- The Long Way From Abu Dhabi To Doha: Introduction
- Review: Gulf Air Falcon Gold Lounge London Heathrow
- Review: Gulf Air Business Class A330 London To Bahrain
- Review: Westin Bahrain City Centre
- Review: Etihad Airways Business Class Lounge Abu Dhabi Airport
- Review: Etihad Airways First Class Apartment A380 Abu Dhabi To London
- Review: Andaz London Liverpool Street Hotel
- Review: Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen
- Review: Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen
- Review: Sheraton London Heathrow Hotel
- Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge London Heathrow Airport
- Review: American Airlines First Class 777-300ER London To New York
- Review: Sheraton New York JFK Airport
- Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York JFK Airport
- Review: American Airlines First Class A321 New York To Los Angeles
- Review: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
- Review: American Airlines Admirals Club Honolulu Airport
- Review: American Airlines First Class 777-300ER Los Angeles To London
- Review: Sheraton Skyline Hotel London Heathrow
- Review: Etihad Airways Lounge London Heathrow Airport
- Review: Etihad Airways First Class 777-300ER London To Abu Dhabi
- Review: Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa
- Review: Cairo Airport Ahlan VIP Service
- Review: Qatar Airways First Class 777-300ER Cairo To Doha
- Review: The Airport Hotel Doha Hamad International Airport
- Review: Qatar Airways A350 Inaugural Flight Gate Party
- Review: Qatar Airways Business Class A350 Doha To Frankfurt
- Review: Hilton Garden Inn Frankfurt Airport
- Review: US Airways Business Class A330 Frankfurt To Philadelphia
We spent four nights in Copenhagen, and decided to spend them at Club Carlson properties. Arguably the greatest benefit of the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card is that the second night of every award redemption is free.
That meant we could stay at one Club Carlson property for two nights and only pay for one, and then switch up properties and do the same for the third and fourth night. Club Carlson actually has four properties in Copenhagen, and we decided to do the Radisson Blu Scandanavia Hotel for the first two nights, and then the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel for the second two nights (since it’s a bit more centrally located, and that’s where we’d be over New Years).
The rate options for the first two night were either 1,195DKK (~$180) on a paid rate, or 44,000 points per night.
So of course we redeemed 44,000 points per room, which covered the cost of both nights. While not the most aspirational Club Carlson redemption, it was still a very good deal, especially given how many points I have with them.
Anyway, we arrived at the hotel at around 8PM via taxi, which cost about 250DKK (~$37) for the 15 minute drive.
The hotel has a rather depressing exterior, and the fact that it’s one of the city’s tallest buildings with 500+ rooms doesn’t help.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen exterior
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen driveway
Waiting outside the hotel to the left were bikes which could be borrowed, which I thought was cool (that being said, it was the middle of winter, so I wasn’t about to bike given the extra chill from the wind).
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen bikes for hire
The lobby feels a bit 1990s cruise-shippy, with colored carpet and not much natural light.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen lobby
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen lobby
Reception was located to the left, where we were immediately helped. The associate checking me in was friendly, and had my keys issued within a few minutes. She explained she had assigned me a high floor room with a view.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen reception
To the right of the reception was the lobby bar, a great place from which to play Cards Against Humanity (a game which I learned on this trip, and became sort of obsessed with).
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen lobby bar
The somewhat cheesy decor continued near the elevators, as that’s where the Thai restaurant is located (funny enough, a certain Thai airline’s crews stay here as well).
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen elevators
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen Thai restaurant
I know this is a weird observation, but I kind of loved how there was a screen that showed which floors all the elevators were on, etc.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen elevator status screen
My room was located on the 23rd floor, room 2306. When getting out of the elevator it was a few doors down on the left.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen hallway
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen room entrance
The room was what I expected from Radisson Blu — functional, clean, and nothing too exciting. There was a small entryway with the bathroom to the left and a closet to the right.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen floorplan
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen room entrance
The room featured a surprisingly soft bed, though only had two pillows. As someone that loves to create a pillow fortress, that wasn’t enough, I thought.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen room entrance
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room bed
The bed faced a flat screen TV, and then to the left of it was the desk.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room desk & TV
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room desk
Then in the corner by the window was a chair with a small side table.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room chair
On that table was a single bottle of water and a small chocolate bar. Club Carlson is supposed to offer Gold members a welcome amenity (status I receive just for having the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card), so I’m a bit confused as to whether that was the amenity or not, as I wasn’t otherwise offered one. And this was far from the first time I didn’t receive my Gold welcome amenity.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room chocolate & water
Back near the entrance was a hot water pot with instant coffee and tea.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room coffee machine
Below that was the minibar, which actually wasn’t that outrageously priced compared to what you’d otherwise pay in Copenhagen.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room coffee machine
The highlight of the room was definitely the view of Copenhagen. The hotel is a bit outside the city center (unlike the next Radisson Blu we’d stay at), but one benefit of that is the nice view you get of the city. It really was a gorgeous view.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room view
The bathroom was simple but functional, with a sink, toilet, and shower/tub combo.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room bathroom
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room shower
The room had This Works toiletries, which are reasonably decent.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room toiletries
I spent most of the time either sightseeing or working, so can’t say I checked out many of the hotel’s other facilities.
