An experts eye on Copenhagen

Copenhagen – the capital of Denmark, is a compact country, meaning it is easy to get around and make trips to the country and back again in a very short space of time. The city, which originated as a fishing village and grew to be capital of the Danish Empire, is typified by palaces, copper-roofed town houses and atmospheric cobbled squares.

Paula Calton shares her insight into this destination and the different venues you might want to consider for future events…

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), recently ranked Copenhagen as the 7^th largest conference city and the city is not just doing well its also expanding quickly.

Comwell Copenhagen Portside

In Nordhavn, Copenhagen’s newest dockland neighbourhood, the Comwell Copenhagen Portside is set to open next year. The new conference hotel will be designed to complement the existing marina environment and will offer sea views. The hotel will feature 484 rooms in addition to 18 conference and meeting facilities. There will also be a bar and restaurant on the ground floor facing the water and there are plans to establish a water taxi service to bring visitors into town via the waterways. The new conference hotel will be designed to complement the existing marina environment and will offer sea views.

Villa Copenhagen – new 5-star hotel

Copenhagen’s former central post office is set to be transformed into a five-star hotel.

The heritage building from 1912 will offer 390 rooms and suites, fitness centre and relax areas with pool, 5 different restaurant and bar concepts in addition to a modern conference hall seating up to 1200 delegates and eight executive meeting rooms. The philosophy of Villa Copenhagen is “sustainable luxury” with an emphasis on curbing food waste and single-use plastics. The hotel therefore seeks to offer a different kind of informal service than regular 5-star hotels. Set to open in early 2020 the hotel is a neighbour to Tivoli Gardens, one of Copenhagen’s major tourist attractions. Also with its location next to the Copenhagen Central Station, the hotel can be reached by direct shuttle train from the airport.

Copenhagen has two of the world’s top five best restaurants

When the World’s Best Restaurants were recently announced, Denmark’s capital placed not just one but TWO restaurants in the top five.

Restaurant Alchemist

After spending 50,000 chef hours preparing the menus and re-purposing a former shipyard production facility using 200 tons of steel, Restaurant Alchemist is ready to launch what is rumoured to be the biggest culinary sensation in Copenhagen in years.

Headed by chef Rasmus Munch, the gourmet restaurant is described an artistic/theatrical experience that invites diners to experience a 50-dish menu described as “holistic cuisine” created by 4 different kitchens, including their dedicated chocolate kitchen. A total of 30 chefs and 20 waiters will tend to 40 guests during the evening sitting. Headed by chef Rasmus Munch, the gourmet restaurant is described an artistic/theatrical experience that invites diners to experience a 50-dish menu described as “holistic cuisine” created by 4 different kitchens, including their dedicated chocolate kitchen. A total of 30 chefs and 20 waiters will tend to 40 guests during the evening sitting.

Boltens Food Court

A new player has been added to Copenhagen’s street food market. Boltens Gård (a historic and cosy courtyard near the King’s New Square) opened its doors in April, offering both Danish and international dishes from 19 different stalls.

Buildings in a historic courtyard from the 1700s next to Kongens Nytorv square have been re-adapted to create the city’s largest food court, featuring 19 food stalls in addition to bars on several floors, totalling 4,000 m2 of indoor space. In addition, there is a cobble stoned courtyard (1,500m2) with 1,000 seatings. Three of the food stalls will serve Danish cuisine and the remaining will serve food from around the world.

Beyond the Capital

Not only Copenhagen is having a growth spurt. In Aarhus, Denmark’s second city, new hotels and restaurants are rapidly shooting up.

Radisson RED

Scandinavia’s first hotel under the Radisson RED label is set to open in central Aarhus, offering 78 rooms, meeting and event facilities, a restaurant, and a gym.

The new brand by Radisson Hospitality AB seeks to appeal to Millennial and Gen Z generations, offering small but comfortable rooms, select services and a playful design.

As a novelty, guests will be able to check in and out – and even open their hotel room doors – using the Radisson RED hotel app. Radisson RED is the latest addition to the Radisson Hotel Group brand portfolio.

Radisson RED Aarhus will be located by the City Hall Square within easy walking distance of the Aarhus Central Station, the Scandinavian Centre.

Restaurant KP5 opens in Aarhus

Aarhus’ new harbour front is rapidly developing into a new designer dockland. Among the newcomers is the KP5 brasserie, which is located by the marina.

Events can be hosted in combination with their Vin Danmark and Hantwerk facilities, which along with the brasserie boast a max capacity of seats 300 outside. The restaurant offers French inspired dishes in newly renovated rooms. The food is seasonal and focuses on high quality produce. From the restaurant you have a unique view of the marina and harbour life.

Restaurant Ghrelin

One of the latest gourmet offerings to open in Aarhus, Restaurant Ghrelin is named after the human “hunger hormone”. Located in the city’s new dockland developments on Aarhus Ø, Ghrelin is headed by two of the city’s most celebrated chefs, Anders Kuk Kristensen and Nicklas Friis Nielsen.

The 30-seat gourmet restaurant is described in the Michelin Guide as “A sleek, modern two-roomed restaurant with a semi-open kitchen and confident friendly service.” Ghrelin offers 3, 5 and 7-course tasting menus with an emphasis on organic produce.