HI - Copenhagen Amager Hostel

The Danhostel at Amager is a big business enterprise, and it feels like one too. This isn't to say it can't have its niche (and glory for being the biggest hostel in Denmark), but if you're looking for a cozy little place with a group atmosphere, you won't find it here. Despite the dorm rooms and communal kitchen, it feels more like a budget hotel than a hostel. You even get sensor cards instead of keys for the doors. You won't get to know the people at reception here, but they work really hard. Don't be surprised to encounter them doing business with someone else on the telephone while they're trying to help you out. In the end guests are just numbers, but they still want you to leave happy. That said, the place is modern and professional, the rooms are clean, and you get a decent value for your money in city where lodging doesn't come cheap.

Getting here by bike or on foot from the city can be a bit of a challenge the first time because it's set in the middle of Amager Faelled on the outskirts of Copenhagen. In July, the Faelled is fields of long grasses with a lot of bugs criss-crossed with decent walkways. You can take the dirt paths from Artillervej to the Danhostel through the nature area by following signs for Vejlands Allé, but it's best to save this route for a time when you're not lugging your bags around. Public transportation is an easier option. You can take bus 30 from the airport or Central Station to the stop at Bella Center. The Bella Center is a huge shopping complex right across the street. You can get anything from groceries to designer lampshades. When you get off the bus, turn so the Bella complex is on your left, and then walk straight to Vejlands Allé. The other option is the Metro from Kgs. Nytorv and Nørreport Station to Bella Center. When you get off, coming from Copenhagen, go right onto Orestads Boulevard until it intersects with Vejlands Allé. From there start looking far off to the right and you'll see the flags. However, be forewarned that paying for transport everyday can cancel out the pleasure of having found such an inexpensive place to stay.

The absurdly clean dorm rooms have no more than five beds, a table with chairs, and cubbies to put your things in. Bring your own padlock if you've got anything you're afraid of losing. The beds are comfortable, but there's really nothing original about the place, except maybe the warm light-blue duvets with navy Danhostel print logo. Luckily there are large square windows to let in lots of light because the standard grayish-blue decor is a bit blah.

Despite a definite family presence and a closed circle atmosphere, this place has everything you need in its own official form. The upstairs TV room is a great place to watch a movie since it is dark enough, has comfy stuffed sofas, and a large screen tube.

The kitchen is huge, boasting navy or light blue cubbies for every one of the rooms and about twenty electric plates for cooking. The layout lets you know you are, after all, in Scandinavian design territory. Too bad the wiring on all those burners can turn a quick meal of pasta into a long time to wait for boiling water. Only use as much as you need. Or even a little less. Another thing to know is to watch out for cubby and refrigerator cleaning day when all the food is put in a communal box until it mysteriously (and quickly) disappears. This can be avoided by reading the posted fliers that are all over anything you can store food in. Otherwise, you can pick up staples at the front desk. Packets of salt are free.

The bathrooms aren't dirty, but they are used by a large number of people, so they have a tendency to get disorderly at times. Always remember your sensor card or you'll have to stand there till someone else comes. Most of the showers have hot water and decent pressure, although it's not unheard of to encounter one that is freezing cold, so shop around before getting all mad. The architect surely had functionality over feng shui on her mind when designing it because the small-white-and-navy tiled space has a sort of cellblock feel. The other thing is that smoking is permitted in the stalls. Get ready for a smoky ashtray built into the wall even (and especially) first thing in the morning.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review