Housed in an impressive historic building dating back to 1882, the Hotel du Nord Copenhagen makes a good first impression. The lobby is warm and inviting, with bright lighting and a vase of fresh flowers in the window, but the worn leather couch and heavy patterned drapes immediately start to make it feel a bit dated. The small breakfast room -- its size means it gets crowded in the mornings and guests might have to wait -- features the same pink patterned curtains found in the lobby and hallways, and complements the matching tablecloths and a colorful display of old movie posters. In general, this is a clean, friendly hotel that suits on-the-go budget travelers just fine, but could use some sprucing up.

Situated in a grand, traditional Danish apartment building a block from the central train station, the Hotel du Nord Copenhagen is within walking distance of all of central Copenhagen's sights; the proximity to public transportation puts even the airport 20-minutes away. Tivoli, just on the other side of the station, is a few minutes away, and the busy Vesterbrogade, with its many shops, restaurants and bars, is at the end of the street, about four minutes away on foot. The immediate area, next to the train station, can feel a bit sketchy at night.

All 65 rooms at the Hotel du Nord Copenhagen -- ranging in size from Single to Family -- are clean and simple, but unquestionably worn and dated. Apart from the small flat-screen TV in each, the vibe looks more 1985 than 21st century, with wooden headboards, solid-colored wool curtains, green carpeting, and brass shade lamps. Still, beds are relatively comfortable (although the twin size in the Single rooms is notably small), and there is free Wi-Fi, a kettle for tea and coffee, safe, and hairdryer. Bathrooms are small and dated, and some guests complain of housekeeping issues. There are no fridges or minibars in the rooms. Safes are small and can't fit laptops, and there is no air-conditioning, but each room comes with a fan. Note that street-facing rooms can be noisy.

The Hotel du Nord Copenhagen has limited facilities. In addition to the (usually) free breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, jams and breads, fruit, coffee, and tea, a handful of wine and beer choices are available to purchase from reception. There's free Wi-Fi throughout, and a computer and printer sit in the lobby for guests to use. The staff will happily help arrange tours and offer restaurant recommendations and travel information. Bicycles can be rented from a nearby provider. Unlike at other hotels in the vicinity, there is no courtyard or outdoor space at the Hotel du Nord.