Cultural Centre and Conference Hotel Sofia — Hotel in Helsinki sub-region

I had a business meeting here that lasted for about a week. It is located at the outskirts of Helsinki, about two and a half kilometers from the Vuosaari Nordsjo subway station so getting a taxi to get there is advisable (about 12 Euros) although one can get into a bus close to the subway station that stops right at its door. The place is situated near a lake and surrounded by a beautiful natural landscape, which allows for some relaxing walks after intense business meetings. The rooms were cleaned not on a daily basis but on a two day basis, which can be upsetting to some people, but it was fine with me. Although the room walls are thick as paper (one can hear others walk in close-by rooms in the morning), they are also comfortable and I slept as a baby every single night. The hotel offers a really nice sauna and swimming pool for relaxation as well. The meeting rooms were more than adequate for the business meetings, well provided with plugs and ICT equipment. However, the best were the meals. The food was always creative and diverse (I rarely ate the same thing) and the quality of the cooking and of the food would put to shame quite a lot of 4 star hotels in Europe and in the United States. The flavor, quality and freshness of the meat and fish dishes were among the top that I have ever ate. I believe there seldom one of my colleagues or I did not repeat the main course more than two or three times. Finally, the staff was friendly Finnish style, which means that they are helpful and often crack a joke to make you feel at home although always in rather serious tones and with serious facial expressions. Overall, I highly recommend the place for informal business meetings away from the buzz of the city or the stress...

We booked this hotel because we were unable to find accommodation in the centre of Helsinki. The word "hotel" suggests more than it is, which seems to be some sort of institution/ conference centre which is trying to be a hotel. It is a long way from Helsinki which makes it more expensive to reach from the airport ( no airport bus or train). We tried to phone at 18.30 to check they were expecting us, only to find the line on answer phone. On arrival, despite a notice saying the reception was open till 22.00, it was closed. We had to telephone a night number on the door to be given the code to a key box to obtain our room key. The room was spartan and tired with peeling paint on windows. Next morning arriving back at the reception for breakfast we were informed that the kitchen was closed!!! We were shown a cabinet with two pizza slices, some tough and dry bread items and some slices of unappetising cake. Quickly the reception area became heavy with the smell of incense from an Orthodox meeting upstairs. A definite Faulty Towers experience. ||||The only positive point is the totally isolated location near to a lake. But there is no public transport to the centre of Helsinki which took us over an hour to reach by bicycle, which is a great ride taking the...

Reason: The cheapest hotel close to Helsinki and possibility to get to it in short time.||||Location: In the wood, close to the coast. Beautiful surrounding what is welcoming to walk around.||||Room: We had a calm and very very simple room in sector C. I think it is very difficult to stay at such room for long time.||The bathroom was small and the shower wasn't separated with something. So when you are taking a shower all bathroom become wet.||||Hotel has a sauna which was opened till 9.pm. But we arrived late and go inside sauna at 9.pm. So we were very happy to enjoy this sauna.||This Sauna was the best in our trip in Finland. Sauna was separate for man and women. Free WiFi was possible in the hotel and in the room.||The breakfast included hot and cold food. Quite a big choice. The breakfast room are very big and it possible to have breakfast a lot of people at the same time.||Free parking place.||||Conclusion: Very simple hotel, but sauna and surrounding make it better. If it possible to find something cheaper in Helsinki, you should try other hotel. Like budget...