Finland: The Luxury Urban Adventure Begins in These Hotels in Helsinki

Helsinki

Welcome to Helsinki, the vibrant seaside capital of Finland. A city where cutting-edge design and technology meet stunning natural beauty, Helsinki is a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures. From its striking architecture to its serene archipelago, this guide to the best luxury hotels in Helsinki will help you begin your urban adventure in style.

Welcome to Helsinki: The Daughter of the Baltic

Welcome to Helsinki, the vibrant and beautiful seaside capital of Finland. A city where cutting-edge design and technology seamlessly meet stunning natural beauty, Helsinki is a unique and captivating blend of Eastern and Western European cultures. From its striking neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture to its serene and expansive archipelago of over 300 islands, our comprehensive guide to the best luxury hotels in Helsinki will help you find the perfect and ideally located accommodation to begin your unforgettable Finnish urban adventure.

Finland: The Luxury Urban Adventure Begins in These Hotels in Helsinki

1. Hotel Kämp

The Place: The most iconic and historic grand hotel in Finland, located on the beautiful Esplanadi park. Since 1887, Hotel Kämp has been a symbol of timeless elegance and classic luxury. It has hosted royalty, presidents, and artists, offering a palpable sense of history and unparalleled grandeur, the true grande dame of luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The magnificent, original Mirror Room, with its crystal chandeliers and gilded details, is a spectacular and historic setting for any grand event.

1. Hotel Kämp: The Grand Dame of Finland

The Place: As the most iconic and historic grand hotel in all of Finland, Hotel Kämp is magnificently located on the beautiful and central Esplanadi park. Since it first opened its doors in 1887, the Kämp has been a true symbol of timeless elegance and classic European luxury. It has hosted royalty, presidents, and celebrated artists, offering a palpable sense of history and unparalleled grandeur. It is the undisputed grande dame of all luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The magnificent and historic Mirror Room (‘Peilisali’), with its original, ornate crystal chandeliers, beautiful ceiling details, and gilded accents, is a spectacular and historic setting for any grand event or a luxurious breakfast experience.

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2. Hotel St. George, Helsinki

The Place: A sophisticated and art-filled hotel housed in a magnificent historic building opposite the Old Church Park. The St. George offers a holistic approach to modern luxury, with a focus on art, design, and well-being. It is celebrated for its serene interiors and its own in-house bakery, distinguishing it from other luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s stunning ‘Wintergarden’ lounge, located in the heart of the building under a spectacular glass roof, is a beautiful and serene social hub.

2. Hotel St. George, Helsinki: A Sanctuary of Art and Wellness

The Place: A sophisticated and art-filled hotel, the St. George is housed in a magnificent historic building from the 1840s, located opposite the beautiful Old Church Park. This hotel offers a holistic approach to modern luxury, with a strong focus on art, innovative design, and overall well-being. It is celebrated for its serene, minimalist interiors, its own in-house artisanal bakery, and its impressive art collection, distinguishing it from other luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s stunning ‘Wintergarden’ lounge, located in the very heart of the building under a spectacular and historic glass roof, is a beautiful and serene social hub, perfect for enjoying a coffee amidst impressive art pieces.

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3. The Hotel Maria

The Place: A new and exquisite urban sanctuary, this hotel is comprised of four historic buildings from the 19th century in the heart of the Kruununhaka district. The Hotel Maria offers an unparalleled level of privacy and wellness-focused luxury. It features spacious suites, a dedicated spa, and a refined atmosphere, a new benchmark for luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The magnificent spa and wellness center, with its large, beautiful swimming pool and extensive thermal suite, offers a truly serene and luxurious escape.</p

3. The Hotel Maria: A New Era of Exclusive Luxury

The Place: A new and exquisitely designed urban sanctuary, this hotel is comprised of four beautifully restored historic buildings from the 19th century in the heart of the prestigious Kruununhaka district. The Hotel Maria offers an unparalleled level of privacy and wellness-focused luxury in the city. It features exceptionally spacious suites (many with their own private spas), a dedicated grand spa, and a refined, residential atmosphere, setting a new benchmark for luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The magnificent Maria Spa and wellness center, with its large, beautiful swimming pool, extensive thermal suite, and a serene atmosphere of quiet luxury, offers a truly world-class and deeply relaxing urban escape for guests.

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4. Hotel Haven

The Place: An elegant and intimate boutique hotel with a prime location by the South Harbour, next to the Market Square. Hotel Haven is celebrated for its warm, colonial-inspired design, its cozy and inviting atmosphere, and its stunning sea views. It offers a sophisticated and comfortable home-away-from-home experience among the boutique luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful Bar Haven, with its cozy fireplace and extensive collection of fine spirits, is the perfect spot for a relaxing evening drink.

