Scandic Simonkenttä

The room was generally tidy, but when we checked under the bed before leaving, we found a half-eaten pastry and quite a bit of dust. It made the cleaning seem incomplete. We mentioned it in the survey the hotel sent after our stay. The reply only thanked us for the feedback, with no apology or explanation. That was disappointing for a fairly minor problem that good customer service could have handled easily.

We slept really well: the bed was big and comfortable, and the curtains kept the light out. We were a little concerned the busy location might be noisy, but it wasn’t an issue. Attractions and restaurants are an easy walk away, so the location worked well for visiting Helsinki. The hotel is attractive, and our bedroom and bathroom were both generously sized, with plenty of storage. Having a sauna in the room was a treat, and we used it a lot. We were surprised that such a small sauna could get as hot as the commercial ones you might use more often in the UK. We didn’t eat at the hotel, so I can’t comment on the food.

The room was spacious and clean, and reception was helpful when I had questions. The train station wasn’t far, there were lots of shops nearby, and most tourist spots were walkable. Really good location.

The hotel’s location is great, with indoor access by lifts to the shopping centre next door and Kamppi Metro station. The main train station is a short walk away, and trams run nearby often. We arrived around midnight and learned our rooms weren’t available because the hotel was overbooked due to system issues. The staff deserve credit for sorting out a night at Helsinki Grand Central, arranging taxis and breakfast, then making sure our rooms were ready from the next night onward without more problems.