Recommended Hotels

Hotels in Helsinki are a homogenous bunch of comfortable, unremarkable chain hotels. Most of them lie within a broad stripe sweeping from Senate Square west to the end of Bulevardi. A further handful are dotted here and there off Mannerheimintie, and the quiet residential Katajanokka district holds another clutch. Another couple lie behind the cathedral and near Hakaniemi Market. Most hotels are within easy walking distance, or at the very most a 15-minute bus- or tram-ride, from the city centre.

Helsinki is so small that there is no special benefit to staying in one area or another, apart from personal preference. Would you like your surroundings to be neoclassical or Jugendstil? Would you prefer a sea view or one of Töölönlahti Bay?

Hotels are listed below first by area, in the order covered in the Where to Go chapter, and then alphabetically.

Approximate prices for a double room in high season:

€€€€ Over €250

€€€ €150–250

€€ €75–150

€ Under €75

Rautatientori

Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre €€€€ Elielinaukio 5, tel: 020 048 103; www.ihg.com. Courteous staff and a clean, modern environment make this large hotel a very good central choice. The Finnair airport bus terminates right outside. Some rooms overlook the bus station, but excellent sound-proofing means you don’t hear a thing. Facilities include air-conditioning, a restaurant, lobby bar and two saunas.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel €€€ Mikonkatu 23, tel: 020 1234 703; www.radissonblu.com. Next to Central Railway Station and the Finnish National Theatre, this hotel occupies a building dating from 1917 that has been renovated to include up-to-date facilities. The 302 air-conditioned rooms include six suites and six rooms for people with disabilities. Cheaper room prices are available that do not include breakfast.

Seurahuone €€€ Kaivokatu 12, tel: 020 048 106; www.hotelliseurahuone.fi. This is one of Helsinki’s most emblematic hotels. Opened in 1833, it was moved to its present position opposite the Central Railway Station in 1914, and well-preserved Jugendstil features give it a singular atmosphere. There are 114 rooms and four suites, mostly non-smoking. It also has a bistro, bar and saunas.

Market Square and Esplanadi

Fabian €€€-€€€€ Fabianinkatu 7, tel: 09 6128 2000; www.hotelfabian.fi. The Fabian’s slogan is “We don’t mind if you stay longer” – and you certainly won’t mind either. The 58-room boutique hotel is one of Helsinki’s best and brightest, with chic rooms full of clever design details. Its Lux rooms, some with private entrances, are designed for longer stays and come with kitchenettes. Conveniently located, two blocks away from the Old Market Hall.

GLO Hotel €€€ Kluuvikatu 4, tel: 010 344 4400; www.glohotels.fi. This unique boutique hotel right off Alexanterinkatu features sizeable modern rooms, with large beds, exposed wood and shimmering black marble. Its services are what the hotel is really known for – there’s even a menu of unusual items that you can order to your room: gym equipment, painting equipment, spa treatments or even a guitar.

Haven €€€€ Unioninkatu 17, tel: 09-681 930, www.hotelhaven.fi. Helsinki’s design hotel changed the face of luxury accommodation in the city when it opened in 2009. It’s a refined option right at the harbourside, with a leather-outfitted lobby is an honesty bar, fireplace and a library of leather-bound books. Rooms look onto the Uspenski Cathedral, and offer Egyptian cotton linens, Bang & Olufsen TVs and Elemis bath products. Free bicycles are available for guests to use.

Kämp Hotel €€€€ Pohjoisesplanadi 29, tel: 09 576 111; www.hotelkamp.com. Opened in 1887, this central neoclassical five-star boasts 189 Belle Epoque rooms and suites with marble bathrooms, polished stonework and lavish furnishings that all evoke a very decadent glamour. There is a gourmet restaurant and a comfortable, relaxing bar.

Katajanokka

Eurohostel € Linnankatu 9, tel: 09-622 0470; www.eurohostel.fi. Next to the Katajanokka ferry terminal, this no-frills hostel has 135 rooms with shared facilities, as well as launderettes, sauna and café. Convenient for those travelling by ship, and just 10 minutes’ walk from the centre.

