Hotel Review
Location:
Scandic Helsinki Hub is a recently opened hotel housed in an impressive former 1920’s print works overlooking Old Church Park, Helsinki. The hotel enjoys a city centre location close to metro and tram routes and is just a short walk from the tree lined Esplanade with its designer shops and stylish cafes. The market square and harbour are also close by for pleasant scenic coastal walks.
Arrival and check-in:
We’d arrived into Helsinki at 10.00 a.m. from the Tallink-Silja Line cruise ferry and as it was only 11.00 a.m. when we arrived at the hotel, we expected to leave our bags. We joined a short queue of guests who were waiting to check out and when it was our turn to be attended to, were pleasantly surprised to gain access to our room straightaway.
The hotel has a large, welcoming lobby with brightly coloured Scandi style furnishings and large windows overlooking the park. There’s a refreshment area in one corner where guests can purchase drinks and small snacks and cosy seating to relax awhile.
The Room:
We had reserved a superior room which was located on the 3rd floor with views across to the park and old church. Due to the former use of the building, rooms tend to vary in shape and size with our room being quite large, well designed and comfortable.
As the hotel has only been open a few months everything is new and in perfect condition. Panels by the door and bedside control lighting settings depending on mood and how bright guests wish the room to be.
The king size bed was extremely comfortable and dressed with high quality cotton bed linen. There were two arm chairs, a bedside table, work area with ample sockets, concealed mini-bar fridge and safe in the cupboard below. A hospitality tray contained a kettle and a selection of teas, coffee and hot chocolate.
Instead of wardrobes the room has pegs set into the wall to hang coats, etc. with shelves above. Several of these pegs can be re-positioned to different layouts if desired. For a three night stay I would have preferred a little more storage space as it was necessary to leave some of our clothes in the suitcase but this was a minor niggle and it didn’t detract from our stay.
I adored the large shower room with its muted tiling and underfloor heating keeping me nice and snug. The huge rainfall shower was powerful and the Swedish Face brand toiletries perfect to pamper ourselves with. Fluffy bathrobes, slippers and luxuriously thick towels added to our comfort.
Dining
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant which although large, has been designed with cosy corners, different kinds of seating arrangements which work well together and views from the large windows of the park and city.
On both mornings there was a vast buffet which included cooked meats, cheese, fresh fruit, yoghurts, hot dishes and breads and pastries. My eyes lit up when I discovered my Finnish favourite of warm Karelian pies served with buttered egg was available. Dinner is also served in this restaurant when it transforms into an Italian trattoria with an inviting bar and courtyard seating for warmer evenings.
Facilities:
Scandic Helsinki Hub features standard and superior rooms with several junior suites also being available. Rooms either have park, courtyard or street views and are of varying sizes with some of the standard rooms actually being larger than superior ones.
The hotel has numerous co-working areas and meeting rooms for corporate guests. Scandic seem to have found just the right balance though as the hotel doesn’t have a corporate feel and we felt very welcome as leisure guests.
As Finland is home of the sauna, Scandic Helsinki Hub has integrated a superb lower ground sauna suite with a relaxation room and a fitness centre in what would have been the former printing works bank vaults.
Fast Wi-Fi was easy to connect to and worked efficiently throughout the hotel without the need to re-connect.
Being a city centre hotel most guests will probably arrive by public transport but an underground car park is provided (additional cost) and bicycles can be loaned out to guests free of charge.
Out and About:
Our visit was during the winter months but these suggestions will mostly also be possible during the summer but instead of taking walks beside the frozen Baltic Sea you can relax on one of the sheltered beaches and enjoy a snack on the terraces of the seaside cafes.
After settling in, take a walk to the bustling Market Square (Kauppatori) located at the South Harbour. Browse the traditional market stalls selling fresh produce, fish, flowers, local handicrafts and souvenirs such as Lappish wooden cups, knitwear and Reindeer rugs.
To one side of the market square lies the Old Market Hall which first opened its doors in 1889. In this quaint old building with its ornate wooden booths you can inspect all the different types of salmon on offer and take a look at the wide selection of local cheese, bread and pastries.
Senate Square
Situated to the rear of the market square stands the neo-classical Senate Square designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. Dominating the square is Helsinki Cathedral, of the Finnish Lutheran Church. This distinctive landmark features a tall green dome surrounded by four smaller domes.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Take the Suomenlinna ferry from the Market Square (the regular HSL transport ticket includes this service). The journey takes just 12 minutes to reach the Suomenlinna fortress. Sit out on the top deck of the ferry as the views are beautiful especially in winter when the boats cut through the frozen sea.
Lauttasaari Island
Lauttasaari is an idyllic island to the west of Helsinki connected by road bridges and more recently by the metro. It’s a haven of tranquillity with its many nature trails, yacht harbours, and beaches. The walking path around the island is 6.7 km in length or for a more leisurely stroll I suggest taking the metro to Lauttasaari station, following signposts to the sea and continuing as far as Koivusaari station.
Seurasaari Island
Take Bus 24 from Kamppi bus station which terminates at Seurasaari. The island is home to an open air museum (closed in winter) but visitors to the island can still walk around viewing the collection of Finnish cottages, farmsteads and old manor houses from the exterior.
Overall:
Scandic have added yet another impressive hotel to their Helsinki portfolio and with its city centre location, stylish rooms, comfortable lounges, working areas, wellness centre and delicious food the Helsinki Hub is a definite winner.
Details: Scandic Helsinki Hub, Annankatu 18, Helsinki, Finland
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