A review of Nimb, the 5-star boutique hotel attached to Tivoli Gardens in Denmark's capital city of Copenhagen.
Have you ever been inspired to book a particular travel destination having seen it on TV? I'll admit to often admiring places, but never getting around to organising a trip. That was until my husband and I caught an episode of the BBC's Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby which featured Nimb, one of Copenhagen's top hotels.
Copenhagen had been on our travel bucket list for years. Then as we watched Giles Coren and Monica Galetti tour the hotel plus adjacent Tivoli Gardens amusement park, it rapidly bumped to the top of the pile. And we knew just where to stay.
Hotel History
Named after the Nimb family, who ran the restaurant during the 20th century, the high level of service which elevated the venue to an elite status is still maintained throughout the hotel today.
The main building has undergone a number of alterations since it first opened in 1909. Most recently with the addition of a new wing in 2017 which increased the number of bedrooms and suites from 17 to 38.
Luxury and splendour combine perfectly with a typically warm Scandinavian welcome, making the hotel ideal for a more indulgent city centre stay.
Location & getting around
Nimb Hotel is conveniently situated opposite Copenhagen's Central Station. Direct trains from the airport take around 15 minutes, which means you can be checked in and ready to begin your Copenhagen adventure soon after landing.
Many of Copenhagen's most popular sights are within walking distance from the hotel. Or why not travel the way many locals do by hiring a bike to ride around the city streets.
Staying at Nimb means you couldn't be any closer to one of Copenhagen's top attractions, as the hotel is situated within the grounds of Tivoli Gardens. A door at the back of the hotel leads directly into the park.
Layout
As previously mentioned, the original hotel housed 17 rooms, with a further 21 added as part of the new wing.
There's a wellness area at lower ground level, and a rooftop terrace overooking the city skyline, with bedrooms, bars, and restaurants situated on the 3 floors between.
The glass facade of the hotel overlooks a busy road, however, all but one of the rooms are situated on the opposite side with views over Tivoli Gardens. So you can enjoy your morning coffee as you watch preparations for park opening, or sip an evening drink from the comfort of your in-room sofa and admire the many lights below.
Something I love about staying in boutique hotels is the attention to detail and personal touches which help make your stay that little bit more special. Nimb takes this to another level.
Individual antiques and hand picked furnishings give each room it's own unique identity. On top of this, Nimb endeavour to provide their guests with everything they could possibly need.
From a bathroom box packed with essentials, to a plug adaptor (in case you forget to pack one), and even a fresh lime for your drinks, they've thought of everything.
There's complimentary bottles of water, a well stocked mini bar, carafes of spirits, Nimb's very own gin, and a drawer full of snacks.
Robes, slippers, an umbrella, and even a shopping bag are available for your use. Plus other luxury products are provided in abundance, meaning you can really indulge yourself during your stay.
Nimb Hotel Dining
If you can drag yourself away from the comforting surroundings of your bedroom, there are a number of food and drink options available at Nimb (if not, there's always room service).
Nimb Brasserie
Open daily from 7am - 10pm, Nimb Brasserie is the hotel's main restaurant. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a brunch sitting at weekends.
Here you can enjoy views of Tivoli Gardens as you dine on a variety of French inspired dishes which change along with the seasons.
Fru Nimb
If you're looking for more traditional Danish cuisine, Fru Nimb serves a selection of the famous open faced sandwiches known as Smørrebrød.
However, although it's part of Nimb hotel, the restaurant is located within Tivoli Gardens. This means it's only open when the park is.
Tivoli Gardens Restaurants
When Tivoli Gardens is open, as well as Fru Nimb, there's a huge variety of alternative dining options for hotel guests.
From quick snacks to more formal dining, an array of cuisines are served at the many eateries dotted around the park.
Keen to sample our first Smørrebrød, we dined at Pafuglen one afternoon, choosing a selection of toppings to try.
Tivoli Food Hall
Another great place to eat, and one which doesn't rely on Tivoli Gardens being open, is Tivoli Food Hall.
This lively dining area can be accessed either from the park, or the main street at the front of Nimb hotel. It consists of 15 food outlets all serving a variety of cuisine, and provides a more relaxed dining option.
We ate here a couple of times during our trip to Copenhagen. Enjoying some of the tasty, freshly cooked food including a delicious Gorm's pizza, and Steak Frites from Le Petit Paris.
Nimb Hotel Bars
Whether you wish to eat in the hotel or nearby restaurants, I still recommend you kick back and relax in the two hotel bars during your stay.
