Helsinki can be called one of the jewels in the crown of the Nordic countries. The city, connected by hundreds of threads with Russian history, cannot fail to attract visitors, and its numerous monuments of history and culture, carefully preserved from ancient times, cannot fail to admire. Although the capital of Finland has been considered a major tourist center for many years, there are noticeably fewer hotels in comparison with other European capitals. However, there is a place to stay in Helsinki for everyone, you just have to look better.
Features of Finnish hotels
Helsinki hotels are somewhat different from their European counterparts - if the Old World relies on the luxury of historical architecture and interiors, the Finns prefer this healthy pragmatism, comfort and functionality. Of course, if you are looking for hotels with boudoir-style rooms, you will find what you are looking for, but most of Helsinki's hotels are focused on simpler requests.
The backbone of the hotel fund is made up of 3-4-star hotels, offering standard rooms and quality service without frills. There are also more luxurious five-star options, but almost all additional services are paid here. All establishments provide guests with a breakfast buffet, which is enough for most tourists.
But what about the famous Finnish saunas? Where can you go without them - you will be offered to warm up in a dry steam room in almost every second hotel, another question is for what money. As a rule, this service is paid, but some establishments, trying to attract customers, include a limited visit to the sauna in the room price.
Price policy
The hospitality of Helsinki is costly for guests and it is a fact. For an unpretentious room in an average hotel you will have to pay 70 € -200 €. For housing in a more prestigious institution - 250 €. Below 60-70 € in Helsinki you will not find accommodation at all, only hostels are cheaper - from 20 €, moreover, if you want to stay in a separate room, albeit without amenities, you will have to pay 40-50 € for it. Helsinki is generally a very expensive city, everything is expensive here, from food and transport to bars and restaurants.
Along with classic hotels, private apartments are widespread, although they are quite expensive. But if you come on vacation in a large group, such accommodation per person will be cheaper and more convenient.
What distinguishes Helsinki from other tourist capitals is that there is no pronounced tourist season or off-season: at different times of the year, the city is equally filled with travelers. This also does not affect the price tags in hotels.
But the rates on weekends and on weekdays differ in favor of the former. The duration of the booking can also have a positive effect on the cost of your vacation - the more time you plan to spend here, the cheaper it will cost. Ordering a room using special sites will also help you save a few extra euros.
Districts of Helsingka
It is not worth saving on a hotel by checking in as far from the center as possible. You will not only waste a lot of time, but also risk overpaying for transport. If you are looking for where to stay in Helsinki, it is wiser to choose hotels, if not in the very center, then in the neighboring areas. Moreover, it makes no sense to settle outside the city in pursuit of economy, the saying "a miser pays twice" in this corner of the planet is true as never before.
When choosing where to live, there are several areas worth considering:
- Kruununhaka.
- Kamppi.
- Callio.
- Etu-Tööle.
- Ruololahti.
- Punavuori.
When looking for a place to stay in Helsinki, it will not be superfluous to consider such areas as Katajanokka, Taka Teole or Kluuvi.
Kruununhaka
Or simply Kruna, as the Finns themselves affectionately call him. The historical heart of the city and its tourist center, the owner of the main attractions, the best hotels, the most expensive shops, as well as the main semi-official district - the seat of the administrative resource. The State Council, City Hall and other governing bodies are located here. It is not surprising that the area is considered the elite among the elite.
Having settled here, you can stroll around Senate Square every day, admire the bay from the picturesque embankment, drink coffee in the best cafeterias in the city, or explore the luxurious heritage of architecture, of which there are many.
Krun is home to the Cathedral Assembly and the Presidential Palace, the Sederholm House and the Old Town Hall, better known as the Boca House. And on the Senate Square there is a monument to Alexander II - a sign of gratitude to the Russian emperor.
Hotels where you can stay in the center of Helsinki: Next Hotel Rivoli Jardin, Cozy Apartment, Historic center cozy apartment, Kongressikoti Hotel, Kruna Downtown, Radisson Blu Plaza, Cumulus City Kaisaniemi, Hotel Arthur, Best Western Carlton, Kämp, Hilton Helsinki Strand, Hotel F6, Scandic Grand Marina, Hotel Fabian, Scandic Paasi, Lilla Roberts.
Kamppi
One of the oldest districts and another central quarter, where it is good to stay if you come on a sightseeing vacation or plan to walk among the historical heritage.
