The capital of Finland has many pleasant hotels to choose from. All the hotels I have chosen to this article are in the very heart of Helsinki near the main shopping areas and attractions. You can get good deals on the luxury hotels, especially on the weekends.
The blogger, Kata, is a Finnish flight attendant.
1. Hotel Haven
Hotel Haven is the first member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World chain in Finland. It has 77 individual, stylishly decorated rooms and it is located close to the Helsinki Market Square. To make a visitor feel special the rooms have posh features, such as aromatic spa products of Elemis, a bathrobe of fine Egyptian cotton, Bang & Olufsen entertainment system, bathroom tv, bed linen made of Egyptian cotton in it’s king size beds. Hotel Haven offers many services including spa, gym, conference rooms and three top-quality gourmet restaurants: Havis, Sundmans Krog and G.W. Sundmans of which the last has been mentioned in the Michelin Guide as a ‘Rising Star’. The lounge bar in the hotel lobby has cool and gracious atmosphere to enjoy a glass of champagne.
Check Hotel Haven rates here.
2. Hotel Kämp
This historical hotel was originally built in 1887 by Carl Kämp. A major restoration project, started in 1996, culminated in the reopening of Hotel Kämp in 1999 as a Luxury Collection property of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Hotel Kämp is located in the centre of Helsinki, close to the most prestigious shopping street, Pohjoisesplanadi. Hotel Kämp has 179 rooms and it has accommodated many international pop artists as well as heads of state and even royals. The standard room (Deluxe room) is quite spacious and has a plush marble bathroom. All the suites are individually decorated and have been named by historical Finnish characters. The breakfast is rarely included in the room rate, however I think it’s well worth of the costly price. Hotel offers all the services one could ever need, the Kämp Spa is one of the best in town and the Kämp restaurants Brasserie Kämp and Yume are highly rated.
Check Hotel Kämp rates here.
3. Hotel Fabian
Hotel Fabian is located in a quiet area next to Hotel Haven and it is a short walk away from the Market Square. This hidden gem is is a 58-room boutique hotel with elegant contemporary rooms and a lovely courtyard. If you choose a Lux room, you’ll be provided a “home away from home” experience with a kitchenette and peaceful surroundings or even an own entrance on the ground floor. You can enjoy the fresh and stylish breakfast in a cozy atmosphere with individual service. The hotel doesn’t have it’s own restaurants but there are plenty to choose from very close by.
Check Hotel Fabian rates here.
4. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is conveniently located close to the main railway station, next to the National Theatre. The hotel provides 302 fashionably decorated rooms in historic surroundings. The building itself dates back to 1917, but was newly renovated in 2012. Each room is furnished with a very comfortable bed and there is a modern high-tech feel in the room with a connectivity panel and 42 inch flat screen tv. As a fun “wow factor” there is a tv on a bathroom mirror! Radisson Blu Plaza has a tempting cocktail bar called Bar 7 Blings, which hosts popular and underground acts on Fridays and Saturdays. The Kitzens Restaurant offers the opportunity to create your own dish. The hotel lobby is very cosy with it’s colorful sofas and The Super Breakfast Buffet is considered one of the best hotel breakfast buffets in town.
Check Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel rates here.
5. Klaus K Hotel
Klaus K Hotel is considered as “Finland’s first design hotel” and it has a nice location close to the biggest department store in Helsinki, Stockmann. The hotel has 137 rooms, which aren’t very large at size, though they have four emotional themes; mystical, passion, desire and envy, along with unique designer rooms. The design has been inspired by Finland’s national epic, Kalevala. Klaus K hotel has a unique movie room, designed by Harri Koskinen. It’s like a private movie theatre with a 55″ cinema tv, Playstation 3 and you can choose from 100 movies on a motorized bed. Klaus K has a cool bar, Ahjo Bar & Club, with DJ’s and performers on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s a prime Italian restaurant downstairs as well, Toscanini. The Klaus K breakfast is well-known for its organically produced quality ingredients.
Check Klaus K Hotel rates here.
6. GLO Hotel Kluuvi
GLO Hotel Kluuvi was opened for the first time in 2007. It had an extension with 70 new rooms in summer 2013 with the total amount of 184 contemporary rooms in six categories. It has a convenient location in Kluuvikatu street, next to the historical Hotel Kämp and a few steps away from the main shopping street, Alekstanterinkatu. The standard rooms are smallish in size, however they are equipped with quality Finnish made motorized beds. After all, isn’t the bed the most important thing needed in a hotel room! Glo Hotel guests have an access to the Hotel Kämp gym and there are several nice restaurants and bars to choose from inside and outside the hotel.
Check GLO Hotel Kluuvi rates here.
7. Hilton Helsinki Strand
The Hilton Helsinki Strand hotel is located on the waterfront and approx. 1 km away from the city centre. Hilton Strand is a genuine business hotel with 190 rooms, nine meeting rooms for up to 280 guests, a business center and an executive lounge. Rooms are very spacious and decorated with solid “Hilton quality and style” equipped with large opening windows. There is a sauna, pool and gym complex at the top floor with amazing views. You can also borrow a hotel’s bicycle and ride along the bay or take a boat to the Helsinki Zoo.
Check Hilton Helsinki Hotel rates here.
8. Solo Sokos Hotel Torni
After its opening in 1931 Hotel Torni has gone through many different periods during the war time (WW2). It has been a stage for international diplomacy and has accomodated foreign government elite. Torni means “a tower” in English and it is a classic hotel in the heart of Helsinki with 152 rooms. Every room has its own character with small details, such as tile stoves, works of art and bathrooms with glass walls and cute bathtubs. If you choose a room from the tower part of the building you can enjoy great views over the city. The Ateljee Bar on the top floor is a well-known sightseeing spot. American Bar and Irish-style O’Malley’s downstairs are very popular among locals as well. The Restaurant Torni is known for its high-class kitchen.
Check Solo Sokos Hotel Torni rates here.
9. GLO Hotel Art
GLO Hotel Art was totally renovated in 2012 and it is built inside a century-old Art Nouveau chateau building located a few steps away from the city centre, approx. 700 meters. There are 171 rooms to choose from. Even the small standard rooms are equipped with the high-quality Finnish beds (as in the big sister GLO Hotel Kluuvi). Rooms are combined with modern Scandinavian style and old chateau feeling. The hotel has several fireplaces to give a cozy and intimate atmosphere and The Glo Art Kitchen restaurant is located in a hundred-year-old chateau cellar.
Check GLO Hotel Art rates here.
10. Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä
Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä is a large hotel with 360 rooms. It is located in a busy spot in the centre of Helsinki, next to a big shopping centre, Kamppi. The rooms are decorated with quite typical Scandinavian style; simple and clean, with wooden floors and all the basic needs without any extravagant elements. Some of the rooms have a French balcony as a fun detail. The Restaurant & Café Simonkatu downstairs has great big windows and a view to the lively walking street. You can watch the chefs creating the fresh dishes in this Californian-style cuisine. There’s also a popular Mexican restaurant Colorado Bar & Grill within the hotel building.
Check Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä rates here.