Katajanokka €€€ Merikasarminkatu 1A, tel: 09 686 45132; www.hotelkatajanokka.fi. Best Western Premier hotel is a fabulous choice with a unique history, being the only Helsinki hotel set in a former prison. The layout is preserved and the well-soundproofed rooms are done up in designer furnishings and linens. Tram No. 4 runs here from the city centre, a journey of about 10 minutes – get off at the Vyökatu stop.

Scandic Grand Marina €€€€ Katajanokanlaituri 7, tel: 09 16 661; www.scandichotels.com. Designed in 1911 by noted Finnish architect Lars Sonck, this Katajanokka hotel offers 470 exquisitely decorated and well-equipped rooms, plus extensive conference facilities, numerous restaurants and a heated garage. One of Helsinki’s newest attractions, the FINNAIR SkyWheel, revolves slowly outside.

Kamppi

Finn €€ Kalevankatu 3 B, tel: 09 684 4360; www.hotellifinn.fi. This is one of the city’s smallest hotels, with just 35 rooms. Its central location and low prices make it a good budget choice. Rooms are small, but clean and functional. Breakfast (extra cost) is served at a restaurant next door.

Helka Hotel €€ Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23, tel: 09 613 580; www.helka.fi. A medium-sized independent hotel, within easy walking distance of the Central Railway Station. Helka has 150 rooms, all of which are decorated in a spare, modern Scandinavian style, with furniture designed by Alvar Aalto, and giant photos of Finnish nature stuck to the ceiling! The buffet breakfast here is a stand-out affair.

Hostel Academica € Hietaniemenkatu 14, tel: 09-1311 4334; www.hostelacademica.fi. This HI-affiliated summer-only hostel has 326 small, modern single and twin rooms with their own shower, plus a kitchenette and fridge. Family rooms and extra beds are also available. Breakfast costs an extra €9.5. The hostel is on a peaceful residential street.

Omena Hotelli €€ Eerikinkatu 24 and Lönnrotinkatu 13, tel: 0600 555 222 (€9 booking fee when you make a phone reservation); https://www.omenahotels.com/en/. These two central Omena hotels are good for thrifty groups or families. Prices are per room, each one furnished with a double bed and two fold-out singles, plus kitchenettes containing a microwave, kettle, coffee machine and fridge. Decor is simple but pleasant, with deep, dark woods. The chain saves on costs by avoiding reception staff: entry is by code, which you are given upon booking. Eerikinkatu is behind the Forum shopping centre, while Lönnrotinkatu is a few streets away by the Old Church.

Radisson Blu Royal €€€€ Runeberginkatu 2, tel: 20 123 4701; www.radissonblu.com. Recently renovated rooms and sunny open dining and bar areas. A favourite with business travellers, and its location next to the Kamppi complex makes it handy for shopping, restaurants and nightclubs.

Scandic Hotel Simonkenttä €€€ Simonkatu 9, tel: 09 68 380; www.scandichotels.com. This is a large, elegant hotel with modern architecture and ecological design. It’s right by the bus station so consider getting a room on the 4th floor or above to lessen street noise – and, of course, to enjoy fine views over the city centre. The restaurant serves international and Scandinavian cuisine, and there’s a roof-top pavilion, three saunas and a gymnasium.

Sokos Hotel Torni €€€ Yrjönkatu 26, tel: 020 1234 604; www.sokoshotels.fi. Helsinki’s tallest building, with 13 floors, opened in 1931 and has rooms in both its Art Deco and Jugendstil buildings – try for those overlooking the courtyard. Its restaurants and bars include the Ateljé (for more information, click here), with its panoramic views, the American Bar, an international cocktail bar, and O’Malley’s, the city’s oldest Irish bar. There are also four saunas.

Mannerheimintie

Helsinki Apartment €€ Töölöntorinkatu 7, tel: 050 367 6916; www.helsinkiapartment.fi. These comfortable and stylish apartments offer an excellent alternative to anonymous Helsinki hotel rooms. The bright rooms contain classic Scandinavian furniture, and have kitchens/kitchenettes and access to laundry facilities. Most of the 15 apartments, located around Kamppi and Töölöntori, are one- and two-bedroomed, but larger options are available. Possibly the best bargain in the city.

