We had a good stay at Hotel Arthur. The location was pretty convenient for us - it was a 5 minute walk from Helsinki's Central Station for platforms going to/from the airport, tram service was nearby and it was within a 15-20 minute walk of everything we wanted to see in Helsinki. We booked this hotel because it was inexpensive for our stay and it was pretty pleasant.The breakfast was included with our stay and was welcome as well.We booked a twin room with two twin beds. The beds were comfy and we found extra pillows in the closet. We had a really good sleep each night at the hotel because it was very quiet. The room had a couple of chairs including a pretty big cushioned one, a desk and a TV that was mounted high. The room could be a little better with the cleaning of the tv remote and kettle but the beds and bathroom were fine. The hotel is over 100 years old and we felt the hotel showed its age the most in the room because there are some renovations that have been done over the years and it is pretty evident . Our room only had plug-ins at the desk and there was none near the night stand by the beds. The closets were in need of some maintenance because the door tracks were a bit stiff, the floor was peeling and the drywall in the back was loose. The shower used to have sliding doors as evident by the track that wasn't removed but the shower had a curtain that was too short and the floor squeegee was there for a reason because the water went everywhere when I showered. Shower pressure was fine and it was easy to get plenty of hot water. You may want to consider bringing your own bath products because the shower gel was meant for hand soap, body wash and shampoo.The hotel has saunas that you can book upon request. If you book your hotel reservation directly through the hotel you can get a discounted rate of 8 euros per person for the sauna but if you book through another website it is 10 euros per person. There is a nicer sauna that is shown in the pictures of the hotel but it fills up pretty quickly. We got the other sauna and it was ok but was in need of some cleaning because previous guests left their wet towels all over the place instead of in the towel bin located under a bench. We felt it was silly to charge a different rate if you booked through another platform because we wouldn't have heard of this hotel if we didn't use the platform we used!The breakfast was pretty standard and I had a nice English breakfast each day from the buffet. The mushrooms, sausage and hash browns were my favourite but I grew to enjoy the scrambled eggs during my stay because they add something to it that I'm not used to. They also had yoghurt, cereals, cold cut meats, fruit and cheese amongst other standard breakfast staples. They had a juice dispenser, a small selection of tea and black coffee. They also had items that you could pay for at the bar like a cappuccino or chocolate chip muffin.The reception area was pretty good. They had luggage storage and quite a few chairs to sit in. My wife liked their small souvenir shop and got some cute post cards. The staff are very helpful and can provide recommendations for the city. The reception also provide tea and sugar for your room and you can pick up your rations daily. They do not provide regular cleaning for the rooms but you can arrange cleaning or new towels through reception.There are plenty of sights to see nearby as well as cafes, restaurants and shopping malls. The tram is a short walk away and that was very convenient for us as we did a day trip to Tallinn using the ferries to go across the sea.We booked this hotel because it was affordable in a pretty expensive city and we would still recommend it if the pieces are fair. It was a good place to sleep and unwind after each day we spent...
Read moreIf you're looking for a bare-essentials, quiet and relatively affordable hotel at the very center of Helsinki, Hotel Arthur is your place.
Upon arrival the Hotel Arthur may look a even bit dodgy and the standard rooms are small and offer only the bare essentials. However, if you intend to spend only your nights at the hotel, Hotel Arthur offers a quiet and comfortable stay. For breakfast or lunch, I'd recommend that you go and look for a nice restaurant in the neighbourhood. Within a walking distance there's everything from McDonalds and ethnic diners to high-end cuisine.
Hotel Arthur is ideally located for an urban holiday or a business trip. The main railway station (a major hub for both commuter trains in the greater Helsinki-region, long-distance intercity trains and international trains to Russia), metro station, bus station and tramlines can be found in the immediate neighbourhood of the hotel. Just buy an affordable "HSL Day Ticket" (1-7 days) at the railway station and you can use all forms of public transportation within the greater Helsinki-region (Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo). In fair weather it's also very enjoyable to simply walk to the southern or western harbors of Helsinki (1.5 km and 3.5 km, respectively) and make a quick daytrip to Estonia and back.
For those arriving/departing by air, there's a bus connection from/to the airport near the main railway station (within 300 m of the hotel). Note that these bus lines to the airport are local buses that service the Helsinki-region in general with the airport as only the final destination. Therefore you should reserve at least about 45 min for the bus trip.
Many of the important sights in Helsinki are also very close to Hotel Arthur. The Finnish Parliament, Ateneum Art Museum, Helsinki Cathedral, National Museum and National Archives are within a walking distance. If you're interested in tax-free shopping, there are plenty of opportunities in the neighbourhood. Many pubs and nightclubs are also close by if you're interested in the...
Read moreI recently had a reservation at Arthur hotel, and unfortunately my flights were canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. I reached out to the hotel to modify my booking or request a credit for future use, but my experience left much to be desired. Lack of Flexibility: Despite the flight cancellation being beyond my control, the hotel was inflexible in accommodating my situation. I expected some understanding, especially during these challenging times when travel plans can change abruptly. Unresponsive Communication: I contacted the hotel via phone and email, explaining my predicament. However, the responses were slow, and it felt like my requests were falling on deaf ears. Clear communication channels are crucial during such situations. No Refund or Credit: Unfortunately, the hotel did not honor my request for a refund or credit. I understand that some reservations are nonrefundable, but given the exceptional circumstances, I hoped for more flexibility. Booking Through Third-Party Sites: If you book through third-party sites, like I did, the process can be even more complicated. The hotel’s policies may differ from those of the booking platform, making it challenging to navigate cancellations and modifications. Politeness Matters: While I remained polite and understanding, I expected the same courtesy from the hotel staff. Good customer service goes a long way, especially when travelers are facing unexpected disruptions. In summary, my experience at [Hotel Name] was disappointing. I hope they reconsider their policies and show more empathy toward travelers dealing with flight cancellations. As a guest, I felt unheard...
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