Finding a place to crash in Copenhagen is honestly a nightmare if you hate overpaying. You’ve got these hyper-luxurious spots like Nimb or Hotel d’Angleterre that cost a literal fortune, and then you’ve got hostels that feel like, well, hostels. But then there’s The Square hotel in Copenhagen. It’s sitting right there on Rådhuspladsen—the City Hall Square—and it’s kind of the ultimate "middle child" of the Danish hotel scene. Not too flashy, but way better than basic.
The first thing you notice isn't the lobby. It’s the vibe of the square itself. You’re standing in the literal heart of the city. To your left, the neon lights of Tivoli Gardens are glowing. To your right, the start of Strøget, one of Europe’s longest pedestrian streets, is humming with people grabbing coffee or hunting for Danish design. This hotel doesn't try to compete with the historical grandiosity of the city; it just lets you live inside it.
The Design Choice Nobody Tells You About
People hear the name and think, "Oh, it’s just a square building." That’s true. But the name is also a nod to the location. The architecture is quintessential Danish minimalism from a specific era—think clean lines and a total lack of clutter. It was designed by the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group, which basically owns half the city's hospitality market, but this specific property feels a bit more personal than their more corporate-leaning spots like Wakeup.
The rooms are... interesting. You won't find 18th-century gold leaf here. Instead, it’s all about the "Square" theme. Everything is geometric. The headboards, the desks, even the way the towels are folded. It feels very deliberate. Some people call it clinical. I call it quiet. Copenhagen is a loud, bustling city, especially around the City Hall area where the buses and the Metro M3/M4 lines converge. When you step into the lobby, the sound just dies. The soundproofing is actually one of the best-kept secrets here. You can watch the madness of the Rådhuspladsen from your window while sitting in total silence. It’s kinda surreal.
Why the Location is Actually a Double-Edged Sword
Let’s be real: being at Rådhuspladsen means you are at ground zero. This is where the protests happen, where the New Year’s Eve fireworks go off, and where every major event starts. If you want a "hidden gem" in a quiet residential neighborhood like Østerbro, this isn't it.
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However, if you have 48 hours to see the city, you basically have to stay here.
- The Central Station (København H) is a five-minute walk.
- Tivoli Gardens is basically your backyard.
- The Glyptoteket (the best museum in the city, don't @ me) is just around the corner.
The trade-off is the "tourist tax." Not a literal tax, but the fact that the cafes immediately downstairs are going to charge you 60 DKK for a mediocre latte because they can. To find the "real" Copenhagen, you have to walk ten minutes north into the Latin Quarter. That’s where the locals actually hang out at places like Paludan Bogcafé. Staying at The Square hotel in Copenhagen gives you the convenience of the center but requires you to have the discipline to walk away from it to find the good food.
The Rooftop Breakfast Situation
Okay, we need to talk about the sixth floor. This is where the breakfast is served, and it’s arguably the best part of the building. Most hotels in this price bracket stick you in a basement or a windowless room on the ground floor. Not here. The breakfast room has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the rooftops of Copenhagen. You can see the spire of the City Hall and the weird, golden weather-girl statue (the Vejrpigerne) on the Richshuset building across the street.
The food is standard Danish fare. Don't expect a custom omelet station with a chef in a tall hat. It’s rye bread (rugbrød), high-quality butter, sliced meats, and those tiny, incredible Danish pastries that are actually called "Vienna bread" (wienerbrød) locally. It’s consistent. It’s reliable. It’s very Danish.
A Quick Reality Check on Room Sizes
Danish hotel rooms are notoriously small. If you’re coming from the US or even the UK, you might walk into a Standard Room and think you’ve been put in a closet.
It’s not a mistake. It’s just how they build here.
The "Standard" rooms are tight. If you’re traveling with two people and three suitcases, you’re going to be playing Tetris. If you can swing it, the "Executive" rooms or the Junior Suites are where the value actually is. They give you enough floor space to actually breathe, and usually, they come with a better view of the square.
The Sustainability Factor (Because it’s Denmark)
You can't talk about a Copenhagen hotel without mentioning Green Key. The Square is part of this certification. This isn't just "please reuse your towel" signs. It’s integrated. The heating systems, the waste management, the local sourcing of the food—it’s all monitored.
Sometimes this annoys travelers who want a new plastic water bottle every day. You won't get that. You’ll get a glass carafe and a tap. Why? Because Danish tap water is some of the cleanest, best-tasting water in the world. It literally comes from deep groundwater wells and isn't chlorinated to death like in London or NYC. Drink it. It’s free.
Navigating the Competition
Why pick this over the CitizenM nearby or the Radisson Collection Royal?
The Radisson (the world’s first designer hotel by Arne Jacobsen) is a landmark. It’s beautiful. It’s also significantly more expensive.
The CitizenM is trendy and "tech-forward," but it can feel a bit like a spaceship.
The Square hotel in Copenhagen sits in that sweet spot where it feels like a professional hotel but doesn't have the pretension of the luxury brands. It’s for the traveler who wants to be in the middle of everything, wants a clean, modern aesthetic, and doesn't want to pay for a "lifestyle brand" marketing budget.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Area
There's a common misconception that the City Hall Square is "dangerous" at night. Let's clarify: Copenhagen is one of the safest cities on the planet. "Dangerous" here usually means someone might ask you for spare change or there’s a group of loud teenagers near the 7-Eleven. Compared to almost any other major capital city, it’s a playground.
The real danger is the bikes. Seriously.
When you exit the hotel, you are crossing a major bike artery. If you step into the bike lane without looking, you will get hit. And the cyclists won't be happy about it. They are commuting, not sightseeing. Look both ways—twice.
Actionable Tips for Your Stay
If you’ve decided to book, or you’re already there, here is how you actually maximize the experience without getting fleeced.
- Skip the hotel dinner. The breakfast is great because of the view, but for dinner, walk five minutes into the "pisserenden" (the old nickname for the Latin Quarter). Go to a place like Dalle Valle if you’re on a budget, or Höst if you want world-class Nordic food that won't cost as much as Noma.
- Use the Metro. The Rådhuspladsen station is right outside. Don't take taxis. Taxis in Copenhagen are incredibly expensive because they’re mostly Teslas and Mercedes. The Metro runs 24/7 and is one of the most efficient systems in existence.
- The "Hidden" Lounge. There is a lounge area on the top floor that is separate from the breakfast room. In the afternoon, it’s usually empty. If you’re a digital nomad or just need to get some work done, it has some of the best views in the city and is much quieter than a coffee shop.
- Check the mini-bar prices. Seriously. Just walk to the Netto or 7-Eleven across the square if you want a beer or a snack. You’ll save about 70%.
- Request a high floor. The square is beautiful, but the street-level noise (mostly the "hum" of the city) is significantly lower once you get above the 4th floor.
Staying at The Square hotel in Copenhagen is a functional choice. It’s for people who value their time and their location over having a gold-plated bathroom sink. It puts you in the center of the Danish story, right where the old city meets the new. Just remember to pack a good pair of walking shoes—you’re going to need them.
To get the most out of your trip, download the Rejseplanen app for transport and the Doneer app for restaurant bookings. Copenhagen moves fast, and having the right tools makes you feel less like a tourist and more like someone who actually knows what they're doing.