BACKGROUND The Crowne Plaza Copenhagen Towers opened four months ahead of schedule last November, in time for the G20 Summit held at the Bella Centre, which can be seen from the hotel. It is a carbon-neutral building and incorporates Denmark’s largest solar panel park, with 2,500 sqm of panels producing enough energy to match that consumed by 55 Danish families in a year (170,000 kWh). The hotel meets the EU’s standards for green buildings and is “Green Key” certified. It also houses the country’s first groundwater-based cooling and heating system, which reduces the amount of energy required to cool and heat the hotel by up to 90 per cent. Even the shampoo bottles and toothbrushes are biodegradable.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? First impressions are of a dominating, black, 25-floor tower but inside it’s more welcoming. The open-plan lobby is a grand space with huge grey supports dividing the reception area from the bar and restaurant. The hotel is full of light and feels airy. As you enter, on the left is the bar, Still, and on the right is the restaurant, Storm. On the mezzanine level is the Executive Club lounge and a gym.
WHERE IS IT? In Oresund, a ten-minute drive from the airport and a 12-minute metro ride into the centre. Opposite the subway station is Field’s, Scandinavia’s biggest shopping centre. The hotel runs a free shuttle bus to and from the airport.
ROOM FACILITIES All bedrooms feature décor by Danish design house Paustian – my room had a hip, scorpion-like armchair. All rooms have a flatscreen TV, CO2-neutral air conditioning, a minibar, safe and free wifi access. Club rooms are all located on the corners of the building, while the suites have spa baths, dining and sitting rooms. Club and suite guests have free access to the lounge, which offers snacks and alcoholic drinks, as well as comfy chairs and a separate area for working.
My Deluxe room was on the 22nd floor and felt fresh and spacious. There was a light grey carpet with bright stripy details, floor-to-ceiling windows with pale beige curtains and views over a vast expanse of land. The TV was mounted on the wall, and there was a long desk with EU plug sockets, a robe but no slippers, an iron and ironing board, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
The bed was lovely and, as with all Crowne Plazas, “Sleep Well” products (lavender spray and ointment) were provided. The room was warm so I needed to keep the air conditioning on – because the hotel is so well insulated to save energy, it keeps all the heat in. The lifts were a little clunky and I could hear the road but only as background noise. The hotel directory, including minibar prices, is accessed via the TV so as to save paper. The bathroom had a hairdryer and anti-steam mirror, which worked well, and a powerful shower over the bath.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS Brasserie Storm serves classic Scandinavian fare and sources products from within the local area. It has seasonal menus that change every five weeks. Breakfast is served here and it was busy with business travellers and tourists when I visited. There is a cosy area with dim lighting, while the main section is vibrant and airy – part of the vast ground-floor interior that encompasses the restaurant, bar and lobby.
Storm is open for breakfast weekdays 6.30am-10am (until 10.30am on weekends), lunch 12pm-2pm (closed weekends) and dinner Monday to Saturday 6pm-11pm. For anyone leaving early in the morning, coffee and pastries are laid on 4am-6.30am.
Across the lobby, tucked away behind the huge concrete pillars, is Still bar. It is a peaceful place with low sofas and simple furniture, where people surf the internet on their laptops. It serves cocktails and coffee, and you can order dishes from Storm to eat here. It is open 10am to 12am (1am weekends). The hotel also has 24-hour room service.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There is 3,500 sqm of event space, including two meeting rooms, a ballroom with a capacity of 800 people theatre-style, and a terrace for 200 guests. The business centre is open day and night.
LEISURE FACILITIES The 24-hour gym features machines with built-in TV screens, and during my stay, there were two electric bikes in the lobby which guests could ride to produce a little energy in exchange for a free meal.
VERDICT A great experience – clean and bright, suiting both business and leisure travellers. It’s good to know being green does not mean saying goodbye to any comforts. The staff were helpful.
Felicity Cousins
FACT FILE
- HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 321 Deluxe rooms (28 sqm), two accessible rooms (33 sqm), 39 Club rooms (33 sqm) and four suites (60 sqm).
- ROOM HIGHLIGHTS Simple, practical design, free wifi and the “Sleep Well” kit.
- PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in October started from Kr1,271 (£140) for a Deluxe room.
- CONTACT Crowne Plaza Hotel Copenhagen Towers, Oerestads Boulevard; tel +45 8877 6655; ichotelsgroup.com
