Clarion Hotel Aviapolis

Yana at reception was so cheerful, kind, and helpful, taking the time to answer every question. She really made the stay better and deserves a raise. The hotel sits right above the train station, and it's clean and modern, with a free sauna and fitness area. My room was more modern than I expected. I'd recommend staying here without hesitation.

We came in late, around 11pm after arriving in Helsinki, and had only booked two days before the trip. Check-in was easy, and the room was clean and worked well for our family with two kids. Breakfast was really nice, with lots to choose from, and I think there was a fridge with some gluten-free options. On Sunday it ran until 10:30, so we could sleep in after breakfast. Check-out at noon meant no rush to leave.

The family room was spacious, laid out well, and comfortable, and the bathroom was spotless. I also appreciated the range of towel sizes, including ones suitable for children. The hotel was clean and well kept, and the room itself felt like four-star quality. The breakfast didn't work as well for me. It may fit Finnish tastes, but compared with other international four- and five-star hotels I've stayed in, there wasn't much variety: a few breads, one jam, three cheeses, mostly fruit, milk and yogurt, plus a limited hot selection. I didn't enjoy it, and I'll post photos of the breakfast area on Google. Parking was another disappointment. It's about 20 euros a day, which didn't feel reasonable after paying 190 euros for one night. Maybe that's normal in Finland, but in my experience across several continents, parking is usually included at four- and five-star places. It didn't feel premium. At check-in, the receptionist wasn't welcoming or friendly, and that first impression stayed with us. The next morning a male staff member was polite and professional, but the initial encounter had already affected how the stay felt. I don't mean this only as criticism. I run a restaurant and business in Finland myself, so I understand hospitality can be challenging. I wanted to give management constructive feedback, especially on the parking policy and front desk welcome. Overall, the hotel quality met a four-star standard, but those issues lowered our satisfaction.

We found a room at a very good price on the day we needed it, after our hire car broke down and we missed the Rovaniemi to Manchester flight. We flew on to Helsinki and needed somewhere before the next morning's flight back to Manchester. The hotel was easy to find on Google Maps and about a 25-minute walk from the airport. The receptionist was lovely and accommodating, and our clean seventh-floor room had a great view over the area. A really good layover stay.