Absalon Hotel

Absalon Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its exceptional service, vibrant design, and prime location. This family-run hotel, established in 1938, blends historical charm with modern amenities, making it a popular choice for travelers.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Absalon Hotel is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as "fabulous," "excellent," "amazing," and "wonderful." Review scores on platforms like Booking.com are notably high, with specific ratings of 9.4 for location, 9.3 for staff, and 8.9 for comfort and cleanliness. Many guests express a strong desire to return and highly recommend the hotel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the Absalon Hotel for several standout features:

• Service & Staff: The hospitality is frequently highlighted as exceptional, with staff described as friendly, helpful, polite, and going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay.
• Location: Its superb central location, just a 2-5 minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station and Tivoli Gardens, is a major draw. It offers easy access to the city center, shopping areas, and the trendy Meatpacking District.
• Design: The hotel boasts a modern, edgy, and vibrant design, featuring colorful décor by Designers Guild that creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• Amenities: Notable amenities include a highly-rated Scandinavian breakfast buffet, a comfortable lobby bar, bicycle rentals, free Wi-Fi, and convenient services like luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk. The "Concept 21" program, allowing guests to keep their room for 24 hours without extra charge, and "Concept Green" for skipping housekeeping for a reward, also add value.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Absalon Hotel are consistently described as bright, spacious, comfortable, modern, and clean. They feature colorful décor by Designers Guild, often in "Berry" (purple), "Ocean" (blue), or "Grass" (green) color schemes. Guests appreciate the soundproof rooms and thick curtains, contributing to a good night's sleep. Standard amenities include a flat-screen TV, desk, fridge, safety deposit box, and an electric kettle or coffee machine. Bathrooms are typically spacious, with some superior rooms featuring heated flooring and even color-changing lights for a touch of luxury. Superior rooms are often located on the top floor, offering tranquility and potentially better views.

4. Dining Experience

The breakfast at Absalon Hotel is a significant highlight and a frequent talking point among guests. It is consistently lauded as "amazing," "delicious," "generous," and "excellent." The Scandinavian buffet offers a wide array of options, including cereals, cold meats, cheeses, omelets, sausages, fresh breads, pastries (including Danish pastries), and various fruits. Hot items are also available. Coffee and tea are conveniently served at the tables in fresh pots or flasks. The hotel often has two breakfast areas to accommodate guests and manage busy periods effectively. While there isn't a full-service restaurant on-site, the lobby bar is a pleasant spot for a drink, and the hotel's central location means numerous dining options are within easy walking distance.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Absalon Hotel consistently receive glowing reviews. Guests frequently use terms like "exceptional," "super friendly," "helpful," "polite," and "welcoming." Many appreciate the genuine willingness of the staff to go "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay, offering tourist advice and assisting with various requests, from early departure packed breakfasts to retrieving forgotten items. The hotel's long-standing history as a family-run establishment is often cited as contributing to its warm and personal atmosphere.

6. Location & Accessibility

Absalon Hotel boasts an "excellent" and "super central" location in the vibrant Vesterbro district, which is often described as Copenhagen's most creative and lively neighborhood. Its proximity to key transport links is a significant advantage: it's just a 2 to 5-minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station, making it incredibly convenient for arrivals from Copenhagen Airport and for exploring the wider city or even traveling to Sweden. Major attractions like Tivoli Gardens are also within a short walking distance, as are the city center, main shopping streets, and the popular Meatpacking District, known for its bars and restaurants. The hotel also offers bike rentals, a popular way to explore Copenhagen.

7. Value & Pricing

Absalon Hotel is frequently highlighted as offering "affordable luxury" and "very good value" for a 4-star property in Copenhagen. While Copenhagen hotels can be pricey, Absalon often stands out as a quality option that doesn't compromise on experience. Room rates for 'Original Rooms' can start from approximately DKK 895 (around £120 or $130 USD). The added value from programs like "Concept 21," allowing a 24-hour room stay, and "Concept Green," which rewards guests for opting out of daily housekeeping, further enhances its appeal.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring minor criticisms have been noted:

• Noise: Despite generally soundproof rooms, some guests have reported experiencing street or neighboring room noise.
• Immediate Area Perception: The Vesterbro district, while vibrant and trendy, was historically Copenhagen's red-light district. Some guests have mentioned that the immediate vicinity of the train station can feel "a little unnerving at times," particularly late at night, due to the lingering presence of adult shops.
• Room Temperature: A few guests have found rooms to be excessively warm overnight, with centralized heating making it difficult to adjust the temperature.
• Shower Splashing: One review mentioned that water tended to splash out of the bathtub during showers.
• No Full Restaurant: The absence of an on-site full-service restaurant is occasionally mentioned, though this is often offset by the excellent breakfast and the abundance of nearby dining establishments.

Sources

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