Hotels · Our pick in Helsinki
The grand hotels of Helsinki: the back story
The back story
About The grand hotels of Helsinki: the back story
Helsinki’s best hotels sit within a short walk of the Esplanadi and the South Harbour. Hotel Kämp is the grand hotel of the Esplanadi; Kämp Collection’s smaller houses, Haven, Lilla Roberts, F6, Fabian, Klaus K and Hobo, fill the blocks around it; Hotel St. George faces the Old Church Park; and the former Hotel Maria in Kruununhaka now flies the Waldorf Astoria flag.
The Esplanadi and Kaartinkaupunki
Hotel Kämp stands on Pohjoisesplanadi, looking down the park towards the harbour, with the Kämp Spa below. Around it, Kämp Collection’s boutique hotels each have their own character: Hotel Haven on Unioninkatu by the South Harbour, Hotel Lilla Roberts in the Design District, Hotel F6 with Bar Runar in its courtyard, Hotel Fabian across the street, and the younger Hobo on Kluuvikatu (the hotels’ own websites).
Kruununhaka and the Waldorf Astoria
Hotel Maria on Mariankatu reopened under Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria brand in August 2025, the brand’s first hotel in the Nordic countries. The quiet grid of Kruununhaka, the city’s oldest quarter, is a few minutes’ walk from Senate Square and the Market Square.
Almost everything here is walkable: choose by the street you want to wake up on.
Kamppi and the Boulevard
Hotel St. George on Yrjönkatu looks over the Old Church Park and has its own bakery, the Wintergarden bar and the Care spa and gym. Along Bulevardi are Klaus K, Hotel Indigo and Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, and the Torni, with the Ateljee Bar on its roof, is a block away.
By the sea
Scandic Grand Marina occupies a harbour warehouse on Katajanokka, near the Viking Line and Tallink terminals; Hotel AX is in the new seaside district of Jätkäsaari, by the West Harbour; and the Hilton Strand and Kalastajatorppa face the water further out.
Arriving
The I and P trains run from under the airport terminal to Helsinki Central in about 30 minutes, on an HSL ABC ticket (HSL; Finavia). Most central hotels are a short taxi ride or a walk from the station.
Our advice: for a first visit, stay between the Esplanadi and the South Harbour; book a Katajanokka or Jätkäsaari room if you are catching an early ferry to Tallinn.
Why it's on our list
- The Esplanadi and Kaartinkaupunki
- Kruununhaka and the Waldorf Astoria
- Kamppi and the Boulevard
- By the sea
- Arriving
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with The grand hotels of Helsinki: the back story before you go.
How far is it from the sights?
Distances from The grand hotels of Helsinki: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro and tram stops
- YlioppilastaloTram 1Tram 3Tram 4Tram 5Tram 6Tram 10Tram 1T200 m2 min walk
- AleksanterinkatuTram 2Tram 4Tram 5Tram 7200 m2 min walk
- ErottajaTram 1Tram 3Tram 6Tram 1T200 m3 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Pohjoisesplanadi150 m2 min walk
- Taxi rank, Bulevardi150 m2 min walk
Taxis can also be booked by app or phone.
Key sights
- Esplanadi Park150 mWalk 2 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Ateneum300 mWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Market Square500 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Helsinki Cathedral500 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Amos Rex600 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Oodi750 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Uspenski Cathedral850 mWalk 10 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Temppeliaukio Church1.2 kmWalk 15 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Löyly1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Helsinki Airport17 kmCar or taxi 51 min
Main railway stations
- Helsinki Central500 mWalk 6 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Pasila3.6 kmWalk 44 minCycle 14 minCar or taxi 14 min
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