Hotel Kamp

The rooms are finished to a very high standard, and the bar and restaurant area looked great too. Service was what you’d expect at a proper five-star hotel. Terrific place. We’ll be back next time we’re in Helsinki.

The newly renovated restaurant and bar are stunning, and the hotel itself is splendid. The rooms are large, cozy and newly refurbished, right in central Helsinki, an ideal base for a weekend in the city. But the service didn’t quite feel five-star. It wasn’t bad, but at the best hotel in town I expected more for the price. Nobody helped with our luggage on arrival or with taxis outside. Check-in took longer because the receptionist was booking a restaurant for another guest, which seemed like a job for a concierge. Nobody came to make up our room until we asked at 4pm. Breakfast also had many options at extra cost, seriously? I know I’m being picky, but given what we paid, I think that’s fair. Even with those shortcomings, it’s a must-go in Helsinki.

The rooms were beautiful and the location was great, but the service didn’t live up to what we expected from a highly rated five-star hotel. We stayed at hotel kamp for four nights in a suite at the end of our honeymoon. After a long travel day, we were met by a very rude attendant at check-in. Our card status was supposed to get us early check-in at 1pm, but we still waited two hours for the room. Service was mixed, with some very kind people and others who were harsh and brash. Housekeeping seemed badly understaffed, and the attendants were clearly working overtime. They smelled very bad, and the rooms were left smelling strongly of BO. We’d booked Christmas dinner in the mirror room months earlier, expecting a four-course meal. Instead, it was a buffet of some of the worst food I’ve ever had, and the bill was 400 euros. We were flabbergasted. During our time in Helsinki, we ate at wonderful places and visited small spots where people went out of their way to add little touches for our honeymoon. The hotel didn’t acknowledge it at all, which was extremely surprising. My husband and I also emailed and called several times before the trip to ask for help booking spa treatments at nearby spas, since the hotel spa was closed for three days over Christmas, but we never got a response. They’re too busy to keep up the service level you’d expect. If we return, we’ll book at the Waldorf.

The omelet is always spot-on, and the Karelian pies are the best I’ve found anywhere. The pancakes taste just like my grandma’s oven. Hands down, this is Finland’s best breakfast. The service is consistently warm and professional.