Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4

I loved the wood architecture, and the rooftop was nice. The room had great lighting and a good-quality TV. The breakfast was incredible, and my heart melted when a staff lady poured me a coffee. There's beautiful architecture just a short walk away. The sauna is a little small, but clean and good.

The one drawback was the bathroom drain. After a shower, water ended up all over the floor, so my feet got wet when I went to use the toilet, even though it did dry quickly. The shower had great pressure, and the toiletries smelled nice. I arrived around 6 a.m. after a 14-hour flight, completely exhausted, and the welcoming staff were ready to help. Early check-in cost 50 euros and included a nice breakfast buffet. I liked the wood construction too, it felt like staying in a super-modern futuristic cabin. The room was spacious for one person and the bed was comfy. Close the curtains for privacy from the window. The next day happened to be my birthday. I hadn't said anything because I was there for business, but a female staff member noticed and brought me a cute jelly cake with a candle at breakfast. I was so happy to be celebrated when I wasn't expecting it. At checkout they also gave me a huge bar of chocolate. The staff really seemed eager to make guests feel happy and at home.

The front desk staff were really good, among the top 10% I've come across. My bed was quite good, and there are restaurants and a K-Market nearby. A taxi between the hotel and HEL (Vantaa) takes 20-25 minutes, and that's my recommended way to get there. During winter, the lowest temperature setting is 19°C, which seems odd to me since a lower setting would be ideal. After a day outside, the lobby always felt quite warm, perhaps that was the point. I was here for a short stopover, and the hotel was nice with what a traveller might need. My EE UK Plan roamed on Telia, with full 5G bars on the estate and very good network performance. The WiFi also seemed decent, though I barely used it.

The buffet breakfast was delicious, with something for everyone, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The design and finish throughout are lovely, and it's a stunning hotel. It's also a fantastic base for exploring Helsinki, about a five-minute walk from the market square and several transport links. Can't recommend it enough!