7 of the Best Hotels in Helsinki
Helsinki is one of my personal favourite cities in Europe. An eclectic mix of cityscape and natural views make for a perfect experience, where you can easily dip away from busy streets and find a secluded spot to relax. When the adventures of the day come to a close, we all need somewhere to rest our heads at night.
In this article, I’m going to be sharing seven of the best hotels in Helsinki with you. Hopefully they fill you with inspiration for your own trip.
Learn More: 10 of the Best Things to Do in Helsinki
Choosing the Best Hotels in Helsinki
When choosing the best hotels in Helsinki, I’ve tried to focus on budget, variety and the areas that each hotel can be found in. Helsinki is a beautiful city, with something to suit every type of traveller.
Before beginning, I would recommend making a list of all the things you need a hotel to have. That way, you can compare your list to some of these hotels and find a hotel that suits your needs as an individual perfectly.
1. Hotel Kämp
This five-star Helsinki hotel is where many famous faces have stayed in the past, including The Rolling Stones. If luxury is what you’re looking for, it’s what you’re going to find in Hotel Kämp.
Right in the heart of Helsinki, Ateneum Art Museum and Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art are both just a stone’s throw away. You can easily access the harbour, a charming esplanade and some of the best shopping spots in Helsinki from here.
If you’re looking for something extra special, I would recommend checking out the Kämp Suite. The natural tones and dark wood look perfect together, as does the park outside. Hotel Kämp can be quite an expensive hotel to stay in, but it truly is one of the best in Helsinki.
Learn More: Hotel Kämp (Official Website) | Hotel Kämp (Booking.com)
2. Scandic Grand Marina
Honing in on the past of the waterfront, there’s an industrial-infused charm waiting for you at Scandic Grand Marina. This is one of my favourite hotels in Helsinki, bursting with character and subtle little art nouveau motifs.
The old warehouse building Scandic Grand Marina calls home is a short stroll from the water’s edge, close to Helsinki SkyWheel. It’s also close to Uspenski Cathedral, one of Katajanokka peninsula’s many iconic buildings.
One of the best things about Scandic Grand Marina is that no two rooms are the same. If you have your heart set on one, I would highly recommend contacting Scandic Grand Marina beforehand to see if you can arrange to book that one.
Learn More: Scandic Grand Marina (Official Website) | Scandic Grand Marina (Booking.com)
3. Hotel St. George
An idyllic Helsinki hotel, it’s easy to see how art is brought to life at Hotel St. George. Immediately on entering, you can see Ai Weiwei’s Tianwu, the white dragon. This breathtaking sculpture was created using kite-making techniques and is truly beautiful.
Hotel St. George offers a central location in Helsinki, with a nearby tram stop making it easy to get around. You can reach attractions like Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art by hopping on a tram. Sights like the Old Church of Helsinki are also right on your doorstep.
It’s easy to fall in love with Hotel St. George. Artwork paves the way for life, even in each of the rooms. My favourites would have to be the Coupole Suite, with a balcony overlooking the leafy trees below, and the Finlandia Suite, full of Finnish designs and natural colours.
Learn More: Hotel St. George (Official Website) | Hotel St. George (Booking.com)
4. Hotel Lilla Roberts
I’m always on the lookout for something a little bit different when I’m travelling and Hotel Lilla Roberts ticks all of my boxes. Hopefully it will tick some of yours too. Once a police station, the interior has been completely transformed into one of Helsinki’s best hotels.
Hotel Lilla Roberts can be found down a quiet cobblestone street, yet all of Helsinki’s boutiques neighbouring Esplanadi are just a short walk away. You can jump on a nearby tram to get all over Helsinki and the towering twin spires of St. John’s Church are close by.
An Art Deco theme runs throughout Hotel Lilla Roberts, leaving a firm mark on some incredibly beautiful rooms. Black will always be a striking shade to see in hotel rooms. Here, it adds elegance as the design base.
Learn More: Hotel Lilla Roberts (Official Website) | Hotel Lilla Roberts (Booking.com)
5. Hotel F6
Are you fond of boutique hotels? I know I am. Hotel F6 in Helsinki ticks quite a few of my boxes. If you’re looking for a perfect night’s sleep or a space to just relax and rest, Hotel F6 would be high on my list of recommendations for you.
Hotel F6 can be found on the doorstep of Esplanadi, a leafy park the locals refer to as “Espa”. Some of the best boutiques in the Finnish capital can be found lining the streets around it. I would recommend visiting the Market Square (Kauppatori) on the eastern side. It’s an amazing spot for Finnish food and souvenirs.
With ridiculously comfortable beds, it’s easy to sleep the night away and rest before your next adventure. The rooms do vary and we find the Deluxe Rooms offer more space than the Standard Rooms, as well as a few extra luxurious touches.
Learn More: Hotel F6 (Official Website) | Hotel F6 (Booking.com)
6. GLO Hotel Art
It’s impossible for me to write a list about the best hotels in Helsinki without mentioning GLO Hotel Art. If you’re fond of the occasional fantasy story like I am, this might be the right hotel for you.
An Art Nouveau paradise, GLO Hotel Art is located in a charming stone castle in Helsinki’s Design District. This is where you can find lots of art galleries and hidden gems. The Sinebrychoff Art Museum is just around the corner and trams are easily accessible.
The rooms are all comfortable and fit in with the theme of the hotel. But, I always find myself drawn more to the public areas of GLO Hotel Art, including the charming medieval function hall. Architecture and design really are firm highlights here.
Learn More: GLO Hotel Art (Official Website) | GLO Hotel Art (Booking.com)
Special Pick: Koti
In each of these articles, I like to include a special pick. This is always somewhere unique and somewhere I would happily go back to. My favourite place to stay in Helsinki isn’t actually a hotel, but Koti. When I’m staying in a country for more than just a few weeks, it can be easier to work with a fully-furnished home away from home.
Koti is right in the heart of Helsinki, by the Neo-Gothic spires of St. John’s Church and the Design Museum. From the nearby tram stop, you can easily access every corner of the city. Even Esplanadi is just a short stroll away. It doesn’t really get better than this.
The apartment styles at Koti do vary. The Scandi Apartment is charming, with a style that fits Helsinki perfectly. Yet, Helsinki Lux offers one of the best views you can find in the Finnish capital. If you’re looking for a longer stay option, I’m sure they could have one that you will love.
Staying in the Best Hotels in Helsinki
It’s safe to say that there are a bunch of beautiful hotels in Helsinki. I would recommend looking around to see which you think you’ll enjoy the most, as it really is a city with an option for everyone. The tram system makes it really easy to get around so you don’t have to worry too much about where you are in relation to specific attractions.
I hope that my picks for the best hotels in Helsinki have helped to fill you with inspiration.
Do you have a favourite place to stay in Helsinki or a hotel that you would love to share? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.