We recently embarked on an adventure to Fårup Sommerland in Denmark, and our experience was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived until the sun dipped below the horizon, we were continually impressed with the park, the staff, and the joy it brings to visitors.

When we arrived at Fårup Sommerland, a theme park tucked away in the Danish late summer, behind winding countryside roads, we found ourselves enchanted by a woodland park complete with a familiar Swedish-styled red-and-white wooden hotel.
It’s renowned as a 4-star hotel, but that rating can mean many different things depending on context. To us, the stars were earned through the hotel's exclusivity. With only 50 rooms (a stark contrast to the 1,000 rooms at the Disneyland Hotel in California for example), the hotel radiates a sense of quiet, nestled coziness that felt like a warm embrace.

Walking through the doors, we were greeted with communal spaces richly stocked with board games, intimate lounges, and tiny playgrounds designed with children in mind. The environment is meticulously crafted, focusing on a very Scandinavian ideal of parenting and community. Here, Nordic and Danish design reigns supreme — it’s orderly, cozy, clean, and quietly relaxed. It serves as a real retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main theme park, and the surrounding woodland and lakes infuse the entire hotel with a palpable sense of serenity.

In our room, a delightful surprise awaited the kids: a bunk bed, whimsically built to resemble a cabin, an immediate hit with our young adventurers.

Mealtime at the hotel was a communal affair — breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style on the terrace and in the adjoining restaurant. From some of the seating, small outdoor playgrounds are visible, creating a relaxing dining experience for parents who may just want to keep an eye on their kids.
We found the food to be delightful; the morning buffet was generously stocked, and the dinner buffet offered a special corner with children’s staples.

As day turned into evening, a certain magic filled the air. The bonfire cabin is lit, inviting families to roast marshmallows and pop popcorn over the fireplace. We gathered around for board games, the warm light flickering off our children’s faces, and felt a profound sense of coziness. In this space, winding down came naturally, and before long, we found our kids growing sleepy, their eyes heavy with the promise of sweet dreams.

Despite its relatively small size, this boutique hotel created a sphere of warmth that instantly felt expansive. As the park's day guests made their way home, a special transformation took place — the remaining hotel guests seemed to become part of an exclusive club, fostering a unique sense of camaraderie among the children. In this secluded atmosphere, our kids found playmates almost effortlessly, running around the beautiful wooden boardwalk that skirts the edges of the main lake.

Visiting theme parks is often about contrasts: the adrenaline rush of thrill rides and extreme experiences juxtaposed against the simple pleasure of sitting on a quiet bench, savouring a delicious ice cream. The Fårup Sommerland Hotel experience amplified and enriched this contrast in a way that was nothing short of magical..

Consider the morning ritual at Fårup Sommerland Hotel. Waking up in the soft light of a Danish summer morning, we would meander down to the dining area for a steaming cup of coffee and a flaky, buttery croissant. — and yet, within mere minutes, we found ourselves stepping onto one of Europe’s most extreme roller coasters. There we were, with the calm of the morning still lingering in our senses, suddenly whisked into a world of thrilling highs and breathtaking drops. This seamless blend of the tranquil and the electrifying, the cozy and the adventurous, is at the heart of what made our stay at Fårup Sommerland so unforgettable.

Also - Being situated so close to the water park — which was, in its own right, an incredibly well-designed area, even though, understandably, we don't have pictures to share from this wet and wild adventure — added an extra layer of convenience and comfort to our stay. It felt as though we had a nearby basecamp, a welcoming haven stocked with fresh towels and offering a private bath, where we could retreat to and recharge our spirits after a day of splashing and laughter.