The hotel does have a “real” fitness club, which is free for hotel guests. In other words, it’s mostly outside members using it. That’s both a good and bad thing. On the plus side, it means it’s nicer than a normal hotel gym. But it also means it’s not 24/7, and hours are limited. Which sucks, especially if you live on a weird schedule.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen standard guest room gym
Radisson Blu Scandinavia bottom line
The Radisson Blu was exactly what I expected. It was functional, clean, and the staff were friendly. But it’s also completely unmemorable. Copenhagen isn’t a great hotel market in general, so it’s actually one of the better options.
And it was an especially good value thanks to the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature® Card, given that I essentially paid just 22,000 points per night.
As I mentioned above, this property is a bit outside the city center. So stay tuned for the review of the Radisson Blu Royal, which is right in the heart of the city.
Have you stayed at a Radisson Blu in Copenhagen? What was your experience like?
@b Lucky is writing a trip report so I would hence expect their to be a report of every segment so I don't really see the point of you sarcasm as I believe my question is a valid one, and by your logic there is no point in him writing them as it is very obvious he flew everywhere...
@no name
@cecilie
You are absolutely right. I guess I have been flying way too much for my own cognitive good...
All the more appreciation for what Ben is able to do with his flying schedule :-)
@beachfan
If going back to Bergen avoid the Radisson Blu Hotel Norge it has gone down hill.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is still good but also fairly pricy. If staying more than 2 nights consider doing a one night payed stay at Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret since it's good and located just 15-20 meters across the square from Radisson Blu Royal Hotel before going back to the Radisson.
Rates booked this summer also seem...
@beachfan
If going back to Bergen avoid the Radisson Blu Hotel Norge it has gone down hill.
Radisson Blu Royal Hotel is still good but also fairly pricy. If staying more than 2 nights consider doing a one night payed stay at Clarion Collection Hotel Havnekontoret since it's good and located just 15-20 meters across the square from Radisson Blu Royal Hotel before going back to the Radisson.
Rates booked this summer also seem to include a evening buffet meal which helps with the cost in Norway.
http://www.booking.com/hotel/no/clarion-collection-havnekontoret-bergen.html
@ FlyingArt - you are confusing Copenhagen and Oslo, it seems ;)
@FlyingArt
Wrong country and wrong capital, you are thinking of Oslo in Norway. Otherwise your comment is right.
@Lucky
Video ads are back Ben
http://www.viki.com/player/1032165v?il=en&sl=en&autostart=true&autoplay=true&volume=0
And annoying as ever.
@ No Name -- Sorry about that. I'll pass forward the report to the tech team.
Ben,
They are in the process of refurbishing the rooms. Last time I stayed (Nov 14) I was given a refurbished room on 5th room -- I have to say the room is *really* nice.
Re the location, I would argue this one is actually better than the other. Plaza is near the train station and the area is a bit ghetto like at night. On the other hand, Scandi is at the...
Ben,
They are in the process of refurbishing the rooms. Last time I stayed (Nov 14) I was given a refurbished room on 5th room -- I have to say the room is *really* nice.
Re the location, I would argue this one is actually better than the other. Plaza is near the train station and the area is a bit ghetto like at night. On the other hand, Scandi is at the other end of the main shopping street Karl Johans Gate and located in a much nicer area, with National Museum and Royal Palace around and all the better bars/clubs nearby. In any case, it's just 20min walk between the two along the main street.
The hotel seems like it could use some renovation...
Interestingly, the Thai Restaurant in the hotel is "Blue Elephant", one of the most famous fine dining Thai Restaurant Chain.
@Oliver
Obviously Lucky took the Eurostar to Brussels and changed to the Deutsche Bahn ICE bullet train to Hamburg and Copenhagen (crossing the Baltic on a ferry). Lucky has developed a fear of flying, so that's the only way for him to get to Copenhagen now.
That hallway or, corridor, looks very clinical. When I need a new liver I might consider staying there ;)
I always confirm during the check in at Club Carlson hotels that I am Gold and I inquire what my amenity gift is. We stayed this fall at the Radisson Bleu Royal and had a fresh fruit basket delivered to our room. Got the same gift basket when we went to Odense, Denmark for a couple of days. Always appreciate fresh fruit.
Great review! We need more on Raddison Blu's. I'd love for you to review more Carlson properties in Scandanavia, London, Paris.
Hi lucky,
I'm just wondering why there is no review as to how you got from London to Copenhagen.
@ Oliver -- Because it's already such a long review and I need to limit the installments to the most interesting ones. I figured the intra-Europe flight wouldn't make for that interesting of a review.
i usually judge a hotel room by its bathroom. this one is really depressing - reminds me of a family/handicap bathroom at a mall or department store
you should have booked on united.com, much better conversion rate from DKK.
;)
Not having status recognised on radisson hotels in Copenhagen is more common than you should think.
I can bet my life savings this hotel has been designed by a North Korean architect. It's so depressing and North Korea-style. (Btw, is NK on your to-do list?)
"funny enough, a certain Thai airline’s crews stay here as well"
Why did you not mention the airline? (especially given that there are 13 Thai Airlines, only one of which flies to Europe/intercontinentally)
@ Abdel Rahim Abdallah -- Hah, figured it was obvious enough.
By the way, I'm surprised at the lack of sharp comment about instant coffee in the room. That's something I would rant about.
Thanks so much for this review. I think Club Carlson reviews are the ones I need the most as I have a bunch of points, and I want to burn them before the 2 for 1 goes away.
I found it hard to use them in Rome, London or Paris given the far superior SPG and marriott options. But I'd like to go back to Copenhagen, and it seems like a great use of it.
The Raddisson's in Bergen were great hotels when I stayhed man years ago.