Hotel Tivoli

The hotel is located close to the canal opposite Islands Brygge harbour and a 10 minute walk from Central Station. It is part of a conference complex that includes one of the city's largest conference centres, the WAKEUP Copenhagen hotel and the Tivoli. A third hotel may be in the works later on this year. There isn't much to do in the immediate surroundings which are actually quite dull, especially in the winter.

As the hotel is a little out of the way - about 10 minutes' walk away - there is a free shuttle bus that takes guests to and from Tivoli Gardens in the centre of town every 9 minutes. Otherwise there is complimentary Wi-Fi internet access throughout the hotel. The hotel has its own parking facilities, which is cheaper than parking in town - 15 Kroner per hour or 120 Kroner for the day (over 8 hours) but remember that parking in the city is free at the weekends. Worth remembering if you are coming by car, is that the hotel does not guarantee parking spaces and does not take bookings for the car park.

The hotel opened in 2011 and was designed by Kim Utzen, son of Jorn Utzen, the designer of Sydney's Opera House and by Fritz Hansen, who continued Verner Panton's designs after his death. From the exterior, the Tivoli Hotel looks like somewhat of a monster-resort, which upon entering it, it truly is. If the kind of place that has absolutely everything your heart desires onsite, then this is the place for you. But don't forget to get out to explore the wonderful that is Copenhagen! This monster-hotel has everything from professionally-trained harlequin dancers from Tivoli Gardens that prance around the hotel reception, to a full-size bouncy castle, to a Swan Lake complete with Danish designer extraordinaire Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs, a closed swimming pool with LED lights embedded in the ceiling and games room in the basement, along with a gym, a bar and two restaurants. There is even a roof-top playground that was still being landscaped to look like a Japanese garden. The hotel is extremely animated and quite hectic, especially in the lobby, so it's not the best option if you want to get away from it all and spend some quality time alone with your family. The hotel could have fallen into the tacky Disneyland mould, but it has been tastefully done and therefore isn't too hard on the eye. The main restaurant is one of the highlights of the hotel for us - designed according to Verner Panton colours and style, the dining hall is an extremely pleasant area to sit down for a meal and it links to the outdoor playground area.

There are 400 rooms and about seven different room categories. The rooms vary in size and colour; there are eight categories altogether: theme, family, standard, superior, executive, suite, rooms with access for disabled people and hypoallergenic. There are three themes: guard, columbine and Tivoli time. The Executive rooms, with their star pillowcases and striped duvets covers were our favourite. The family rooms all come with a comfortable sofa bed and a children's televsision channel. All have large windows letting in plenty of light. Most have lovely canal views. Superior and executive rooms have complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms have safe and flat-screen televisions. The Tivoli Garden harlequin theme is continued throughout the rooms, which have different themes (pictured). For little boys, and little girls, the columbine-themed rooms are the highlight for their Scandinavian spin on the Disney look. We particularly liked the girls' columbine rooms with the fun red tulip details around the bed's headboard and the bright green mirror frame, again, in-keeping with the Tivoli Garden theme. All the artwork that you will find at the hotel has been especially commissioned for the hotel. The double beds are all composed of two single beds put together with two single duvets as per the Scandinavian tradition. On the whole the bathrooms are well-appointed and spacious and stocked with Arp-Hansen own-brand toiletries. All bathrooms have bathtubs.

The hotel has two restaurants and a bar, all of which are highlights of the hotel. The main restaurant, 'Brasserie Tivoli', adjoining the outdoor Japanese-style outdoor terrace, with outdoor seating, has been designed according to Verner Panton's style. Bright and extremely tasteful, entering the dining hall is an uplifting experience. With booths, banquettes and free seating, the room is very well appointed so that it doesn't feel too cramped at meal times. Children are also well taken care of, with their own meal choices. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served here and all meals are served as a buffet. A range of international and Danish cuisine is on offer here. The room seats about 400 people, meaning that guests shouldn't have to wait too long for a table. If you are not staying at the hotel but you want to experience the restaurant, make sure you book plenty of time in advance. For a quick snack or a drink, there is the stunning Tivoli bar with its arabesque of mirrors and low-lighting. A must if you are staying at the hotel. For something a little more exclusive, the Sky Lounge, Sticks'n'Sushi on the 12th floor is a good option. The staff is casual, yet upbeat and very efficient. The sushi platters are extremely well-presented and very tasty. Here you will find a range of sushi for all tastes, from the more bland to the more adventurous and authentic. Guests have a choice between seating outside on the terrace and inside, you'll find typical floor seating. For a table here, we recommend you book well in advance, especially in the evenings as it is a popular hangout with hotel guests but also with the locals.