Whether you’re seeking experiences surrounded by beautiful nature, or a vibrant city break of great food, culture, history, and nightlife, Denmark’s bustling seaside city Aarhus has so much to offer.
The unpretentious, easy-going, and hospitable ambiance that radiates through Aarhus’s streets brings a young spirit to an old heart, with a range of outdoor activities on your doorstep.
The city’s hotels are embedded within a plethora of lauded restaurants, quirky corners, and architectural landmarks, and evoke a graceful atmosphere. From Scandi-style boutiques to luxury five-star havens, here are the best cool and unusual hotels in Aarhus, Denmark (in no particular order)…
1. Ferdinand Hotel – Bar – Restaurant – a cool, cosy and chic boutique hotel in a location perfect for Millennials and Gen Zs
Making a name for itself as a restaurant and evolving into a slick, urban hotel, The Ferdinand is a stunning haven located in close proximity to all the shops, bars, and attractions of Aarhus centre.
The smart, spacious suites boast mostly monochromatic décor and bed heads made from blown-up black and white photos, while the apartments offer balconies and fully equipped kitchen areas.
The restaurant still serves as a local favourite, and it adds a Nordic twist to a classic French brasserie style. A charming feature is the little lounge area next to the reception, which invites you to savour a pre-dinner drink on the pavements in summer.
2. Hotel Atlantic – a trendy, contemporary and hip pet-friendly accommodation located on the waterfront within walking distance of Store Torv Square
Peacefully situated down by the waterfront, Hotel Atlantic welcomes you through large glass doors into a lobby caressed by relaxing music and a friendly smile from the staff.
Check-in is made very simple through a guest app, where you will receive a digital key for your room. This is one of many tech-forward initiatives carried out by this modern hotel. Dark wood panelling, hip décor, and potted plants give Hotel Atlantic’s communal space a distinctive boutique charm, which extends into the soothing, cocooning guestrooms.
Catering to the cool crowd, here you can savour Italian delicacies at the on-site restaurant Grappa Al Porto, before relaxing with a Danish beer in the lobby bar.
To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Atlantic
3. SOFS boutique hotel – an art-deco, charming and petite accommodation located in the centre of the hip and quirky Latin Quarter
Here we have a small boutique hotel located in the heart of the iconic and hip Latin Quarter, one of Aarhus’s oldest areas.
The surrounding neighbourhood is a place where the pulse can be felt, with its cobbled streets, quirky townhouses, and vibrant cafés offering a totally unique atmosphere.
A Southern ambiance fills the whole neighbourhood on a warm summer day, and the SOFS’s large, cosy courtyard captures the spirit effortlessly.
Here, every lantern, garden pot, and plant is a quirky addition to the serene ambiance, and the patio heaters make it a place where you can unwind all year round.
4. Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Aarhus – a newly renovated, award-winning and stylish hotel surrounded by local popular attractions
Often crowned the ‘Best Hotel in Denmark Outside Copenhagen’ at the Danish Travel Awards, the 1990’s-built Radisson Blu invites travellers into a lofty glass atrium where sided lifts glide up to stunning guestrooms.
A recent transformation has turned the old corporate look into a modern Nordic style with soft greys, low-slung filament lamps, and hanging plants embellishing the interiors.
A stand-out feature of the hotel is the board of plaques by the lifts, which lists previous celebrity guests. The guestrooms offer large HDTV’s with Miracast and Apple AirPlay streaming facilities, and convenient accessories to guarantee a cosy stay.
The restaurant bar Raa shares the open-plan ground floor with the lobby area, and offers a modern Nordic twist on classic French cuisine.
5. Villa Provence – a unique, French-inspired and Instagrammable boutique accommodation perfect for a couple’s romantic getaway
Villa Provence, a romantic hotel which takes its design cues from Southern France, is a favourite amongst celebs and VIPs.
Lashings of charm, colour, and character will greet you upon entrance, before the warm, elegant rooms set around a pretty courtyard garden will soothe the soul.
The hotel’s style is a unique contrast to Scandi minimalism, with beautiful antique chandeliers and a fabulous collection of retro French film posters lining the walls.
The lounge is the perfect spot for an Instagram or magazine shoot, owing to its comfy floral sofas, gleaming white-painted wooden floors, and huge pile of coffee table books.
To book, check prices or availability for Villa Provence
6. Hotel Oasia Aarhus City – an elegant, upscale boutique accommodation located in the heart of Aarhus
Boasting a quiet yet central location, this design-led boutique hotel welcomes you through a classy façade into its clean-lined, clutter-free interiors, setting an instantly calming ambiance.
Slatted oak and marble ornate the lobby area, while the lounge embraces a mid-century ‘Scandi-chic’ style through an idiosyncratic variety of low-slung lights, polished concrete floors, and comfy rugs.
The bright guestrooms are also kitted out in typically Scandinavian décor, harmonized with pale plank floorboards, snow-white walls, and fresh navy-and-white fabrics.
Downstairs there is a fitness room, replete with trendsetting equipment, and you can also hire bikes on-site for an epic adventure around the city’s eclectic streets.