4. Hotel Haven: An Intimate Waterfront Retreat

The Place: An elegant and intimate boutique hotel with a prime location by the South Harbour, right next to the vibrant Market Square. Hotel Haven is celebrated for its warm, classic, colonial-inspired design, its cozy and incredibly inviting atmosphere, and its stunning sea views from its premium rooms. It offers a sophisticated and comfortable home-away-from-home experience and is a top choice among the boutique luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful and sophisticated Bar Haven, with its cozy fireplace, comfortable armchairs, and extensive collection of fine spirits from around the world, is the perfect and most elegant spot for a relaxing evening drink.

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5. Marski by Scandic

The Place: A vibrant and iconic hotel that has been beautifully reimagined, masterfully blending its original 1960s modernist character with a contemporary, Finnish-inspired design. Located in the heart of the city, Marski is a lively hub that celebrates Helsinki’s urban culture. It’s a modern and stylish choice for those seeking unique luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s legendary street-level bar is a vibrant social hub, popular with both locals and guests for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere.

5. Marski by Scandic: A Reimagined Finnish Icon

The Place: A vibrant and iconic hotel, the Marski has been beautifully and completely reimagined, masterfully blending its original 1960s modernist character with a contemporary, playful, and distinctly Finnish-inspired design. Located in the absolute heart of the city, Marski is a lively hub that celebrates Helsinki’s unique urban culture (‘Helsinki-ness’). It’s a modern and stylish choice for those seeking unique luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s legendary street-level Marski Bar is a true Helsinki institution. It has been beautifully restored and now serves as a vibrant social hub, popular with both locals and guests for its creative cocktails and lively atmosphere.

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6. Hotel Lilla Roberts

The Place: A chic and stylish boutique hotel housed in a former power plant and police station, a beautiful 1930s Art Deco building. Located in the heart of the Design District, Lilla Roberts is celebrated for its elegant, timeless design, its cozy atmosphere, and its focus on detail. It is a true hidden gem among the luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful and atmospheric lobby bar, with its dramatic, high ceilings and cozy Art Deco-inspired decor, is a perfect spot for an intimate cocktail.

6. Hotel Lilla Roberts: Art Deco Elegance in the Design District

The Place: A chic and incredibly stylish boutique hotel, Lilla Roberts is housed in a former power plant and police station, a beautiful 1930s Art Deco building designed by Selim A. Lindqvist. Perfectly located in the heart of the city’s renowned Design District, the hotel is celebrated for its elegant, timeless design, its cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and its meticulous focus on detail. It is a true hidden gem among the luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful and atmospheric lobby bar, Lilla e, with its dramatic, high ceilings, original details, comfortable seating, and cozy Art Deco-inspired decor, is a perfect and intimate spot for enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail.

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7. Lapland Hotels Bulevardi

The Place: A unique hotel that brings the serene, mystical atmosphere of Lapland to the heart of Helsinki’s Design District. The hotel is celebrated for its beautiful, nature-inspired Scandinavian design, its focus on tranquility, and its unique in-room saunas. It offers a truly unique and relaxing experience, a standout among themed luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The in-room private saunas, available in most rooms, allow you to experience the quintessential Finnish wellness ritual in the comfort and privacy of your own space.

7. Lapland Hotels Bulevardi: An Arctic Oasis in the City

The Place: A unique and serene hotel that brings the mystical and tranquil atmosphere of Finnish Lapland to the heart of Helsinki’s bustling Design District. The hotel is celebrated for its beautiful, nature-inspired modern Scandinavian design, its strong focus on tranquility and relaxation, and its unique inclusion of in-room saunas. It offers a truly unique and relaxing experience, a standout among themed luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The private saunas, which are available in the majority of the rooms and suites, allow you to experience the quintessential and sacred Finnish wellness ritual in the complete comfort and privacy of your own space.

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8. Hilton Helsinki Strand

The Place: A classic and elegant hotel with a prime waterfront location, offering beautiful views over the Baltic Sea. The Hilton Helsinki Strand is celebrated for its magnificent, light-filled central atrium and its stunning top-floor swimming pool. It provides a serene and sophisticated escape just a short walk from the city center, a reliable choice for waterfront luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful top-floor wellness area, with its swimming pool, saunas, and rooftop terrace, offers spectacular, panoramic views of the sea and the city.

