Why book?
With so much good food and design to offer, Copenhagen has become one of the hottest European destinations to travel to. Or—as most major cities on the continent experience heat waves—shall we say, ‘coolest’. With this influx, there’s been a spate of new hotel openings, but most of them are located in the city center, which, though convenient, can get crowded in the summertime. For those looking to escape the hordes, the Park Lane, set north of central Copenhagen, offers a pocket of peace. It’s everything you want from a Danish hotel: slick, Scandi rooms, bikes to explore the area, access to the ocean (a 15 minute walk away) so you can take a daily dip and a restaurant from a Michelin-starred chef.
Set the scene
Hellerup is an affluent seaside suburb, a 10-minute cab ride or 30-minute train ride away from the city center, filled with posh homes with neat gardens. There will be moments when you feel far from the city center but you will probably also feel relieved to escape the bustle at the end of a long day of exploring. When you step off the train or hop out of the car, your shoulders may even drop a little. At the hotel, you’re unlikely to find first-timers to the city staying here. Expect business folk, Scandinavian families, well-to-do Danish neighbors popping in for breakfast or dinner, as well as leisure travelers from the US and beyond, who know about this nook of the city.
The rooms
There are 69 rooms (as well as two serviced apartments) ranging from suites to deluxe rooms, spread across two floors. While all are decked out in the same muted tones–jet black side tables and lamp shades, dark mustard headboards and slate gray bathrooms–some have patios, indoor fireplaces, and lounges, while others are far simpler with a desk and small lounge chair. I stayed in a deluxe room, which is the most basic of them all. It was no-frills but still perfectly comfortable and ideal for one person. There was a small bathroom with glass doors and a shower, a mini-bar, closet, desk, lounge chair and large doors that open onto the street. It also has some of the same offerings as the splashier rooms, including a pillow menu.
Food and drink
The restaurant Yves, is a French bistro from chef Yves Le Lay, who has worked in many Michelin star restaurants. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is one of the hotel’s biggest drawcards; as in, people come to this hotel just to eat. It’s an elegant space with grey banquettes, walls of wine and glossy table tops. Despite being super slick, it feels suitable no matter the time of day. In the evenings, you’ll find locals tucking into fine plates of foie gras terrine or poussin with new potatoes and asparagus. One of the loveliest times of day is in the morning when sun streams through the windows that look out onto the street. The crowd is usually guests staying at the hotel or people from the neighborhood, ordering smoothie bowls, eggs, or typical Danish breakfasts: rye bread, a swirl of butter, slice of cheese, and boiled egg. There’s also a casual lounge filled with soft gray couches, perfect for an afternoon glass of wine.
The neighborhood/area
The one thing you probably won’t stumble upon here is a crowd of people following a guide with a microphone. This is a neighborhood for Copenhagers. You can feel it from the moment you step onto the street: whether you see a group of school kids in the park, people cycling to work or taking a dip at the nearby Hellerup Beach (which you should definitely do). Across from the hotel there’s a lovely park through which you can wander to get to Atelier September, a well-known all-day café. The brand has a few outposts in the city, which are usually heaving with hungry patrons, so the fact that you don’t have to stand in line for one of their famous omelettes or toasts, is reason alone to stay in the area.
The service
The team is low-key, friendly and professional. They won’t bother you too much during your stay, but are certainly on-hand and available should you need anything.
For families
This is a great area for families because it’s quieter and calmer. Unless your aim is to stay close to the common attractions, in which case you might want to stay somewhere closer to the center.
Anything left to mention?
If this is your first time to Copenhagen, I would certainly recommend you consider the location. I visited during a very busy design fair and have also stayed in Copenhagen many times, so I found it quite refreshing to escape the bustle. Getting off the train in the evenings after dinner, especially in the summer when the sun sets after 10 p.m., then taking a stroll to the hotel through quiet residential streets, was delightful. I also loved going for a dip every morning, where swimmers would greet me in Danish.
Strandvejen 203, Copenhagen, 2900
Denmark
https://parklanecph.com/en/