Family Travel First Choice: Family-Friendly Hotels in Randers

1. A Scenic Arrival in Randers

It was early afternoon when we pulled into Randers, a quiet Danish town nestled by the Gudenå River. The drive from Aarhus was smooth, just under an hour, and as we approached, I could see why this destination has often been recommended for families. The streets were calm and inviting, the facades of the buildings lined in classical Danish architecture, the kind that seems untouched by time. Children laughed in nearby parks, and locals moved slowly, purposefully, almost ceremonially. This was not a place you rushed through. It was a town meant to be experienced deliberately—just what a family trip needs.

We had been planning a brief Scandinavian getaway, one that would balance comfort with a touch of novelty for the kids and, admittedly, a break from our routine. Our top priority had been finding a place to stay that was not only accommodating for adults but genuinely welcoming to children—not just in name, but in thoughtful, practical details.

2. Checking Into Hotel Randers

Our accommodation was Hotel Randers, centrally located at Torvegade 11, 8900 Randers, Denmark. The hotel came highly rated for family travelers, and after our experience, I can attest to its well-earned reputation. I made the reservation through Booking.com about six weeks in advance. For a two-night stay in a Family Room, the total cost came to DKK 2,960 (approximately EUR 395 or USD 425 at the time of booking). The price included breakfast for four, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary access to the hotel’s small fitness area.

The check-in process was swift. Staff members at the reception spoke impeccable English, with that signature Scandinavian calmness and understated hospitality. A young woman named Mette gave the children little coloring kits along with a local map marked with family-friendly attractions—a small gesture, but a deeply appreciated one after a long day of travel.

The building itself was built in 1856, and though it has undergone several renovations, much of its original charm remains. It’s one of the oldest hotels in Jutland still in operation. The lobby is airy, with tall windows and well-kept wood floors, and there’s a grand piano in the corner that one of the guests played softly each evening.

3. The Family Room Experience

Our Family Room was on the second floor, accessible by both elevator and an elegant staircase with polished wooden railings. The room was spacious, even by European standards, and featured a king-sized bed and a pull-out sofa bed that the kids immediately claimed. A set of blackout curtains made naptime manageable (a miracle for any parent), and the walls were adorned with tasteful, local art prints.

The room had a small kitchenette with a kettle, tea selection, and a minibar. The hotel had also set up a crib for our youngest, complete with clean linens and a cheerful stuffed lion that, as I later learned, could be purchased from the hotel gift shop. The bathroom was modern, equipped with heated floors and a step stool under the sink—a thoughtful touch that saved us from the daily “toddler lift” ritual.

Despite its central location, the room was remarkably quiet. At night, all we could hear was the soft hum of the occasional car passing below or the distant sound of the town clock chiming.

4. Breakfast: Simple, Danish, and Fresh

Mornings began in the hotel’s glass-ceilinged breakfast room, where a buffet of fresh, locally-sourced options awaited us. The spread was generous: rye bread, Danish pastries (I will never forget the warm tebirkes), scrambled eggs, sausages, sliced cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, yogurt, and several types of müsli.

The kids made daily pilgrimages to the mini-pancake station, complete with syrup, berries, and whipped cream, while I grew addicted to the hotel’s strong filter coffee and their creamy Danish butter, best enjoyed with warm rolls.

High chairs were available, and staff quickly brought extra napkins and utensils without us needing to ask. There was even a little “children’s corner” set up near the entrance with tiny chairs, storybooks, and a LEGO box. Breakfast was never rushed, and no one gave us that impatient glance you sometimes get when dining with children in quieter establishments.

5. Hotel Amenities That Made a Difference

Hotel Randers has a few understated but highly effective amenities that subtly cater to traveling families. The front desk offers board games and books upon request—ideal for evenings when you’re not quite ready to turn in but want a break from screens. There’s also a small courtyard garden where children can safely play while parents sit with a drink or a book.

On our second day, when rain delayed our outdoor plans, the hotel loaned us umbrellas and gave the children little rain ponchos, both branded with the hotel’s lion mascot. It was a simple thing, but it spared us from a wet mess and turned the situation into an adventure.

There is also a laundry service, which came in very handy after an unexpected strawberry juice incident at lunch. I dropped off a few shirts at the reception in the afternoon, and they were back in the room, fresh and neatly folded, by early evening.

Wi-Fi was steady and fast throughout the building—useful for streaming some cartoons after long museum visits. There’s also a compact but clean gym on the top floor. I snuck in one morning workout while the rest of the family was still asleep. A quiet Danish pop playlist accompanied me through my treadmill run, the town slowly waking up outside the window.

6. Comparing Options: Why This Hotel Stood Out

Before choosing Hotel Randers, I had reviewed several other accommodations in town. The Scandic Randers was one competitor, also centrally located and similarly priced. However, reviews mentioned occasional noise due to the main road and a more corporate atmosphere. Another option was Best Western Plus Hotel Kronjylland, which had slightly more modern decor, but was farther from the town center and didn’t offer family rooms as well designed for young children.

What ultimately tipped the scale was Hotel Randers’ combination of location, character, and quiet confidence in how they catered to families. It didn’t feel like a place that was “trying to be” kid-friendly—it simply was, as though families had always been part of its story. The staff didn’t just tolerate children; they welcomed them as guests in their own right.

7. Moments That Stayed With Me

There was one moment during our stay that remains vivid. On our last morning, as we lingered in the breakfast room longer than planned, my daughter dropped her juice glass. It shattered, and immediately she looked at me, panicked, expecting the usual reprimands or embarrassed glances. Before I could react, a staff member swooped in—not with annoyance but with calm assurance. “These things happen,” she said softly, smiling as she gently ushered my daughter to a nearby chair. Within minutes, it was cleaned up, and she returned with a new glass of juice and a little apple slice “smiley face” on a plate.

That plate became the highlight of the meal, the broken glass forgotten. It was a masterclass in grace under pressure, and a reminder of the kind of hospitality that leaves its mark.

8. A Last Glimpse Before Leaving

As we packed up and brought our bags down to the lobby, I felt the familiar blend of relief and regret that often marks the end of a trip. Relief that nothing had gone dramatically wrong, that the children had slept well, eaten happily, and made memories that would echo longer than the trip itself. Regret that we had to leave so soon, that the quiet rhythm of Randers wouldn’t accompany us back to our daily chaos.

Before stepping into the car, we stopped one last time at the hotel’s small souvenir stand. My son picked out a keychain with the hotel’s lion mascot. It now hangs from his backpack, and every time I see it, I think of that peaceful room on Torvegade, the soft rain on the windows, and the smiley apple slices that saved a breakfast.

Hotel Randers is not a theme park resort, nor is it a luxury escape—it doesn’t try to be either. What it offers is something rarer: a genuine, quietly confident embrace of family travel, delivered with warmth, thoughtfulness, and that unmistakable Danish sense of calm.