Hotel Helka — Hotel in Helsinki sub-region

I am so sorry to give evaluate my experience as "poor" but I have to be honest. I has been very excited about this hotel due to its uniqueness. I like the whole idea of the hotel, the design and their whole purpose and mindset. I also have to mention its great location in the city center, close to everything (max. 20-30 min walk). Not only the hotel design but also the breakfast is unique, many options for the gluten, lactose intolerants and vegans. As a negative comment about the breakfast, that some of their food doesn't taste as they should, they don't offer variations of eggs and the juice maschine was not working (it gave water only). And here it comes the bad part: we were literally freezing in our room. It was NOT possible to turn off the AC, we tried to increase the room temperature but after a time it stopped. The temperature in our room was not more than 18 degrees and the cold air was just coming, we didn't find any single spot in the room where we couldn't feel it. We also asked for help, but they couldn't help on us. It was not possible to turn off the AC or increase the temperature. It has given us such a bad experience, we couldn't normally sleep, we couldn't change our clothes, it was just a nightmare staying there. We tried to open the window for some warm air but the sun was not shining to our room. For next morning we both became ill, we couldn't prevent our face from the cold air. And unfortunately the hotel put more focus on the design than comfort. For example I didn't need nail polish or energy drink as a "gift" (for that we obviously paid), but rather slippers or bathing cap. The bathroom was very small, for tall people it was hard to move in it. Honestly, if I had stayed here in winter when the AC is turned off and the heating is turned on I would have given you four or maybe five stars but unfortunately this experience ruined everything. To mention some good parts: the staff is very nice, there is luggage store where we can leave our luggages before check in / after check out. They provide microwave, fridge etc. & the whole purpose of...

I greatly enjoyed my stay at Hotel Helka, from the time I checked in until I checked out.

Every single staff member I interacted with was kind, professional, and accommodating. I especially appreciate this because it was my first time outside the U.S., and the staff helped make my time in Helsinki much more comfortable and less intimidating than I anticipated.

My room was comfortable and clean upon arrival. I enjoyed the warm comforter on the bed, the in-room coffee and teas (which I took full advantage of lol), and the overall atmosphere of the room. I thought the picture fixated on the ceiling above the bed was super cool. I did find that it was a bit difficult to get the room warm, and the shower didn't stay hot for very long -- but those are my only qualms with the room itself.

The breakfast here is amazing! There's a large array of different foods served at breakfast, including several types of pastries, fruit, yogurt, and local cheese. I also liked that the dining area was cozy, efficient, and easy to locate near the lobby. Oh, and the coffee was good too. :)

I visited the hotel's bar a few times during my stay, and particularly enjoyed their red wines. There are also "small bite" foods available for purchase, which I found very convenient for the couple of days that it was rainy and I didn't feel like venturing back outside for dinner.

If you do stay at Hotel Helka for any length of time, I would also highly recommend booking a massage with Alar on the sixth floor. I was nervous for my own appointment, as it was my first massage ever -- but Alar ensured I knew what to expect and that I was comfortable. My upper back and shoulders feel so much better now! He also helped me practice my very limited Finnish, which was encouraging and helpful to me as someone who's learning the language.

I will definitely stay at Hotel Helka again the next time I visit Helsinki, and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the city.

Kiitos ja haluaisin...

My stay was good, however, one of your staff at the front desk was very rude. I don't remember her name, but it was a slightly old woman. I asked her that I would like to extend my stay for one night, and she checked and said you can do it, but you have not paid for your stay yet. I told her that your colleagues said I can pay during check out, so I will be paying cash during checkout. Anyway, so after she told me the price for extending the final night, I said I will think about it and come back to you in 15 minutes with my final decision. What she said next was shocking and inappropriate - she said you must pay right now before you go to your room! I didn't quite believe what she said so I asked her again. She said you must settle your bill right now before I let you go back to your room! I mean, is this how your staff behave? Who is she to allow or not allow me to go to my room and wait for 15 mins and then come back and make the payment? I did not want to tell her off at that point, but this is the most inappropriate behaviour I have seen by a hotel staff in a long time. And you aspire to be a customer friendly and non-discriminatory hotel? It's a joke. She then mumbled something in her mouth. I told her that I will ignore what she just mentioned to me, but she needs to go back and get trained or leave her job. I made the payment after 15 mins, as I had mentioned to your rude staff, but this was a most unpleasant experience and unacceptable behaviour...