8. Hilton Helsinki Strand: A Classic Waterfront Landmark

The Place: A classic and elegant hotel with a prime waterfront location, offering beautiful and serene views over the Hakaniemi waterfront on the Baltic Sea. The Hilton Helsinki Strand is celebrated for its magnificent, light-filled central atrium, its classic design featuring Finnish marble, and its stunning top-floor swimming pool. It provides a serene and sophisticated escape just a short walk from the city center, a reliable choice for waterfront luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The beautiful top-floor wellness area is a true highlight. It features a swimming pool, saunas, and a rooftop terrace that offers spectacular, panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding city, providing a perfect urban retreat.

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9. Hotel U14, Autograph Collection

The Place: A vibrant and stylish boutique hotel located in the heart of the city’s trendy Design District. Hotel U14 is celebrated for its contemporary, colorful interiors and its focus on providing a warm, welcoming, and locally inspired experience. It offers a fresh and modern atmosphere that sets it apart from more traditional luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s lively and popular restaurant and bar, with its focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, has become a true neighborhood hotspot.

9. Hotel U14, Autograph Collection: A Vibrant Boutique Experience

The Place: A vibrant and stylish boutique hotel with an excellent location in the heart of the city’s trendy Design District, just a stone’s throw from the Esplanadi park and the Market Square. Hotel U14 is celebrated for its contemporary, colorful, and playful interiors and its focus on providing a warm, welcoming, and locally inspired experience. It offers a fresh and modern atmosphere that sets it apart from more traditional luxury hotels in Helsinki.

My Top Pick: The hotel’s lively and popular restaurant and bar, Version, with its focus on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients and its beautiful design, has become a true neighborhood hotspot, attracting a stylish local crowd as well as hotel guests.

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10. VALO Hotel & Work Helsinki

The Place: A unique and innovative hybrid concept that masterfully combines a modern hotel with a flexible workspace. Located just outside the city center, VALO is celebrated for its stunning rooftop wellness area. It offers a smart and sustainable experience, a very modern and unique take on what luxury hotels in Helsinki can offer the modern traveler.

My Top Pick: The magnificent Wellness Area on the top floor, with its log saunas and a stunning rooftop pool, offers incredible panoramic views of the city.

10. VALO Hotel & Work Helsinki: A Hybrid of Innovation and Wellness

The Place: A unique and innovative hybrid concept that masterfully combines a modern, high-end hotel with a flexible and contemporary workspace. Located just a short commute from the city center, VALO is celebrated for its stunning rooftop wellness area and its smart, sustainable design. It offers a unique and forward-thinking experience, a very modern take on what luxury hotels in Helsinki can offer the modern traveler.

My Top Pick: The magnificent Wellness Area on the top floor is the hotel’s crown jewel. It features traditional Finnish log saunas and a stunning rooftop pool, both of which offer incredible, panoramic views of the surrounding city.

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Bonus: Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

A truly unique and unforgettable hotel housed in a former 19th-century county prison. Located on the peaceful Katajanokka island, the hotel has been beautifully converted, with rooms created from original cell blocks. It offers a one-of-a-kind, atmospheric experience that is rich in history and character, the most unique of all luxury hotels in Helsinki.

Bonus: Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel: A Prison Transformed

The Place: A truly unique and unforgettable hotel, the Hotel Katajanokka is housed in a former 19th-century county prison. Located on the peaceful and residential Katajanokka island, the hotel has been beautifully converted, with guest rooms created from original cell blocks (with triple-glazed windows!). It offers a one-of-a-kind, atmospheric experience that is rich in history and character, the most unique of all luxury hotels in Helsinki.

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Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?

Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Helsinki for your trip:

For iconic, historic grandeur: Hotel Kämp is the undisputed grand dame of Helsinki, offering a timeless and classic luxury experience.

For a serene, wellness-focused stay: The new The Hotel Maria or the art-filled Hotel St. George are perfect for a rejuvenating escape.

For a unique, themed experience: Lapland Hotels Bulevardi offers a taste of the Arctic, while Hotel Katajanokka provides a stay in a former prison.

For chic, intimate design: The beautiful Hotel Lilla Roberts in the Design District is a true hidden gem for lovers of style.

Expert’s Opinion: One to Choose?

Here’s our recommendation to help you choose the perfect luxury hotel in Helsinki for your trip:

For iconic, historic grandeur: Hotel Kämp is the undisputed grand dame of Helsinki, offering a timeless and classic luxury experience on the Esplanadi.

For a serene, wellness-focused stay: The new and exclusive The Hotel Maria or the art-filled and sophisticated Hotel St. George are perfect choices for a rejuvenating escape.

For a unique, themed experience: Lapland Hotels Bulevardi offers a taste of the Arctic with in-room saunas, while Hotel Katajanokka provides a memorable stay in a former prison.

For chic, intimate design: The beautiful Hotel Lilla Roberts in the heart of the Design District is a true hidden gem for lovers of timeless and elegant style.

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Travel Guides: Helsinki, Finland

A stay at a luxury hotel is just the beginning of your Helsinki adventure. To make the most of your trip, here is a travel guide that complements the article on luxury hotels in Helsinki.

1. Best Time to Visit Helsinki

Summer (June-August): This is the absolute best time to visit, with very long, sunny days (the famous ‘White Nights’), mild weather, and a vibrant outdoor culture of island hopping and seaside terraces.

Spring (April-May): A beautiful time when the city awakens from its long winter, with the ice melting, the light returning, and a celebratory atmosphere, especially for the Vappu festival on May 1st.

Autumn (September-October): The weather is crisp and cool, with beautiful autumn foliage (‘ruska’) in the city’s many parks and surrounding nature, offering a beautiful and cozy time to visit.

Winter (December-March): The city is cold, dark, and often snowy, but it is incredibly magical with its beautiful Christmas markets, the opportunity to walk on the frozen sea, and the quintessential Finnish sauna experience.

1. When to Go?

Summer (June-August): The best time to visit, with very long, sunny days, mild weather, and a vibrant outdoor culture with island hopping and seaside terraces.

Spring (April-May): The city awakens from winter, with melting ice, returning light, and a celebratory atmosphere, especially for Vappu on May 1st.

Autumn (September-October): The weather is crisp and cool, with beautiful autumn foliage (‘ruska’) in the parks and surrounding nature.

Winter (December-March): Cold, dark, and snowy, but magical with its Christmas markets, frozen sea, and the opportunity to experience a true Finnish sauna.

2. Getting Around Helsinki

Public Transport (HSL): Helsinki has a world-class, efficient, and well-integrated public transport system of trams, buses, metro, and public ferries that covers the entire metropolitan area.

Walking and Cycling: The city center is very compact and easily walkable. Cycling is also very popular and safe, with an extensive network of dedicated bike paths.

Ferries: Public ferries are an essential and scenic part of the transport network, perfect for exploring the city’s beautiful and diverse archipelago, including the historic Suomenlinna sea fortress.

2. Getting Around Helsinki

Public Transport (HSL): Helsinki has a world-class, efficient, and integrated public transport system of trams, buses, metro, and public ferries.

Walking and Cycling: The city center is very compact and easily walkable. Cycling is also very popular, with an extensive network of bike paths.

Ferries: Public ferries are essential for exploring the city’s beautiful archipelago, including the historic Suomenlinna sea fortress.

3. Must-See Sights in Helsinki

Suomenlinna: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this magnificent 18th-century sea fortress is spread across several interconnected islands and is a must-visit for its history and beautiful nature.

Helsinki Cathedral: The magnificent, brilliant white neoclassical cathedral that dominates Senate Square and the city’s skyline. It is the most iconic symbol of Helsinki.

Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church): A unique and spectacular modern church built directly into solid rock, with a magnificent copper dome. It’s an architectural masterpiece.

Design District: Explore this creative and vibrant neighborhood, which is packed with over 200 design and antique shops, fashion boutiques, museums, art galleries, and restaurants.

3. Must-See Sights

Suomenlinna: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this 18th-century sea fortress is spread across several islands and is a must-visit.

Helsinki Cathedral: The magnificent, white neoclassical cathedral that dominates Senate Square and the city’s skyline.

Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church): A unique and spectacular modern church built directly into solid rock.

Design District: Explore this creative neighborhood, which is packed with design and antique shops, fashion boutiques, museums, and galleries.

4. Unique Experiences in Helsinki

Experience a Finnish Sauna: You cannot visit Finland without experiencing a traditional sauna. There are many excellent public saunas, including the modern design-led Löyly and the historic, traditional Kotiharjun Sauna.

Explore the Archipelago: Take a public ferry or a guided boat tour to explore the beautiful and serene islands of the Helsinki archipelago, perfect for a picnic or a walk.

Oodi Central Library: Visit this stunning, award-winning architectural masterpiece opposite the Parliament House. It is a true modern community hub with much more than just books to discover.

Market Square (Kauppatori): In the summer, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Market Square by the South Harbour. Try some traditional Finnish street food like salmon soup or fried vendace (‘muikku’).

4. Unique Experiences

Experience a Finnish Sauna: You cannot visit Finland without experiencing a traditional sauna. There are many public saunas, including the modern Löyly and the historic Kotiharjun Sauna.

Explore the Archipelago: Take a ferry or a boat tour to explore the beautiful and serene islands of the Helsinki archipelago.

Oodi Central Library: Visit this stunning, award-winning architectural masterpiece, a true modern community hub with much more than just books.

Market Square (Kauppatori): In the summer, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the Market Square by the South Harbour, and try some traditional Finnish street food.

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