Scandic The Reef, Frederikshavn

Caribbean-style water world and relaxed family resort vibes in the heart of Frederikshavn, steps from the harbour, beaches and North Jutland’s coastal adventures.

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Scandic The Reef

Scandic The Reef in Frederikshavn is a Caribbean-themed hotel and water-park complex that feels more like a family resort than a standard city stay. Just steps from the harbour and town centre, it combines an indoor tropical adventure with pools, slides and hot tubs, a heated outdoor pool, several casual restaurants and bars, and playful communal areas. It is especially popular with families, yet still offers quiet corners, bay views and a convenient base for exploring North Jutland.

A brief summary to Scandic The Reef

Tordenskjoldsgade 14, Frederikshavn, 9900, DK
+4598433233
Visit website
Duration: 3 to 24 hours
Mid ranged
Mixed
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Local tips

Pack separate bags for the water park with swimsuits, flip-flops and cover-ups so you can move easily between your room and the pools without constant changes.
Plan at least one full afternoon for the water park; it is large enough that families often need several hours to enjoy the slide, deep pool, outdoor pool and hot tubs.
If you value quieter time in the pools, aim for early morning or later evening sessions, when many guests are at breakfast or winding down in their rooms.
Use the hotel as a base for a combined stay: alternate water-park days with short excursions to Palmestranden beach, Bangsbo area or Skagen for variety.
Bring simple entertainment for children for room downtime, as the excitement of the water park can be tiring and a relaxed wind-down ritual helps balance the day.

Scandic The Reef location weather suitability

Any Weather
Rain / Wet Weather
Cold Weather
Mild Temperatures
Hot Weather

Discover more about Scandic The Reef

Caribbean Escape in a North Jutland Harbour Town

Scandic The Reef turns a central Frederikshavn city block into a tropical playground, complete with palm-fringed pool decks, rock formations and warm, humid air that contrasts sharply with the often brisk Kattegat climate outside. The large, low-rise complex sits just behind the harbour, so the salty smell of the sea and the faint sound of ferry horns filter into the outdoor areas, reminding you that Skagen, Læsø and Norway lie just across the water. Inside, public spaces are relaxed and informal, designed for guests padding around in swimwear and robes. Corridors open onto internal courtyards and pool zones, and many rooms look either toward the bay or over the rambling water park. It feels more like a compact resort than a traditional business hotel, yet it remains firmly embedded in the fabric of the town, with local streets, cafés and the church only a short stroll away.

Tropical Water World at the Heart of the Hotel

The signature feature here is the expansive indoor water park, where air is kept pleasantly warm and the lighting mimics an eternal holiday afternoon. Palm trees and faux cliffs break up the space, framing a series of interconnected pools, whirlpools and channels. The headline attraction is an approximately 80‑metre water slide that snakes from an upper level before plunging back into the main pool, providing a dose of thrill without ever feeling intimidating to younger riders. Families drift along lazy currents, children experiment with splash zones and smaller slides, and confident swimmers gravitate to the deep 3.5‑metre pool to dive down or practice technique. A heated outdoor pool extends the aquatic experience under open skies in every season, steam rising visibly on cold days. Multiple hot tubs and spa pools dotted around the deck offer quieter corners to soak and watch the action from a comfortable distance.

Rooms, Views and Everyday Comforts

Guest rooms follow a clean, Nordic approach: practical layouts, light woods, simple lines and few unnecessary flourishes. Family rooms and XL categories often combine standard beds with bunk setups or armchair beds, so groups with children can stay together. Many rooms have views toward the harbour or city rooftops, with the changing light over the bay a subtle reminder of Frederikshavn’s maritime character. Bathrooms are modern and functional, with walk-in showers in many units and straightforward amenities that prioritise ease over luxury. The atmosphere is casual: this is the kind of place where swim bags and beach towels are part of the décor, and where getting from bed to breakfast to the water park requires only a few minutes. For those who like to keep active beyond the pools, a 24‑hour fitness area and simple games spaces, such as table tennis and arcade-style entertainment, offer extra outlets for energy.

Dining, Lounges and Long Evenings Indoors

Dining is centred on a laid-back family restaurant and a bistro-style bar concept, with menus built around familiar crowd-pleasers: grills, burgers, seasonal comfort dishes and kid-friendly options. Buffet-style breakfasts typically feature Scandinavian staples alongside hot items, providing fuel for long sessions in the water. During the day and into the evening, a trio of different bar environments serves everything from poolside refreshments to more grown-up drinks in an indoor lounge setting. Social areas are designed to keep various ages content under one roof. Adults might linger over coffee or a glass of wine, while children migrate between the playroom, game room and the next dip in the pool. Subdued lighting and warm colours reinforce the sense of retreat, making it easy to spend a full day and evening on-site without feeling confined. In summer, sun terraces and outdoor seating become natural gathering points between swims.

Gateway to Beaches and North Jutland Adventures

While The Reef could easily occupy a full weekend on its own, its location invites exploration. Frederikshavn’s harbourfront promenade, historic Gunpowder Tower and church are all within a short walk, adding a layer of local history to a family-focused stay. Slightly farther afield, Palmestranden beach with its imported sand and iconic palms echoes the hotel’s Caribbean theme in a real coastal setting. Beyond town, the wider region opens up quickly: the dunes and museums of Skagen, the rugged coastlines around Hirtshals, and larger attractions like aquariums and amusement parks are all within day-trip range. For travellers using the ferry terminal or rail station, the hotel functions as a practical stopover that doubles as a mini holiday, turning an otherwise functional night in transit into an experience shaped by warm water, sea air and the playful atmosphere of a compact Nordic resort.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Fisketorvet

0.2 km

A modest central square in Frederikshavn where everyday small-town life, summer tourist hosts and a hint of maritime character quietly meet by the harbor.

Frederikshavn Church

0.2 km

Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.

Frederikshavn St.

0.3 km

Compact, coastal rail terminus linking Frederikshavn’s harbor, ferries and town center, and a relaxed stepping stone to beaches, bunkers and northern Jutland landscapes.

Cafe' Feen

0.7 km

Aalborg’s beloved Kildeparken blends music, art, and green tranquility, offering a vibrant escape in the city center for relaxation, exploration, and community events.

Port of Frederikshavn

0.8 km

A deep-water working harbour where ferries, shipyards and offshore giants share the waterfront, shaping the maritime heart of Frederikshavn.

Frederikshavn Sogn

0.9 km

A grand Romanesque church and living parish at the heart of a North Jutland port town, where seafaring history, sacred art and everyday Danish life meet.

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

2.3 km

Second World War bunkers half-buried in the dunes behind Frederikshavn’s palm-lined city beach, blending coastal history with a relaxed seaside setting.

Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen

10.5 km

A modest roadside stone in rural Vendsyssel, the Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen quietly links a single life story with the open fields and farm roads of Gærum.

The Lady From The Sea

11.8 km

A towering harbour figurehead where Ibsen’s sea‑bound heroine, medieval Mary and hundreds of children’s symbols merge into one evocative coastal landmark.

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

30.5 km

A modest granite stone in Skagen Klitplantage honouring the dune inspector who planted millions of pines and transformed the shifting sands south of Skagen.

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

30.6 km

Delve into Esbjerg’s evolution from coastal hamlet to harbor city at this immersive museum, blending archaeology, wartime history, and lifelike local scenes in Denmark’s West Jutland.

Skagen Havn

30.8 km

A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.

Enjoy Skagen

31.3 km

Esbjerg Museum reveals the city’s story through immersive exhibits on maritime legacy, archaeology, and daily life—offering an interactive journey into Danish west coast history.

Galleri Bo

31.6 km

Explore Denmark's vibrant west coast heritage at Esbjerg Museum, where local history, archaeology, and immersive exhibits bring Esbjerg's dramatic story to life.

Skagen Station

31.9 km

Denmark's northernmost railway station, where historic yellow architecture meets the gateway to two seas.

Unmissable attractions to see

Tordenskjold statue

0.2 km

Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.

Mindesten

0.2 km

A modest granite memorial on Frederikshavn’s church square, Mindesten quietly commemorates Denmark’s World War II liberation and invites a moment of reflection.

Krudttårnet

0.3 km

A 17th‑century gunpowder tower turned harbourfront museum, where naval history, bold engineering and Frederikshavn’s maritime story meet in one compact landmark.

Mindesmærke for Scandinavian

0.3 km

A solemn granite memorial on Frederikshavn’s harbourfront, commemorating the 159 lives lost in the 1990 Scandinavian Star ferry fire beside the waters they once crossed.

Triaden sculpture

0.3 km

Discover Mindesten in Frederikshavn: A serene memorial honoring local history amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.

Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum

0.4 km

Small in scale but rich in ideas, Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum og Exlibrissamling fuses contemporary art, ex libris treasures and a lively cultural calendar in one intimate venue.

Versorgungsschiff „EDDA BOREAS“

0.7 km

A cutting-edge offshore wind support vessel occasionally moored at Frederikshavn’s working harbour, showcasing hydrogen-ready technology, cranes and gangways for the future of offshore energy.

Nordre Skanse

1.4 km

Grassy historic earthworks overlooking Frederikshavn’s harbour and the Kattegat, where simple ramparts, sea views and open sky tell a quiet coastal story.

Palmestranden

2.5 km

Denmark’s only true palm-fringed urban beach, blending soft white sand, safe shallows and playful seaside activities with views over Frederikshavn’s working harbor.

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

2.7 km

Denmark's premier botanical garden where English-style elegance meets Northern Europe's largest alpine crevice garden.

FunHouse Frederikshavn

2.8 km

1,500 m² of colorful indoor action by the Frederikshavn harbor, where kids climb, bounce and slide while adults pause with a coffee and a clear view.

Palm Beach (Frederikshavn)

2.8 km

Denmark's only palm beach—a tropical escape where real palms sway above white sand and Baltic waters.

Mindesten for de 3

2.9 km

A modest war memorial in Frederikshavn honoring three local lives lost during World War II, inviting a brief, thoughtful pause amid the town’s everyday rhythm.

Boolsens Stenhave

2.9 km

A quiet stone garden in Frederikshavn where an author’s lifelong passion for geology now unfolds as an open-air story of ice, rock, and deep time.

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

2.9 km

Historic Bangsbo manor turned coastal museum, where medieval ships, wartime stories and a 1900s cultural salon meet in lush parkland on Frederikshavn’s edge.

A quintessential Danish beer hall in Frederikshavn blending hearty local flavor, maritime heritage, affordable drinks, and genuine social atmosphere.

Best Western Hotel Herman Bang

0.2 km

Historic 1882 hotel in Frederikshavn's heart, steps from train and ferry, with spa and Scandinavian breakfast.

A small, specialist lingerie boutique in central Frederikshavn, offering quality European brands, expert bra fitting and calm, personal service on busy Danmarksgade.

Unpretentious neighborhood bar in central Frederikshavn, serving inexpensive drinks and harbor-town vibes in a compact, maritime-flavored setting.

Polished cocktails and high-energy club vibes collide at this compact, late-night hotspot on Aalborg’s legendary Jomfru Ane Gade.

Club Stygge

57.1 km

Compact, late-night Aalborg nightclub with loud party hits, simple cocktails and a tightly packed dance floor on bustling Vesterå.

Happy Friday

75.0 km

Experience Støvring's vibrant nightlife at Happy Friday Cocktail Bar, where expertly crafted cocktails meet a lively atmosphere.

Skørping Bodega

77.8 km

A friendly local bodega near Rold Skov, Skørping Bodega captures the spirit of Danish bar culture with its authentic charm, inviting atmosphere, and vibrant community.

Rold Skov Orienteringsklub

77.8 km

Embark on an orienteering adventure with Rold Skov Orienteringsklub in Denmark's captivating Rold Skov forest.

Mjølner

78.9 km

Small-town Nibe’s late-night heartbeat, where a compact dance floor, loud party tunes and local crowds turn a quiet fjord town into a lively night out.

Delirium

86.1 km

Experience the electrifying nightlife at Delirium, Gothenburg's premier night club with pulsating music and vibrant energy.

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Scandic The Reef, Frederikshavn

A brief summary to Scandic The Reef

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Scandic The Reef location weather suitability

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Discover more about Scandic The Reef

Caribbean Escape in a North Jutland Harbour Town

Tropical Water World at the Heart of the Hotel

Rooms, Views and Everyday Comforts

Dining, Lounges and Long Evenings Indoors

Gateway to Beaches and North Jutland Adventures

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Fisketorvet

Frederikshavn Church

Frederikshavn St.

Cafe' Feen

Port of Frederikshavn

Frederikshavn Sogn

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen

The Lady From The Sea

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

Skagen Havn

Enjoy Skagen

Galleri Bo

Skagen Station

Unmissable attractions to see

Tordenskjold statue

Mindesten

Krudttårnet

Mindesmærke for Scandinavian

Triaden sculpture

Frederikshavn Kunstmuseum

Versorgungsschiff „EDDA BOREAS“

Nordre Skanse

Palmestranden

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

FunHouse Frederikshavn

Palm Beach (Frederikshavn)

Mindesten for de 3

Boolsens Stenhave

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

Essential places to dine

Scandic The Reef

Buffet Restaurant The Reef

Det Gule Pakhus

Restaurant Sæson Frederikshavn

Jerry’s

Hyttefadet

Valentino

Milan Pizza

California American Restaurant

Smørgåsen

Maestros Steakhouse Frederikshavn

Restaurant Empire

Fiskebaren Café og Spisehus

Tordenskjoldskroen

Best Western Hotel Herman Bang

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Kidsbrandstore

Søstrene Grene

CHANGE Lingerie

JACK & JONES

ONLY

Mondo Frederikshavn

Marta du chateau Frederikshavn

H&M

VERO MODA

Flying Tiger Copenhagen

Knud E

Gerda

Deres Collection

Rosenborg SHE

Spar Dame

Essential bars & hidden hideouts