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Fodor's Expert Review Hotel d'Angleterre

Name: Hotel d'Angleterre
Address: Kongens Nytorv 34, Centrum, Copenhagen, 1050, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
Telephone: 33-12–00–95
Price range: $$$$

Kongens Nytorv 34, Centrum, Copenhagen, 1050, Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark See on Map Fodor's Choice

Jennifer Rigby

Widely considered the best luxury hotel in Copenhagen, this elegant establishment dates back to 1755 and was brought back to its peak with a complete renovation in 2013. With gorgeous rooms and impeccable service, the grande dame of Copenhagen's hotel scene has been a favorite of royalty for centuries and, more recently, of rock stars and other notables. Explorer Roald Amundsen celebrated here after being the first man to reach the South Pole.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The beautiful square that hosts the Hotel D'Angleterre has been the site of construction work for several years as the city expands its metro system, but it is due to be finished by 2019. The noise isn't a problem (windows are triple-glazed), but the cranes temporarily blight the lovely view of the square.

room

Rooms are large, sumptuous and classical, in cream and gold tones with some purple highlights. The suites are something special - particularly the enormous Royal Suite, which goes the whole European princess hog, with gilded ceilings and chandeliers. The beds are particularly comfortable.

bathroom

Bathrooms are large, softly lit and in marble, with bath tubs in most of the suites and heated floors to warm up cold toes in Copenhagen's brutal winters. Products are from the hotel's lovely basement spa, Amazing Space by Laura Bonné.

lobby

The small lobby area, with its attractive central floral display and opulent feel, sets the tone for the hotel. It even smells beautiful, probably as a result of the flowers. Staff are the peak of professionalism, from the friendly doormen to the concierge and reception desk, who manage that golden combination of making you feel both at home and in the hands of professionals.

pool

Central Copenhagen's only indoor hotel pool is in the basement, but banish all thoughts of dingy underground bathing. Beautifully lit and kept pleasingly warm, the large pool is gorgeous, and the daybeds at the side are a nice touch.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The pool closes at 7pm at weekends.

spa

The hotel's Amazing Space spa, adjacent to the pool, has a similarly tranquil, tucked away-feel, and both are free to guests. There's a steam room and a sauna, and the treatments are top-notch.

gym

The well-equipped fitness studio, also in the basement, boasts treadmills, bikes and weights, among other machines, and is free to guests.

dining

The hotel's Marchal restaurant is another feather in its cap. It has a Michelin star and the food, which blends Nordic and French classics, is world-class. Book for dinner. Unsurprisingly, the hotel's breakfast is also excellent, with a-la-carte options as well as a buffet, and its weekend brunch and afternoon tea are also best-in-class.

For lunch, try the veal tartar - it's made at the table - or the delicious squid, cooked with oysters, caviar, champagne butter and radish.

Photo: #balthazarchampagnebar #polroger #hoteldangleterre #hoteldangleterrecopenhagen #champagne #champagnefriday #copenhagen #postbirthdaycelebration / @vsl_vsl

drinking

Has a basement ever held as many secrets as the Hotel d'Angleterre's? Follow the corridor down and round, then back up some stairs, to find the hotel's buzzy Balthazar champagne bar. Denmark's first ever champagne bar has a great atmosphere, top quality cocktails and, of course, a fantastic selection of bubbles.

Head to Balthazar just before or after dinner - 7pm or 11pm - to make the most of the atmosphere.

Photo: #balthazarchampagnebar #polroger #hoteldangleterre #hoteldangleterrecopenhagen #champagne #champagnefriday #copenhagen #postbirthdaycelebration / @vsl_vsl

LOCATION

Getting Around

Copenhagen is a compact city, and many of its main attractions are within walking distance of the hotel. Otherwise, it sits practically atop Kongens Nytorv metro stop, which takes you to the airport in about 15 minutes as well as further afield around the city.

Restaurants

If you're after the best of the best - and staying at Hotel d'Angleterre is a good sign that you may well be - get yourself on the booking list months in advance for the new incarnation of noma (14-minute drive), Denmark's most famous restaurant and still among the greatest in the world. Or for a more low-key but still quintessentially Danish experience, head to Ida Davidsen for some smørrebrød, the open sandwich that is the national lunch dish of choice.

Bars

Sexy cocktail bar Brønnum (3-minute walk) is just across the square. Den Vandrette (10-minute walk) is a cozy wine bar - let the staff choose for you. You can sit inside or outside, overlooking the harbour, in summer.

WHY WE LIKE IT

If you've got the cash, splash it here. In a class of its own among Copenhagen's accommodation offering, the Hotel D'Angleterre is up there with the world's best old-school luxury hotels, complete with perfect service, a fantastic restaurant, lovely spa and buzzing champagne bar to boot.