If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram looking for a place to crash in the Danish capital, you’ve seen it. The red-lit entryway. The dizzying floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. The MoodPads. Honestly, citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen feels less like a traditional hotel and more like a high-end spaceship that crashed into a library. It’s right there on the edge of City Hall Square, which is basically the heartbeat of Copenhagen, but staying here is a specific kind of experience that isn't for everyone.
You either love the concept or you find it slightly claustrophobic.
Most people booking a room at citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen are looking for that sweet spot between "I want to be in the center of everything" and "I don't want to pay d'Angleterre prices." It works. But there are nuances to the Danish "hygge" version of this Dutch brand that you won't find on the glossy booking sites.
The Vibe Check at Rådhuspladsen
Forget the mahogany desks and the stiff-collared concierges. When you walk into citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen, you’re greeted by self-check-in kiosks and "Ambassadors" who are usually wearing sneakers. It’s efficient. It’s fast. If you’re the type who hates small talk with a receptionist after a long flight from Newark or London, this is your sanctuary.
The ground floor isn't a lobby in the way your grandma understands it. It’s a "living room." They’ve filled it with Vitra furniture and a massive collection of contemporary art, some of which is locally sourced to give it a bit of Copenhagen soul. The mural in the entrance is a standout, created by local artists to reflect the city's frantic yet organized energy. It’s a place where you actually see people working on MacBooks or sipping a Mikkeller beer, rather than just passing through.
The location is the real heavy hitter. You are literally steps away from Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping streets. You’re a five-minute walk from Tivoli Gardens. If you want to grab a late-night kebab or a high-end smørrebrød, you don't need an Uber. You just walk.
Those Famous (and Tiny) Rooms
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the fact that there’s no room for an elephant.
The rooms at citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen are identical. All of them. Whether you're a CEO or a backpacker with a bit of extra cash, you get the same 14 square meters. If you’re traveling with a partner and you both have massive hardshell suitcases, things are going to get intimate. Fast.
🔗 Read more: Why the Map of Colorado USA Is Way More Complicated Than a Simple Rectangle
The bed is huge—a true XL King—and it’s shoved against the window. It’s incredibly comfortable, featuring linens that feel much more expensive than the nightly rate suggests. But because the bed takes up about 50% of the floor space, you have to climb over your partner if you’re the one sleeping by the window and you need to pee at 3:00 AM.
The "MoodPad" tablet controls everything. Lighting, blinds, temperature, the TV. You can turn the bathroom purple or the whole room a "party" red. It’s fun for the first ten minutes. After that, you just want to figure out how to turn the reading light off without accidentally opening the blackout blinds and flashing the people in the office building across the street.
The Shower Situation
The shower is a pod. A very high-tech, very clean pod with great water pressure. The citizenM-branded AM and PM soaps actually smell fantastic—think citrus for the morning and something herbal for the night.
However, the bathroom isn't a separate room with a thick, soundproof door. It’s a frosted glass cylinder. If you’re staying with someone you’ve only known for two weeks, be prepared to get very comfortable with each other’s morning routines. It’s a design choice that prioritizes aesthetics and space-saving over total privacy.
Living the Nordic Lifestyle (Without the Nordic Price Tag)
Copenhagen is expensive. Seriously. A coffee and a pastry can easily set you back $15 if you aren't careful. citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen tries to offset this by offering a breakfast buffet that is actually worth the money.
They don't do soggy scrambled eggs in silver chafing dishes. Instead, you get high-quality Danish pastries (real ones, not the stuff you find in plastic bags), fresh sourdough, local cheeses, and decent coffee. It’s enough to fuel a walk all the way down to Nyhavn or a bike ride out to Refshaleøen.
The CanteenM Factor
The 24/7 canteen is a lifesaver. Copenhagen is a city that likes to sleep, and finding food after 11:00 PM that isn't a 7-Eleven hot dog (though those are legendary) can be a challenge. The bar at citizenM stays open, and they serve actual meals—sandwiches, salads, hot dishes—around the clock.
💡 You might also like: Bryce Canyon National Park: What People Actually Get Wrong About the Hoodoos
The cocktails are surprisingly legit. They aren't just pouring gin and tonics; they have a curated menu that holds its own against some of the nearby cocktail bars in Vesterbro.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Hotel
There’s a misconception that citizenM is a "budget" hotel. It’s not. It’s a "lean luxury" hotel.
What’s the difference?
A budget hotel cuts corners on the things you touch. Thin towels, scratchy sheets, bad Wi-Fi. citizenM does the opposite. They cut out the things you don't actually use—bellhops, trouser presses, room service, chocolate on the pillow—and put that money into the Wi-Fi (which is lightning fast and free) and the bed quality.
If you go in expecting a massive suite with a desk to write your next novel, you'll be disappointed. If you go in expecting a tech-forward basecamp that lets you spend your money on Michelin-starred dinners instead of a room you only sleep in, you’ll love it.
The Logistics: Getting There and Getting Around
Getting to citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen from the airport is a breeze. You take the train or the metro to Copenhagen Central Station (København H) or the Rådhuspladsen metro station. From the Central Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk. If you take the M3 Cityringen (the subway), the Rådhuspladsen stop drops you basically at the front door.
Pro tip: Don't bother with a car. Parking in central Copenhagen is a nightmare and costs a fortune. Use the "Donkey Republic" orange bikes or just walk. The hotel is perfectly positioned for "Copenhagenizing" your trip.
📖 Related: Getting to Burning Man: What You Actually Need to Know About the Journey
Dealing with the Noise
You are in the middle of the city. City Hall Square is where protests happen, where concerts happen, and where people celebrate after football matches.
The windows at citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen are remarkably thick. Triple-glazed, usually. For the most part, the city noise stays outside. However, if you are a light sleeper, ask for a room on a higher floor or one facing away from the main square. The rooms facing the inner courtyard are much quieter, though you lose the view of the city’s copper spires and neon signs.
The Sustainability Angle
Denmark is obsessed with sustainability, and the hotel plays along. You won't find tiny plastic shampoo bottles that end up in the ocean. They use large, refillable dispensers. The building itself is designed to be energy efficient. Even the "MoodPad" system is designed to shut everything down when it senses the room is empty, saving a massive amount of electricity over the course of a year.
It’s subtle, but it fits the Danish ethos.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you've decided to pull the trigger on a stay at citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen, here is how to make it actually work for you:
- Download the App Before You Arrive: You can use your phone as a room key and control the lights before you even step inside. It saves you five minutes at the kiosk.
- Request a High Floor: The views of the Copenhagen skyline, especially at sunset when the lights of Tivoli start to twinkle, are worth the ask.
- Skip the Suitcase: If you can travel with a carry-on or a backpack, do it. Storage under the bed is designed for standard carry-on sizes. Large trunks will just become obstacles you have to jump over.
- Use the Living Room: Don't rot in your room. The downstairs area is one of the best "third spaces" in the city for travelers.
- Explore the Backstreets: Walk behind the hotel into the "Latinerkvarteret" (Latin Quarter). You’ll find incredible coffee shops like Democratic Coffee and vintage stores that are much more interesting than the big chains on Strøget.
Copenhagen is a city of design, and citizenM fits right into that narrative. It's smart, it's a bit cheeky, and it understands exactly what a modern traveler needs—and exactly what they don't. Just mind your head when you're climbing into that window bed.