“But it will come. Scandinavia is a sleeping giant,” says hotel general manager.

300,000 readers of the American Travel Magazine Conde Nast Traveler have chosen 48 of the worlds best hotels.

Nobody from Scandinavia.

The winner of Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award became La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa in France. A 40-room hotel just a block from boththe Champs-Élysées and the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré with Carrara marble bathrooms, anti-aging spa treatments, and two Michelin-starred restaurants.

No. 2 The Lodhi, New Delhi, India and No. 3. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Somerset, United Kingdom.

Conde Nast has shared the best hotels in several continents. In the department of Northern Europe, there are eight from Germany and four from Scandinavia. Best is The Thief, Oslo, number two, while Hotel D`Angleterre, Copenhagen is number 10, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen number 14 and the Grand Hotel, Stockholm, is number 15.

“We are proud and very honored that we are on the list of Scandinavias best hotels. It is really something that is noticed because they are people who travel a lot and know something about hotels that have chosen the list for Conde Nast. It is the fruit of hard work from our employees and proof that the renovation and modernization we have made have been successful, “ says Brian Gleeson, General Manager, Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen to TTO Scandinavia.

“Scandinavia is a sleeping giant. Here are many world-class hotels, but they have just not been discovered yet. As more and more tourists come to Scandinavia, the hotels will also be recognized. The Scandinavian food revolution has succeeded. Tourists appreciate food, nature and lifestyle in Scandinavia. It will also penetrate hotels.

I believe that in five years, more Scandinavian hotels will be on the list of the worlds best hotels. Thats what were going for, “ says Brian Gleeson

Break through

“Why do you think its so hard for hotels in Scandinavia to break through worldwide?”

“A lot of the hotels on this list are unique resorts or located in quite unique locations. Some of them are also in holiday destinations such as Greece, France, Mexico, Switzerland and Italy,” says Siri Løining , Head of Communications, The Theif, Oslo.

“Warm countries where they have more tourists during holiday seasons. I think some of the Condé Nast Readers are yet to discover the amazing hotels in Scandinavia. I do think our hotels in the North are up to a great standard compared to a lot of the winners on the list. But the traveler to the region are mainly domestic or Nordic. But good news is that we see the Nordic region is increasing its attractiveness as a tourist and meeting destination for international traveler, so more and more people will discover our true gems. We find three Scandinavian hotels on the top 10 list over Northern European hotels, which is good compared to the many great hotels in the other countries. So I think we are making our markets and getting there. I think another aspect is that the hotel marked is characterised by Nordic Hotel Operations who service the dominant, mid-market segment and when you see the hotels on the World Best 50 list there are no mid-market hotels. Labour cost are high so we will always struggle harder to provide international class service in our region. But we can certainly be up there. Just about getting noticed,” says Siri Løining.

“What should be done? The Nord is fine with food. Why cannot the hotels follow?”

“We have to be good at marketing our unique brands. The Thief has been very good at story telling which has created a lot of international attention and also attracted the curious traveler to discover us and Oslo.”

“Is the poll reasonable? Is it because there is no way of affording as much staff in hotels, as for example, in

Asia or?”

“The poll is about readers / travelers rating their best hotels and hotels they know of. I think it´s a highly

prestigious list to be a part of and one of the goal for The Thief was to reach both the Gold List and the

Readers Award list. We have managed both and are extremely proud because it´s our guests giving us

feedback and ratings.”

“Are there any hotels you are surprised not is on the world list and list of the 15 best hotels in Scandinavia?”

“Ett Hem in Stockholm is a beautiful hotel. I think the new At Six should be on the list as well. Copperhill Mountain Lodge is worth voting for. One of the best ski resorts. In Oslo I do think the Hotel Continental is worth a spot as much as the Grand Hotel Stockholm is. We are very proud we have a classic good hotel such as Hotel Continental. Maybe next year!

I think next year we will see The Ned in London on the list, one of the best hotels in London at the moment.

Hard competition, but a must on the list. And of course The Thief,” says Siri Løining

Proud

“We’re very proud that we have been chosen as Sweden’s top hotel destination and that we are on the top

15 list of the best luxury hotels in the Norther Europe,” says Maya Johansson, Marketing Manager, Grand

Hotel Stockholm.

“Why do you think its so hard for hotels in Scandinavia to break through worldwide. Why are there no

hotels from Scandinavia on the list of the worlds best hotels?”

“Your questions are quite speculative and therefor hard for us to answer. It’s a Readers’ Choice Award so

we can’t really say if the poll is reasonable or not. We are just glad that the persons attending in the

poll and has paid us a visit is satisfied with the hotel experience.”

Condé Nast Traveler readers rate the top hotels in Northern Europe.

#1 Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten

Hamburg, Germany

#2 The Thief Oslo, Norway

#3 Hotel Amigo (Rocco Forte Hotels)

Brussels, Belgium

#4 Hotel Dukes' Palace

Bruges, Belgium

#5 nhow Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands

#6 The Charles Hotel (Rocco Forte Hotels)

Munich, Germany

#7 Grand Hyatt Berlin

Berlin, Germany

#8 Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin

Berlin, Germany

#9 Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski

Munich, Germany

#10 Hotel d'Angleterre, Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

#11 Platzl Hotel

Munich, Germany

#12 nhow Berlin

Berlin, Germany

#13 The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin

Berlin, Germany

#14 Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark