Hilton Helsinki Strand
A hotel not located too far from the city centre, and with excellent river views and service, coupled with a nice executive lounge, makes for a worthy stay (P.S. for a Hilton Diamond member).
Hilton Helsinki Strand
GLO Hotel Kluuvi
Helsinki Highlights
HEL-SIN (Finnair New Premium Economy Class)
How I Decided To Book It
While assisting the missus in finding suitable hotels near her workshop venue, my initial inclination was to explore Hilton or GHA Discovery (with a preference for Hilton due to my newly-minted Diamond status).
Within the Hilton brand, there are two choices: one located at Helsinki Strand, the other at Kalastajatorppa (I will let you pronounce that). Considering the criteria of convenience and price, Helsinki Strand aligns more closely with the desired specifications, despite being slightly more affordable.
Price
Paid for by the missus’ company, but it was about S$322/night. We stayed for 3 nights in the Executive Room, which offers the following benefits:
Courtyard or canal view (we got the latter)
Executive Lounge benefits, with evening cocktails and all-day refreshments
Complimentary breakfast (but not as important due to my Hilton Diamond status)
We were pleasantly surprised to receive a suite upgrade on the final day. It was a thoughtful gesture from the hotel staff to inform us about this delightful arrangement!
This further enhanced the value proposition of the price point.
Check-In
My wife arrived ahead of me, and I joined her two days later, arriving late at night via a bus that conveniently stops right outside the hotel. By the way, navigating Helsinki using public transportation is incredibly easy! Here's a pro tip: download the HSL app to purchase your tickets or day passes.
Since it was late at night, there were no crowds, making the check-in process exceptionally smooth.
I only took pictures of the lobby the following morning, and I particularly liked the hotel's interior furnishings, which were remarkably beautiful and featured great views of the Helsinki waterfront. This was pleasantly surprising considering my initial impression of the hotel's exterior.
Room - King Suite with Canal View
For some reason, I neglected to capture any photos of the Executive Room. But I did take photos of the King Suite with Canal View, spanning an impressive 60 square meters! The suite's aesthetics were truly pleasing, characterized by the quintessential color tones of Scandinavian design. As implied by the room type, it provided splendid vistas of the canal, which became even more enchanting during our midsummer stay when the sun set exceptionally late.
The suite essentially consisted of two connecting rooms merged together, offering a distinct living space with a sofa, 47-inch HD LED TVs, and a cosy work desk. What stood out were the conveniently placed USB charging points by the bedside, a feature shared with the Executive Room. Kudos to the designers of the revamped hotel rooms for this thoughtful touch!
Additional amenities encompass a well-stocked mini-bar (pricey 🤑) and two separate wardrobes, catering to both him and her.
Bathroom
Notably, the suite also boasted separate bathrooms, which earned a thumbs-up from the missus! Sadly, there was no rain shower available, and the shower was integrated into the bathtub layout, a common arrangement seemingly found in many Scandinavian hotels.
Bathroom amenities were from Crabtree and Evelyn. Personally, I find their verbena and lemon scent to be more preferable compared to the newer options.
Executive Lounge Experience and Dining
As previously mentioned, both the Executive Room and Suite provided access to the Executive Lounge. It was relocated from the Executive level (next to the spa and fitness area) to the main restaurant at Level 1, Pizzorante BRO, with a designated area tucked away at the rear of the restaurant.
Despite this change, which was expected to be less intimate, the evening cocktails proved to be quite enjoyable and still felt quiet and exclusive enough. The food quality during this time was fantastic and sufficiently satisfying for dinner.
I also had the opportunity to try the local beer, Lapin Kulta, which I had previously enjoyed when I first encountered it in Singapore. The locally brewed version seemed to taste even better.
Each evening, after indulging in the evening cocktails, we would return to our room and take a moment to appreciate the captivating canal views through the window:
Breakfast was served at Pizzorante BRO as well, following the customary continental breakfast style common in this region. However, the food quality remained uncompromised and the flavors were still very delicious.
Facilities
Our suite was conveniently located in close proximity to the closed Executive Lounge and integrated spa and fitness centre, showcasing a distinctive layout that is in my opinion, very characteristic of Scandinavia.
To begin with, the facility boasted a fully equipped gym:
Next was the sauna with shower facilities. I am proud to say that I lasted a commendable total of.....15 minutes 😛
And now the most impressive highlight: a swimming pool with an aqua-rium! It provided the closest experience to swimming alongside the fishes within a hotel setting 🐟
Additionally, there was a sun terrace that offered awe-inspiring views of the canal during sunset.
Service
The service we received was mostly friendly and efficient. It was especially noteworthy how meticulous they were in attending to Hilton Diamond members. Despite the suite's full occupancy, we were pleasantly surprised when they went above and beyond to arrange a suite upgrade for us on the last day. This unexpected gesture truly enhanced our overall experience during our stay.
Conclusion
In summary, we had a great stay at Hilton Helsinki Strand. The hotel serves as an excellent base for exploring Helsinki, with its convenient location near Helsinki City Centre. The combination of comfortable rooms, a satisfying executive lounge experience, and exceptional service added to the overall appeal. Not to forget the captivating canal views and the unique swimming pool with an aquarium!
After the missus’ workshop, we relocated to another hotel situated right in the heart of the city centre (and GHA-affiliated), allowing us to fully explore Helsinki together. Read on!
