Hotel Kong Frederik has one of Copenhagen's oldest hotel addresses. As far back as the 14th century the address has been visited by tourists from all over the world, the Scandinavians themselves and later celebrities such as John Mayer, Rammstein, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many more.
Vester Voldgade
Vester Voldgade was from the 17th century part of the ramparts that enclosed Copenhagen. Because Vester Voldgade gave access to the center of Copenhagen, there were many hotels accomodating the travelers from near and far in this area. Back then the path along the ramparts was called "Filosofgangen", which was originally reserved for the royal family's horse carts when they were going back and forth to Christiansborg Castle.
The Bombardment of Copenhagen
In 1807, England and France were at war and when the Danish Crown Prince Frederik refused to make the Danish fleet available to the English, they responded with fire. On September 2, 1807, the English attacked Copenhagen, leading to huge fires throughout the city. The five to ten meter rampart wall along Vester Voldgade was badly damaged by the attack and was never rebuilt. Some of the rampart can still be seen close to Hotel Kong Frederik.
Foto: The Granger Collection / Ritzau Scanpix
The Industrialization Era
During the industrialization, the two hotels called “Industrial Hotel” and “Hotel de Boulevard” were renovated and reopened in 1900 as two separate hotels called Hotel Kong Frederik and Hotel Hafnia.
A New Beginning
After many years of disputes between the two hoteliers, the owner of Hotel Kong Frederik took over Hotel Hafnia in 1973. The two hotels were merged into one and since then, the hotel has undergone several renovations to remain the classic English style that the hotel has always been known for.