7. Hotel Royal – one of the oldest hotels in Aarhus providing guests with an upscale, historic and elegant stay
Hotel Royal, Aarhus’s most magnificent hotel, is the very antithesis of Scandi minimalism, and is sprinkled with eccentricity to form a bold, exclusive personality of it own.
From the caryatids supporting the glass canopy outside to the enormous fish tank that serves as the reception desk, the endearing character of the hotel reflects its design mission to create something as dazzling and lavish as the Winter Palace.
A grand old elevator escorts you up a stairwell lined with colourful murals to the guestrooms, which boast antique furnishings, terracotta walls, and original artworks.
The restaurant is graced by a formal atmosphere, inviting couples to enjoy a romantic evening with elaborately presented food which takes inspiration from French and Asian cuisine.
To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Royal
8. Radisson RED Aarhus – a hip, creative and trendy hotel perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Zs
If you want to stay close to local attractions such as Ridehuset, Musikhuset, and the Aarhus Congress Center, with a vibrant nightlife on your doorstep, then this is the place for you.
At Radisson RED, local artwork, ambient music, and tech-filled communal spaces inspire a deep connection with the hotel. The new on-site eatery Fred & Co. brings together the globetrotters and the hip locals into a social hub, and is the ultimate spot to indulge in some delicious food.
Without losing its relaxed Danish hygge, the restaurant conveys an instant wow factor through its design, service, and food.
9. Scandic Aarhus City – a modern, design and climate-friendly hotel in close proximity to the famous AroS art museum featuring the Insta-worthy Rainbow panorama
Billing itself as the greenest hotel in Aarhus, The Scandic is fronted by the remains of the original 19th -century building forming an ornamented façade, while the interiors contrast this with a modern outlook.
Streamlined, Scandi-style furnishings and a handful of sustainable initiatives add a graceful charm to the boutique hotel, and the clean-lined, modern décor enhances a feeling of elegance.
For evening escapades, head to the ‘Grill’ Restaurant, whose open kitchen specializes in steaks and rotisserie chicken, or the bar, which is a vibrant hub for locals and travellers alike. The hotel is located just off the main shopping street, offering convenient access to the bars, restaurants, and attractions of Aarhus.
10. Hotel GUESTapart – a cosy, unique and modern design hotel where guests can enjoy the luxury of hiring a bike to explore the city on
GUESTapart treats guests to a cosy design apartment offering the perfect blend of space, homeliness, and exclusivity. Noble materials beautify the in-room décor, with quirky hanging lights and large circular mirrors evoking a tone of chic sophistication.
The in-house culinary experience ‘Guestmade’ provides a new and exciting dining concept where you co-create your own food with the chefs, with a focus on sustainability and fantastic flavours.
Alternatively, you can simply order food straight up to your room, on the link provided in your digital arrival guestbook. At GUESTapart, you can enjoy easy access to the light rail, which will lead you to the vibrant city centre within 10 minutes.
11. HORISONT Hotel & Konference – a classic, modern and business-friendly hotel where guests can enjoy a beautiful garden and outdoor games
Radiating pure enjoyment through a pristine natural setting and thoughtful interior touches, Horisont Hotel is the perfect sanctuary for the modern business traveller.
Conference rooms catering up to 300 participants feature on-site, and a functional tone extends into the 65 guestrooms. To relax, you can take advantage of the hotel’s beautiful outdoor areas, which offer games of volleyball, frisbee, croquet, and ladder golf amid stunning natural surroundings.
Inside you can benefit from an exercise room, and a lounge with table-based sports. The in-house restaurant Brasserie HÖST serves healthy food with a focus on taste and sustainability and adds a touch of international creativity to traditional Danish dishes.
12. The Modern Aarhus Getaway – a lavish, vibrant and tech-savvy boutique accommodation well equipped for a memorable city break
Here we have a charming apartment situated only 1 km from the ARoS Art Museum and the Steno Museum. This modern building was built in 2019, and is clad head to toe in fine materials and contemporary amenities.
A little touch of tradition is sprinkled across the apartment’s seating areas, and quirky décor adorns the walls, but the vibe is predominantly of modern, chic elegance.
The apartment boasts two fully furnished bedrooms, a contemporary kitchen, and a flat-screen HDTV with cable channels. The large windows afford blissful views of the beautiful neighbourhood, providing a quaint backdrop to your Aarhus getaway.
My first true adventure began as a six month voyage around South East Asia as a fresh faced backpacker and ever since I’ve lived a semi nomadic existence, clocking up visits to over 40 countries. I’m a lover of US Road Trips, deserted beaches bathed in warm glow of a sunset, Cuban mojitos, travel destinations far away from the tourist crowds and all things Scandinavian – from cloudberry liquors to Nordic noirs. When not wandering the world and running Global Grasshopper, you’ll find me walking my rescued Greek street dog in leafy South West London, strolling around the Brighton Lanes on random day trips, hunting for photogenic landscapes or daydreaming about my favourite places; Havana, Copenhagen, Italy, Laos, California and the surreally beautiful landscapes of a wintry Iceland.