Brasserie Bar
Although it's adjacent to Nimb Brasserie, anyone is welcome at the Brasserie Bar. Rugs, low tables, and greenery create a relaxing ambience. Huge windows provide views of Tivoli Gardens, and there's even an outdoor terrace to sip your G&T on during the warmer months.
It's the perfect place to enjoy a hot drink while you wait for your room to become available, or collapse into one of the comfortable sofas with a glass of wine after a day exploring the city.
Nimb Bar
For the ultimate experience, head to Nimb Bar.
High ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and mirrored doors form the picturesque surroundings of what was once a ballroom. These fairytale features clearly inspired the Nimb Bar cocktail menu, which includes intriguing concoctions such as The Magic Carpet, Open Sesame!, and my personal choice - Genie of the Lamp.
The menu is designed as a book, the cocktail was served in a lamp, and we sat sipping our drinks by an open fireplace. Such a memorable experience, and one that's available to everyone, whether you're a guest of the hotel or just wish to visit Nimb Bar for a few hours.
Other Nimb Hotel Facilities
Roof Terrace
Simply named Nimb Roof, the roof terrace is exclusively for hotel guests and Nimb Club members.
Up here, visitors can take a dip in the pool, relax on sun loungers, or enjoy a cocktail from the rooftop bar.
Nimb Roof opens from April - October, which meant it was closed during our December stay. However, we did wander up there one evening to take in the fabulous panoramic views. And even on a chilly winter's day, it was easy to see why this is a popular spot for guests during the warmer summer months.
Nimb Wellness
Although we didn't get the chance to visit this part of the hotel, Nimb Wellness offers a relaxation area and Spa, plus a gym for hotel guests to use.
Nimb Hotel Guest Benefits
Free entry to Tivoli Gardens & unlimited ride access (when the park is open!)
A fabulous benefit of staying at Nimb, is that hotel guests are eligible for free entry to Tivoli Gardens, plus an unlimited ride access wristband.
Important!
However, Tivoli Gardens is not open all year round. We got chatting to Maria, the Hotel Director (who is as lovely in real life as she appears on the TV), and she mentioned what the BBC failed to. That Tivoli Gardens closes at certain times of the year. Unfortunately, this has led to some disappointed guests, who hadn't realised the park would be closed during their stay.
On the plus side, room prices are often lower when Tivoli Gardens is closed, so you may find a good deal. And Nimb is still a fabulous base from which to explore more of Copenhagen. But if free entry to Tivoli Gardens and all the rides are your main reason for booking a room at Nimb, make sure you check park opening dates. These can be found on the Tivoli Gardens website.
Service
The personal touch isn't just evident in the hotel rooms, it's Nimb's amazing staff which set it apart from many other places we've stayed. With their warm and friendly manner, everyone consistently went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable time.
On the morning we arrived, we were treated to hot drinks in Brasserie Bar, then shown personally around the hotel before being taken to our room, where our suitcases were already waiting for us.
Each time we collected our wristbands from reception, we were escorted to Tivoli Gardens with a friendly chat and recommendations on what to see and do that day.
Turn Down Service
The hotel also provide an evening turn down service. It was a delight to return each evening to a tidy room and goodies on the bed.
Just a heads up, those chocolates have a liquorice centre. Absolutely delicious, but a bit of a shock on the first night!
How to make a booking
You can compare the different bedrooms, check current restaurant menus, and make bookings via the Nimb website.
Room reservations can also me made via the usual booking websites. We made ours through Booking.com, which entitled us to a free transfer from the airport thanks to the sites current promotion. However, we returned to the airport via train, which was actually much quicker.
Nimb Hotel Review at a glance:
Pros:
- Outstanding level of service
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Lots of personal touches
- Complimentary entry and ride access to Tivoli Gardens (when it's open)
- Proximity to Central Station
- Many Copenhagen sights within easy walking distance
Cons:
- You pay a premium for this high standard of hotel and service which could push it out of some budgets
Star Rating:
(4.7 / 5)
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Nimb Hotel Review Summary
By far one of the best hotels we've ever stayed in. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, outstanding service, personal touches, and proximity to many of Copenhagen's sights, really set Nimb apart from the rest.
Having access to all the fun of Tivoli Gardens, including the many eateries, made our stay even more memorable. Yet we'd be equally happy just enjoying the rest of the hotel's various facilities, plus exploring this wonderful city from there.
So if you're planning a visit to Copenhagen, and are looking to add a bit of luxury to your trip, I highly recommend checking out Nimb.