This place can be called a district of museums, since the number of exhibitions, galleries, exhibition centers and other entertainment establishments is really great. The Ateneum Museum, Natural History Museum, Exhibition Hall of Urban Art, House of Music, Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma are just the most famous of them.
Every day the area hosts all kinds of exhibitions, concerts and other events, so it cannot be boring here by definition. There is also the famous Church of Silence, in parallel you can see the parliament building, the Press House and many historical buildings.
By choosing Kamppi where to stay in Helsinki, you guarantee yourself an unforgettable vacation and dynamic pastime.
Hotels: Radisson Blu Royal, Omena Hotel Helsinki Lönnrotinkatu, Forenom Aparthotel, Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Glo Hotel Art, Scandic Simonkenttä, Hotel Finn, Radisson Blu Aleksanteri Hotel, Scandic Marski, Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, The Yard Concept Hostel, Diana Park, Hotel Klaus K.
Callio
The most youthful and active part of the city, in addition, Kallio can be called the most drunken area in Helsinki due to the large number of bars and alcohol market located here. Kallio is home to many local artists, musicians and other bohemian personalities, there are also galleries, private studios, mini-concert halls. Here you can take a whirl and dance or take a steam bath. Plus a large number of inexpensive shops and shops. Many theaters of all kinds have been opened. For an amateur - gay bars and clubs.
Family vacationers are unlikely to enjoy the diverse culture and public of the area, but just in case there are several walking areas and a park with modern attractions and a summer amphitheater, an oceanarium. The Finns themselves are attracted by the flea market located in Kallio - the largest in the entire capital.
Attractions are represented by the church of the beginning of the last century, the City Theater, the Skala Church, the library building and other heritage sites of the 20th century.
Hotels: Cumulus City Hakaniemi, Artist Apartment Susi, Cumulus Kallio Helsinki, Cumulus Olympia, Hotel Ava, CheapSleep Helsinki, Hotel Seurahuone Helsinki.
Etu-Tööle
This cute and very respectable area is located not far from the center and allows you to quickly get to the desired tourist sites. Although there are a lot of them in the area itself. For example, the National Museum or the House of Finland. Here you can stay in Helsinki with your family and ordinary tourists, not burdened with small companions.
Etu Tööle is notable for its early 20th century buildings. Fired red brick buildings and neoclassical mansions add flavor to it. There are many park areas and simply picturesque squares in the area, and on one of the streets there is a jazz restaurant where you can listen to excellent live music.
Hotels: Hotel Helka, Hellsten Helsinki Parliament, Go Happy Home, Kamppi Residence, Hostel Domus Academica, Hostel Academica Apartments, Comodo Apartments Helsinki City.
Ruololahti
A young and thriving area, whose main advantage is its proximity to the central quarters - just one metro stop away. If the old districts of Helsinki flaunt exquisite historical buildings, here we are greeted by examples of modern architecture - glass and metal monoliths, whimsical buildings of the most unimaginable forms and typical high-rise buildings. Comfort and walking mood in Ruololahti is supported by a beautiful equipped promenade and a bridge over the bay.
So that guests are not bored, the area offers to visit the Museum of Theater Arts, the Museum of Photographic Art, the Museum of Restaurant Business or go to the conservatory. The hotels are also housed in futuristic buildings and offer excellent service in bold contemporary interiors.
Hotels where you can stay in Helsinki: Holiday Inn Helsinki West-Ruoholahti, Clarion Hotel Helsinki, Sleep Well Apartments Helsinki, Apartment Koydenpunojankatu, Apartment with Urban Sea View and Sauna, Nordic Hotel Helsinki, Health Care Hotel, GLO Hotel Art.
Punavuori
Shopping and commerce area. Several dozen side streets are lined with hundreds of shops, boutiques, shops, boutiques, showrooms and studios offering all sorts of things from advanced Finnish brands. Everything is sold here, from furniture to pins, the main thing is that there is enough money.
And with all this, there is a design quarter, as the townspeople call it, just a few streets from the center and you can even get here on foot.
Hotels: Hotel Anna, EasyHomes Viiskulma, Ateljé Helsinki, Unilla IsoRoba Apartment, Hostel Diana Park, Punavuorenkatu Apartment, Penthouse Helsinki, Merimiehenkatu Apartment, Fresh Studio Center Helsinki, City Apartment Albertinkatu.
