photo courtesy of Hilton Hotels

The Hilton Helsinki Airport Hotel — Vantaa (located at Lentajankuja 1 in Vantaa, Finland) is about a 3-4 minute walk to the Helsinki airport terminals and 30 minutes by car to the center of the city.  This hotel has 5 floors (the 5th floor is the Executive Floor) and a full-service restaurant and bar.  I spent 4 nights at this wonderful hotel and would definitely visit again.

Promotions

Finland is on the Euro so for those of us with weaker currency, it makes fiscal sense to take advantage of the promotions.  I highly recommend pre-paying for hotels that have offers which include breakfast (if your travel schedule is not subject to last minute changes).  As a general rule, I would not recommend pre-booking a hotel too far in advance (at max, a month or so) just because you never know what can happen (i.e. the hotel goes out of business or starts a major renovation that will affect the quality of your stay).  Breakfast tends to be pretty expensive unless you can find a McDonald’s nearby.  By booking ahead, you can save up to 20% on the hotel’s current rates.  Which you can use towards buying some bear liver pate (which is apparently a Finnish delicacy).  🙂

My room at the Hilton Helsinki (Room 240)

 

The Fitness Center/Sauna

Sauna (photo courtesy of Hilton Hotels)

Gym (photo courtesy of Hilton Hotels)

The hotel offers a decent-sized 24 hour gym and sauna.  Now, since you don’t know me, I could say that I worked out at this gym everyday but my pants are screaming out, “LIAR, LIAR PANTS ON FIRE FROM FAT THIGHS RUBBING TOGETHER.”  So, let’s just say that I did check it out and leave it at that, k?  It is one of the better hotel gyms I’ve been to though.

Dining

Restaurant Gui (photo courtesy of Hilton Hotels)

You can dine at the Restaurant Gui where you can choose Finnish dishes (reindeer) or traditional dishes (club sandwich, salmon, hamburgers, etc.).  Breakfast was included in the cost of the room (for Advance Payment reservations or those staying in Executive and Deluxe Rooms or Suites).  It’s buffet-style and they have a wide selection to choose from (cereals, eggs, bacon, sausage, etc.).  Overall, I found the food to be pretty good.  I am not adventurous enough to try reindeer or bear but I did have the club sandwich and chocolate soufflé.  The wait staff is extremely helpful and accommodating.  You really can’t ask for better customer service.

Restaurant & Bar Gui lobby (photo courtesy of Hilton Hotels)

The hotel also has a fully stocked bar next to the restaurant which offers an open fireplace where you can sit and drink.  Which was especially helpful since there was a snowstorm during my visit.

Amenities

In addition to free use of the gym & sauna, each room offers free wireless internet service, LCD flat-screen televisions, a coffee/tea maker (including a selection of teas), Crabtree & Evelyn products, iron & ironing board (do not take this for granted), nightlight and a safe (just to name a few).  For a complete list of amenities, be sure to check out their website.

Overall

I found this hotel to be comfortable and a great value.  The rooms and food were fabulous.  The only negative (if you are using this hotel as a base during a visit to Helsinki) is the distance to the center of the city.  However, if you don’t mind the commute or are looking for a great place to stay before taking an early morning flight, this is the place for you!  Want to know more about Helsinki?   Check out my city review here.

Nikki’s Rating: 4 “Fabulous”

Rating Scale 1-5 (1 = GET OUT NOW; 2 = Seriously?; 3 = Eh, it’ll do; 4 = Fabulous; 5 = Absolutely Wonderful)