Have been staying at this property since it opened. The hotel is just now gaining some "soul", but it could be improved.

Agree with other review comments:

- Executive Room is a better choice accommodation,
- FinnAir bus departs and arrives in plaza across from hotel,
- Central location to train station and metro is important for travelers,
- Not stupendous but very good property within Holiday Inn hotel chain,
- Amazingly quiet rooms, considering is sitting above regional and long distance train tracks,
- Close to shopping at Sokos and Stockmann, as well as Forum and Kamppi centers,
- Kitchen is nothing to reroute your travel plans for.

I have found the hotel staff unusually friendly and helpful. However, sometimes the restaurant and bar staff are less than hospitable. The bar tends to have hours that seem to want to prevent a guy from having an evening beverage.

There is a lack of a sun-facing patio, which is important for spring/summer guests. But there is the sports bar with "terrasi" aroudn the corner and train station plaza has a couple of bar terraces setup in the warmer months.

For me, the sauna is also an important feature of a Helsinki hotel. I have had problems with the hotel staff on upkeep of the mens' sauna. Some idiot got the hotel to paint over the window in the sauna! The sand timer and thermometer in the sauna cabinet are broken. The sauna controller seems to shut off the sauna stove earlier than 22.00 scheduled end of evening sauna. There are never enough towels in the sauna because too many "foreigners" use them in sauna to sit on rather than provided stack of paper sauna towels. HOPE THE HOTEL STAFF READS THESE REVIEWS!

Stayed at the Holiday Inn city centre recently, and must say, it's nothing disastrous or outstanding.
It's a pretty standard Holiday inn, with comfy rooms, and a decent sleep, despite being right in the centre of the city and next to the train station.

Check in service was pretty slow as they didn't seem to have enough staff working, but this could be just a one off experience.
The breakfast was nothing special either, with very rubbery scrambled eggs and overly greasy bacon. but there's a few different dishes to pick from, so most should be able to find something ok to eat.
There was a very small fitness centre in the basement with one of each of a few different machines.

All in all, an ok hotel, I would be happy to stay again (assuming my more favoured Scandic Simonketta is sold out again).

I booked this Holiday Inn hotel because of its central location as seen on the website. I was advised by the hotel staff to take the Finnair bus from the airport, which proved to be an excellent suggestion. It only costs 6.20 Euros and the last stop is the central railway station which is a stone's throw from the hotel. The hotel despite its dark exterior, has a very pleasing interior and friendly staff, who seem to be very well-trained to provide great service. Due to my priority club status, I was given an upgrade to a very nice room, as well as free internet and a drink at the bar. Breakfast buffet was very good and free. The staff were very helpful in all respects.

As areas of improvement, the gym is in the basement and my suggestion is to expand it if there is space. Also, when I asked about vegetarian restaurants in the area, the ladies at the reception had no idea. Although they tried hard to find, it was clear that this was an unusual request. As a global hotel chain member, they should be better prepared for such requests.

Otherwise, I give this hotel an 'A' rating.

This hotel is pretty typical Holiday Inn (good and average in most things). It's reasonably priced and few things in Finland are. This is an expensive town. But, the reason I always stay at the Holiday Inn are many. The hotel is located at the end of the train and bus terminal. That means that you can, for only 6 and a bit Euro, get a bus from the airport (Finnair Bus) directly to the hotel and back again. If you need to take a train - you're right there. The hotel is very centrally located to the harbour, shopping and good restaurants. They have 'good' rooms with free internet and a 24 hour fitness room. The breakfast is also very good. It's great!