The hotel is only a short walk from the station (about 5 minutes). During the day the streets around the hotel are quiet and the only people around are other tourists and locals. On a night the hotel is on the edge of the red light district although we actually saw no sign of this during our stay.
The hotel rooms are small but well designed with high quality furniture and fittings. The rooms are clean and quiet.
The staff were friendly and helpful.
Breakfast is interesting all organic and with lots of choice.
We had a lovely stay although have to say we didn't spend much time in the hotel - the weather was incredible so we made the most of it and toured Copenhagen.

I recently stayed here for two nights. The rooms were tastefully decorated, quiet and comfortable. A robe and slippers are provided as well as the hotel's own brand of organic toiletries and a decent sized flat screen TV. The location is excellent, two blocks from the Central Train Station (with trains running to and from the airport every 10 minutes), three blocks from Tivoli and four blocks from the City Hall Square (Radhuspladsen) and the Stroget. The staff was friendly and polite. Breakfast is included and is served until noon, with an outstanding and tasty selection of bread, rolls, cheese, fruit, cereal, meats, smoked salmon, yogurt, juices, tea and coffee. The hotel is located in a neighborhood that has recently become quite trendy, with many hotels, restaurants and boutiques nearby; however if one ventures south of the hotel (in the direction away from the train station), the neighborhood becomes a little seedy. I felt fairly secure in the hotel, though, as a key card is required for ingress, day and night. Overall, I would recommend this hotel and consider staying there again.

Just a couple of blocks walk from central station and you are on the doorstop of the unassuming Axel Guldsmeden Hotel. Access to the lobby area is by keycard only making the hotel very secure. We did notice a few unsavoury characters in the street outside the hotel late at night but there are apartments opposite so locals live in the area.
Check in was swift and the receptionist was very friendly but our first hiccup occurred when we entered our room. We had been given a miniscule "room" with two single beds and not enough space to store two smallish suitcases. A phone call to reception sorted out the problem. The receptionist had confused our name with that of another guest and given us the wrong room.
Our replacement room was much more generous in size, nicely appointed with large windows overlooking the street, a four poster canopy over the bed, with room also for a desk and sofa.

Breakfast was included in our rate and we were happy with the variety but it can be like a game of musical chairs getting a seat. The hotel was very full the weekend of our stay due to a wedding and some guests were getting a little irate about having to juggle breakfast on their laps in the lobby and reception/bar area.
The rustic mexican style crockery is colourful but I had to use chipped cups and plates a couple of times so it probaby isn't very practical.

We did eat dinner in the restaurant one night but it was quite empty, very dimly lit and had no atmosphere. The meal was OK but not outstanding.

I did have some issues with the internet but these were not the fault of the hotel. Similarly the hotel lift broke down twice during our two night stay but these things happen.

The hotel itself is welcoming, comfortable and the staff are friendly and I would stay here again for that reason.

My four night stay at the Axel was a wonderful and unique experience. The room (double for single use) was a tad on the small side but beautifully appointed and invitingly warm. I've read other reviews regarding the quirky bathroom showers sans curtains, though, I did not experience any severe flooding problems. When I initally arrived in the room I was a bit disturbed by the low lighting. However, I quickly adjusted to it and found it to be an integral part of the overall hotel concept of relaxation and warmth. The room was quite clean, though when I bent down to retrieve a fallen object, I was disappointed to see quite a bit of dust on the wood floor underneath the bed--though that is nitpicking as the rest of the room was clean as a whistle. And speaking of the bed, it was very comfy with terrific pillows and duvet.

The hotel staff is super nice and accommodating, and more than eager to offer area directions and restaurant suggestions.The complimentary welcome drink, the free coffee, teas and snacks perpetually available in the lobby, and free internet are great touches. The buffet breakfast is superb--the excellent cheese selection was my favorite item--and is served in a lovely breakfast room. Although the hotel seemed quite filled during my stay, I didn't encounter any of the overcrowded conditions mentioned in previous reviews.

Locationwise, the Axel cannot be beat. Its proximity to the main train station, Tivoli, and the Stroget is fantastic. The air train is a quick and inexpensive way to get to and from the airport. As has been oft repeated, the hotel is located in the red light district but seems quite safe, nevertheless.

It appears that the hotel restaurant has either closed or it never opened. When I inquired about the restaurant, I was given a nebulous answer about a "change in concept." The lack of an on-site restaurant posed no problem as there are numerous choices within close proximity to the Axel.

All in all, I loved my stay at the Axel and will definitely stay there on my next visit to wonderful Copenhagen.