Scandic Hotel Marski, Helsinki

Advantages: pool, restaurant, ambassador lounge, comfortable rooms
Disadvantages: Not especially cheap

...My mum frequently comes to Finland on business and this is where she stays whenever she's in Helsinki. This means it's the place I've stayed on all my previous visits here. I've never found a reason to complain about it, but then again, my mum has always been the one paying. Scandic are a big company who have hotels all over Finland, as well as in Swedon and, I think, Norway. --- Location and Transport--- The Scandic is on Mannerhiemintie, which is a large street running straight through the city centre. It's about five or ten minutes walk from the very centre of town, but there's a tram stop right outside if it's cold or you're feeling lazy. Three different numbers of trams run down Mannerhiemintie at this point, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. The Finnair bus, which goes directly to the airport, stops immediately behind... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Central location, good facilities, comfortable
Disadvantages: -

...The Hilton Helsinki Strand used to be part of the Scandic Intercontinental hotel chains, until becoming a Hilton Hotel. I recently stayed for four nights as I was attending a conference in Helsinki and its location was very convenient for the Bank of Finland - it was a pleasant 5-10 minute walk along Unionkatu to the Bank. Our local organisers had negotiated a rate of EUR 125 per room per night for single occupancy - otherwise this rate is only possible at weekends. The off-the-peg rate for a single room is usually about EUR 160 from what I have been able to make out. The hotel is located very centrally - being only a few metres walk from Hakaniemi Square, where there is an underground station as well as buses to Vantaa airport. A walk into the city centre (e.g. to the main station) is no more than 15 minutes walk and there are also... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's a 'different' place to visit!!
Disadvantages: Seems expensive!!

...Have spent over 20 weeks here during the last 12 months. We’ve spent time in Denmark and Sweden before, so we were surprised to find the culture so different, maybe it’s because of it’s long land border with Russia. Getting from the airport. For 3 or more people a taxi is probably about the same price as buses. The Finnair bus goes from the airport to the railway station, but the locals use the 615 from the next stand, it takes about 10 minutes longer as it’s the local bus service, but still goes to the railway station and is currently about a third cheaper. Do get a copy of Helsinki This Week from your hotel or the main Tourist Information Centre near the Harbour. The main events and information are now online at the Tourist Information (www.hel.fi.tourism) and Helsinki Expert (www.helsinkiexpert.fi) websites. In the summer do... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful