Les Clefs d’Or Denmark was established on the 23rd of January 1937 at the Grand Café at Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The Danish section translates into “De Gyldne Nøgler.”

Although Denmark is a small country, and our section currently has only 13 members, we are a small but highly engaged and dedicated section within Les Clefs d’Or. Our size has never limited our ambition or our contribution to the international community. In fact, Denmark has had the privilege of hosting three international congresses, all of them held in our capital, Copenhagen.

The first congress was held in 1962, from the 3rd to the 7th of April. The Founding Father of UICH and the Danish President at the time was Mr. Poul Krarup.

The second congress was held in 1977, from the 25th of April to the 1st of May, with a registration price of 250 USD at the time. The International President was Mr. Jean Gillet, and the Danish President was Mr. Verner Lykke Larsen.

The most recent congress was held in 2008, from the 11th to the 16th of January. On that occasion, Mr. Roger Bastoni was the International President and Mr. Arshad Khokhar was the Danish President.

These three congresses are a testament to the engagement and hospitality of our Danish section and to Copenhagen’s ability to welcome and inspire our international Les Clefs d’Or family.

Denmark is surrounded by water. You will never be more than 52 kilometers from the sea, and our approximately 8,750-kilometre coastline plays a significant role in Danish infrastructure, culture and lifestyle.

Copenhagen is our capital, with approximately one million inhabitants in the greater metropolitan area. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are part of the Danish Realm and are represented in the Danish Parliament.

Denmark is also internationally recognized for its quality of life and consistently ranks among the world’s happiest countries. This reflects many of the values that define Danish society: trust, equality, openness, community and, importantly, a healthy work-life balance.

While our section may be small in numbers, Denmark is a country with an international influence that reaches far beyond its size.

We are proud to be at the forefront of sustainability, innovative city planning, work-life balance and gastronomy. Copenhagen is widely recognized as a leader in sustainable urban development, with a strong focus on cycling, green spaces, clean waterways and creating a city designed around the people who live in it.

The Danish approach to work-life balance is equally important to our identity. It is based on the idea that professional excellence and personal well-being should complement each other rather than compete. This is a value we are proud to share within our hospitality profession.

And then there is gastronomy. Copenhagen has become a global culinary destination and an important center of the New Nordic Cuisine movement. Our food culture is deeply connected to sustainability, local ingredients, seasonality, creativity and respect for our natural surroundings.

These qualities give our small Danish section a distinctive identity and provide endless inspiration for the work we do as Les Clefs d’Or members.

Denmark is a very flat country, and I always recommend that our guests explore Copenhagen by bicycle or by boat. Contact any Les Clefs d’Or member and we will be delighted to assist with organizing boat tours, bicycle tours, cultural experiences, restaurants and much more.

Especially during the summertime, Copenhagen comes alive with long, bright evenings. The city’s waterfront, parks, cafés and streets become vibrant meeting places, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the relaxed and welcoming Danish way of life.

And, of course, we invite you to discover “hygge”,  a uniquely Danish feeling of coziness, togetherness and enjoying the simple every day pleasures of life.

Please come to Denmark, discover Copenhagen, experience our hospitality and let our small but highly engaged Les Clefs d’Or Denmark section show you what makes our country so special.