Århus: Hotel Royal (4 Star Hotel)

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Address: Store torv 4 , Aarhus 8000, Denmark
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Lonely Planet review

If you've come to expect restrained Scandi style in your top-end Danish hotels, prepare to be surprised by the Royal, Århus' premiere place to bed down. In a city where the independent hotels are falling over themselves to be boutique-y and stylishly understated, the Royal dares to be different.

From the over-the-top entrance portico to the flashy reception area, the Royal seems a little 'un-Danish' (where did all the blondwood and neutral colours go?). And it's, well, gaudy in parts - but lots of fun too. We love the reception desk atop a huge fish-tank, the oversized chandelier and the murals winding their way up the staircase. Original artworks, huge mirrors and rich colour schemes are the order of the day. The rooms are ornate (check out the bling-y white-and-gold bathrooms) but have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and wi-fi. On-site facilities are also good, including a restaurant under an octagonal atrium roof, plus the city's only casino. Despite being the place in town where the big names stay (we heard of one international mega-star demanding the bells of the neighbouring cathedral be silenced during her stay), staff are reassuringly warm and friendly.