Scandic Park €€€−€€€€ Mannerheimintie 46, tel: 09 47 371; www.scandichotels.com. Directly across from Hesperia Park, this is a five-star affair. Economy and standard rooms keep things simple, with wooden floors and soothing colour schemes; superior rooms overlook the bay and are tremendously peaceful. The hotel has a swimming pool, and a swishy rooftop hot tub.

The “Design District”

Anna €€ Annankatu 1, tel: 09-616 621; www.hotelanna.com. This quiet, decently-priced hotel, with 64 comfortable rooms, is set in a shopping quarter in the city centre. A good place for people travelling alone – almost half the rooms are singles.

Holiday Inn Hotel Indigo Bulevardi 26, tel: 020 048 105; www.ihg.com. Award-winning Indigo has 120 boutique rooms, exuding chic Scandi-style. Some of its public areas have had input from up-and-coming Helsinki fashion designer Satu Maaranen. Facilities include a Body, Mind & Soul studio, a fitness centre and a yoga trapeze. The hotel also has an environmental focus: charging points for electric cars and a highly energy efficient LEED® environmental classification rating.

Hostel Diana Park Erottajanpuisto € Uudenmaankatu 9, tel: 09 642 169; http://www.dianapark.fi/. This dinky HI hostel has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and cosy rooms, whether you choose an eight-bed dormitory or a private double. It’s deservedly popular, so book ahead. A 10-minute walk from the railway station; trams 3B and 6 run close by.

Klaus K €€€ Bulevardi 2-4, tel: 020 770 4700; www.klauskhotel.com. Top-of-the-class Klaus K is a chic, family-run boutique hotel. Its small but gorgeous rooms are decorated with a Kalevala-inspired theme, and come with every amenity. They’re a breath of fresh air amongst Helsinki’s often rather bland hotel options. The Sky Lofts have access to a rooftop terrace.

Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel €€€ Ruoholahdenranta 3, tel: 020 1234 707; www.radissonblu.com. Near the bottom of Bulevardi and Hietalahti Market, the Radisson has pleasing views over the western harbour and offers 349 modern, comfortable rooms. It’s about 2.5km (1.5 miles) from the railway station – trams Nos. 6 and 9 stop outside. A good option if you’re catching an early ferry to Tallinn.

Rivoli Jardin €€€€ Kasarmikatu 40, tel: 09 681 500; www.rivoli.fi. In a townhouse right in the heart of the business and shopping area, this 55-room hotel is quiet, clean and has a faintly old-fashioned feel. Rooms are tastefully furnished with all amenities; a buffet breakfast is included, although internet costs extra.

Kallio

Hilton Helsinki Strand €€€€ John Stenbergin ranta 4, tel: 09 39 351; www.helsinki-strand.hilton.com. Just across the Pitkäsilta Bridge from the Botanic Gardens, the Hilton features an impressive atrium with glass lifts. Service is exemplary, and there is an indoor swimming pool.

Scandic Paasi €€€-€€€€. Paasivuorenkatu 5 B, tel: 09 2311 700, www.scandichotels.fi. Close to Hakaniemi Market, and overlooking Eläintarhanlahti Bay, this hotel is packed with personality. Room decor is inspired by the area’s colourful history, and there is a library and bicycle-borrowing scheme for guests.

Suomenlinna

Hostel Suomenlinna € Suomenlinna C 9, tel: 09 684 7471; www.hostelhelsinki.fi. The hostel itself is pleasant but basic; but as it’s the only place to stay within Suomenlinna Fortress, it’s worth staying here for the novelty factor alone – you get to enjoy this Unesco World Heritage site when all the other tourists have caught the boat back to the mainland. Sleeps 38 in dorms and eight private rooms.

Further Afield

Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa €€€€ Kalastajatorpantie 1, tel: 09 45 811; www.hilton.com. This well-known business hotel has 238 comfortable rooms, each with a view of the sea or the verdant park around it. The hotel has its own private beach and six tennis courts. It’s out of the city centre, close to Akseli Gallén-Kallela’s house Tarvaspää, but is linked to central Helsinki by a 20-minute ride on trams Nos. 4 or 4T.