Copenhagen Hotel Boom

Last year saw the opening of 1,600 new hotel rooms in Copenhagen and, within the next few years, a further 1,400 rooms will be added to the existing hotel portfolio. This will bring the total number of rooms offered in the Danish capital region to close to 19,000.

If you are looking to stay in a brand new hotel, head for Copenhagen. The city has experienced a massive rise in the number of new hotels within the last decade, and last year was no exception: the city saw four new hotels open with a total of 1,600 rooms.

This summer will see the opening of a further 400 rooms in the new, themed Tivoli Hotel****, developed in a cooperation between Copenhagen's largest hotel operator, the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group, and Tivoli Gardens A/S. The hotel will also function as a convention hotel.

Meanwhile, next door, the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group will open the city's second major congress centre this autumn. The Tivoli Congress Center will have a maximum capacity of 4,000 people, its largest conference room seating up to 2,500. As with the Tivoli Hotel, this new hotel and convention centre will be located only few minutes by foot from Copenhagen Central Station.

In the first quarter of 2011 Bella Center, the largest conference centre in Scandinavia, will also welcome guests to its own hotel. Bella Sky Hotel****, which will be the largest hotel in Scandinavia, will offer 814 rooms. The hotel will be an integrated part of Bella Center, supplementing the existing conference facilities with 32 extra conference rooms, including a large ballroom, with two executive conference rooms located on the 23th floor, together with a Sky Bar.

Also in 2011, the historic, picturesque North Zealand fishing village of Gilleleje, less than an hour's drive north of Copenhagen, is set to expand its hotel capacity with the new, state-of-the-art Gilleleje Spa & Wellness Resort. The resort will offer 200 rooms with views across an 18-hole golf course, a wellness centre and conference facilities for 350 guests.

The Greater Copenhagen region currently offers a choice of close to 17,600 hotel rooms spanning a wide range of accommodation, from top-class, five-star hotels from the likes of Hilton, Marriott and Radisson Blu, to the low-price, contemporary designed rooms of Europe's largest city hostel, as well as a selection of B&Bs.

Furthermore, the Øresund fixed link between Denmark and Sweden means that more than 28,000 hotel rooms are now available in the Øresund Region - encompassing both Copenhagen and Malmö - as a whole, within a radius of no more than 1.5 hours drive from Copenhagen.

New hotels in 2009
Denmark's first floating hotel, Copenhagen Living, opened in June. The hotel is located in the inner harbour just ten minutes' walk from the City Hall Square. Its 12 rooms are decorated by a number of talented young Danish artists, and their panoramic windows afford guests a view of the harbour and city. Plus, just around the corner is one of the city's popular open-air harbour swimming pools. Further information: +45 6160 8546, www.cphliving.com

In July Denmark's largest low-budget hotel, CABINN Metro**, had a soft opening of the final 350 rooms in their latest hotel - the rest of its 710 rooms having been up and running since October. The hotel is located in the city quarter Ørestad, close to the congress and convention venue Bella Center and next door to the largest shopping centre in Denmark, Fields. The two-star hotel is operated by the Danish budget hotel chain CABINN. The hotel offers a breakfast cafe with space for 500 guests; two meeting rooms; a lobby bar; and a business centre. The hotel is designed by the internationally renowned US architect Daniel Libeskind. Further information: Mr Jesper Sander, Vice President, +45 40282539. www.cabinn.dk

On the same site where Copenhagen's new Tivoli Congress Center will open next year, a new hotel has already been in operation since October. Wakeup Copenhagen**, a modern hotel alternative for the price-conscious guest, offers 510 compact but functional, 100% non-smoking, allergy-friendly rooms with wooden floors and connecting rooms. As with the neighbouring convention centre, the hotel is run by the Danish, family-owned hotel chain, Arp-Hansen. The concept behind Wakeup has been to match Copenhagen's 3- and 4-star hotels in terms of concept and comfort, but at affordable, 2-star rates. Further information: Ms Dorte Krak, CEO, +45 45970500, www.arphansen.dk

Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers**** is the newest hotel in town - it opened its doors for guests on November 16. Crowne Plaza has 366 bedrooms and a 3,500 sq m conference centre - the largest of its rooms able to seat 800 delegates. It is adjacent to Copenhagen Towers, a 20-storey business complex with offices and additional facilities. The CO2-neutral building meets the requirements for a Danish Low Energy Class II building, as well as EU requirements for certified Green Buildings, as renewable energy sources provide all of the hotel's energy. Further information: Mr Allan L. Agerholm, CEO, +45 70230630, ala@cpcopenhagentowers.com, www.cpcopenhagen.dk