things is the top-most priority, I think the Front would be the better option. Throwing in the extra breakfast for 3 at a total of USD 20.00, I think it is the better deal with these priorities.

In the end, location is really important.
Plus, we had free WiFi everywhere we stayed in Scandinavia..so I'd go with The Front. See if they offer you any extra perks if you join Scandic's frequent guest program.

FYI - I'm not sure what the breakfast entails, but it may be nothing more than bread/pastries and cold cuts. Danes don't typically do the big breakfast thing. Certainly, it is better than the $20-something the Marriott charges for breakfast, but it may not be all that exciting.

I am used to seeing impressive breakfast buffets at Scandinavian, including Danish, hotels. Maybe not much hot food, but great options for meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, fruit, yogurt, jams, breads, etc. I'd expect the Front to have that, but it might be worth investigating. As for some other cheap, low-star hotel nearby the Front, maybe this one: http://www.hotel-bethel.dk/ . I don't know it, but saw it in a Rick Steves book, I think.

I'd say forget that last option I just posted. It works out to $120 USD per night for a single, and why put your daughter through that when she could have a nice room next to you for just a little more. The Front is really a great deal. If you would really like to save more, though, have her stay at a hostel a mile away or so (there are several official ones in Copenhagen, and some independent ones too) - see http://www.danhostel.dk/ for starters.

There is a nearby budget hotel to the Marriott, the Wakeup Hotel near to Kalvebod Brygge which is the road the Marriott is on. Personally I prefer the Marriott and do not find the location an issue as it is easy to walk to various sights.

bookmarking. Thanks