It's September 2, 2024 and I'm packing shortly to return to New Jersey on this American Labor Day,…read morehaving stayed at this Palace since August 24.
First real vacation in over seven or eight years. What an incredible choice I made staying here.
It's hard to distinguish my deep affection and unbridled love for Danes and Denmark from just how much I loved staying here.
Well, actually maybe not.
The same qualities I was raised to appreciate and strive to emulate infused every aspect of my stay. Promptness, pristine manners, lively cheeriness and on and on.
No request or inquiry was ever met by any Scandi staff member with anything less than cheery efficiency.
The hotel is spotless yet still bears the regal fingerprints of time - over 100 years standing through Wars and Covid, downturns of all kinds but again the pride of Danes - not arrogant but joyous pride, has proven to be this fine grand lady of an edifice's key to thrive-al.
I walked every hall of this enormous architectural marvel one evening. Discretely tucked away in two hallways were black and white photos of moments of history here - of royalty from Hollywood to London, of greatness. Even Judy Garland stayed here for what became her last concert of her life.
I worked and slept and ate and healed here these nine days away.
I occasionally imagined May 4, 1945 down there in the Rådhuspladsen from my balcony, imaging my mother crazy with glee in seas of freed Danes dancing and singing and crying and being fully alive again after the German Wargrip was loosened forever and her friend Uffe climbed up in the Tower to Jerry rig the electric and explode their five years' darkness in the forever light of freedom.
It's that same esprit d'Danmark that thrums from the townhall square night and day with music and giddy tourists and sun worshipping locals and it's not bothersome or distracting or disturbing to hear but it's instead, life affirming and a celebration of community. Proud of life.
The Danes that run this fine hotel celebrate life and are alive with every cheerful staff greeting, with every dazzling ergonomic modernism (Ike the double sets of thick balcony doors which SILENCE the bells incredibly nicely but when one wants to bathe in the bells' sonorous sounds, one simply throws open the doors) and with every swift little green cleaning of the rooms.
I outright reject the accuracy or fairness of the few minor grumbles I saw in other reviews. Unfair, unwarranted and utter nonsense.
My one challenge was having to find a workspace during my stay. It stands to reason the Dane's work-life balance would have only modest work desks in their rooms but as luck would have it, a truly spacious and quiet conference table is on the fourth floor in the hall complete with electrical
outlets!
As I pack, I'll miss the nine balmy days of August unbroken sun, my nights of infant-deep sleep
on this comfy bed, the incredible breakfasts, the room of a shower, my beloved Rådhuspladsen outside my 100 year old balcony and the great, great joy
It has been staying here.
May the hotel stand for another 100 years and may I return throughout!