If you've ever wanted to stay in one of those inimitably stylish Scandinavian seaside hotels - airy interiors, seductive lighting, cosy fires, welcoming bar - then you've hit the jackpot here. It's been a hotel in some shape since the 1600s, although the present building dates back to 1860. Despite being only 30 minutes by bus from central Copenhagen, you feel a world away in this pleasantly sleepy, affluent suburb (think the Danish equivalent of the Hamptons).
Head inside the pristine flowerbox-clad frontage, slip past reception and find a candlelit sitting area with an honesty bar and plenty of white sofas on which to lounge; round the corner, the restaurant invites you to feast on premium Hereford steaks and wines. Upstairs are 20 light-filled bedrooms (plus 2 in a separate annexe), and there's a cosy pub bang next door. Five minutes' walk away, the hotel has a private jetty from where the hearty (and hardy) can dive into the sea for a bracing pre-breakfast wake-up, and slightly further on there's a beach for those gloriously long Scandinavian summer evenings.
Highs
- Easy access to some of the area's best beaches, plus the bus from central Copenhagen stops right outside; bike hire is available, too
- A lovely historic feel, with plenty of photos charting the hotel's long past
- Breakfast on your private balcony, overlooking the sea
- Excellent food, both in the restaurant and the buzzy pub; alternate between them according to your mood
- The rooms are generally large and bright
Lows
- The suburban location is very quiet - not ideal for first-time visitors to the city or those seeking nightlife
- Despite the cosy fires, seaside Copenhagen on a grey winter's day is pretty grey indeed
- Access to the sea jetty and beach is across a fairly busy main road
- When we last visited, some areas felt a little worn around the edges, but we've been informed there have been some renovations since then
Best time to go
Ideally summer, to take advantage of the beaches and long evenings. But if you're looking for a romantic bolthole where you can cuddle up with your partner by the fire, the hotel works well even on the greyest winter day.
Our top tips
The lounge area lends itself to kicking off your shoes and curling up with a good book. There are some to borrow, but you'll need to bring your own unless you speak Danish.
- Boutique Hotel
- 22 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 22 rooms are serene and elegant, with white furniture, crisp linens, a few arty paintings on the walls, and dark wooden floors decorated with rich rugs. Ensuites have showers only (except the 2 Suites, which have tubs as well), and you get Molton Brown smellies. Double glazing cuts out some noise, though you may still hear occasional traffic and footsteps (we were more aware than annoyed).
On our last visit we stayed in one of the Superior Rooms, which are beautifully light and airy. It’s definitely worth paying a bit more for one of these if you can, as they’re set at the front of the hotel with kingsize (or twin) beds, balconies and (albeit distant) sea views. Standard Rooms are smaller, with double beds, and face the car park, though they’re a little quieter as they’re at the rear of the building. The Junior Suites and Suites have large sitting areas, and some rooms and suites have sofabeds that are useful for families.
Features include:
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
It’s no mean feat, but A Hereford Beefstouw restaurant (open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner) genuinely does manage to be smart yet unpretentious - something the Danes do effortlessly well. It specialises in steaks but there are also fish and shellfish options on the menu. Pair your dinner with a premium wine and choose to dine on the delightful terrace, open year-round.
We ate at the attached pub, the Skovshoved Kro (open daily from noon), and would definitely recommend dining here at least once. It oozes character, with a good-value menu that you can wash down with a bottle of Number 16 Ale or something on tap, and during our Saturday evening visit the place was heaving with locals. Portions are hearty - our rack of BBQ ribs, deep-fried pork and homemade slaw proved a delicious way to max out our calorie quota in one go - and there are pool tables for post-meal entertainment.
Breakfast, served back in the main restaurant (but not included in the rates), is a typical but extensive Danish spread of coffee, juices, rye bread, cheeses and meats, with a few hot options such as eggs, bacon and sausages.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- Make like the Danish and hire a bike, then pedal off with the locals to the nearby beaches. Charlottenlund and Bellevue are considered the best in the Copenhagen region
- Go swimming in the sea from the hotel’s private jetty
- Cycle or take a horse-drawn cart around Dyrehaven, a national forest near the hotel which is home to over 2,000 deer
- Head slightly further up the coast to the Louisiana Modern Art Museum - worth visiting as much for its setting amid verdant seaside gardens as for its collection of contemporary Scandinavian art
- Take the bus into central Copenhagen for some sightseeing and shopping - design-junkies should head to Illums Bolighus in the centre of town, a one-stop shop for Scandinavian desirables all under one roof. Just be prepared to max out the credit cards...
- The famous Nyhavn Canal with its colourful 19th-century houses is definitely worth a visit. Have a beer in one of the many restaurants and enjoy the view
- There are plenty of galleries and museums to visit: check out the sobering Museum of National Resistance, which highlights the years under Nazi occupation, as well as the National Museum. The Ordrupgaard Art Museum is also excellent. A 'Copenhagen card' gives access to many, as well as public transport
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cooking classes
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wildlife
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children are welcome - and will love the nearby beaches, deer park and Bakken (the world's oldest theme park, just a short journey away) - but there are no special facilities for them. Bear in mind that a busy road runs past the hotel.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Toddlers (1-4 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
Superior Rooms and Junior Suites can take an extra bed and/or baby cot, and the Suites have space for 2 extra beds or baby cots. Some rooms and suites also have sofabeds, or you can book a 'Family Room' (a Suite, Junior Suite or Superior Room set up for 2 adults and 2 children).
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request for a charge. Guests can bring their own baby cot for free.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Skovshoved Hotel is located on the coast, about 7-8km north of Copenhagen city centre, in the suburb (former fishing village) of Charlottenlund.
By Air:
Copenhagen Kastrup Airport is 17km away.
From the Airport
The easiest thing is to jump in a cab or arrange a transfer. Alternatively, there's a direct train from the airport to Klampenborg; from there you can take a bus to the hotel.
By Car:
If you'd prefer to have your own transport, see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has a car park for guests (best to book a space in advance).
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Copenhagen Kastrup 17.0 km CPH
Other:
- Beach 0.5 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km