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Helka is a unique private hotel in the heart of Helsinki, built in an old 1920s building. Our stylish interior is decorated with carefully chosen Finnish design classics such as Alvar Aalto and Artek, to name a few. We have 151 rooms on five floors where design and functionality are well combined. Helka is close to almost everything Helsinki has to offer: main attractions, city buzz, culture, parks and calming waterside nature. For us, it’s all about you. We are passionate about customer service and making you happy is always our first priority – wherever you come from, Helka makes you feel at home. Helka is a discrimination-free zone. Helka strives for good also on a larger scale. Our owner YWCA is continuously addressing profits from hotel operations to girls and women of all ages around the world. So, you also can do good by being our guest in Hotel Helka.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Quaint
Languages Spoken
English, Finnish, Swedish
Location
Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23, Helsinki 00100 Finland
Name/address in local language
Hotel Helka
4.3 reviews
Getting there
Great for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Hotel near the metro stop and the Kampii shopping center reachable from the airport by train in about 50 minutes or by bus (with longer travel time). At the reception we found both the owner and a girl very available for the information we requested. The room wasn't very big and neither was the bathroom, but it was clean and fairly new. We made use of the free sauna divided between men and women with changing room and internal shower. The hotel's wi-fi works very well in all areas and the highlight is the breakfast... it's phenomenal!! very rich in savory and sweet foods with fruit of all kinds, really delicious. Not being able to take advantage of breakfast the next day because we were leaving early, the reception, in addition to calling us a taxi to the airport, made us find a bag with take away breakfast, a very kind and well appreciated gesture.
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:consiglio di fare la sauna, molto rilassante
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Central hotel and within easy walking distance from Central Station. Check-in and Check-out carried out very quickly with the staff always courteous. The single room is large and well furnished in a functional way. Large wardrobe where you can store your clothes. The bathroom is a good size with a very large shower. Good products offered. The room is quite quiet. Excellent breakfast with a wide choice including local products. It is definitely the first choice for when I return to Helsinki.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very nice hotel located in downtown Helsinki within walking distance of the railway station and close to the underground (if your luggage is too heavy for the walk) which makes it a recommendable location if you plan to wander around the city. The interiors are modern and pleasant, well designed although I found my single room a little on the smallish side. But I don't think that anybody comes to Helsinki to spend the time in a hotel room. Breakfast is very varied with lots of local produce to choose from so when you plan your departure allow yourself some time in the morning to sample everything that is offered there. An exhibition of contemporary paintings/art in several rooms was an added value to my stay.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:I enjoyed a room at the back of the building - not much of a view but very quiet, exactly as I...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotelli Helka, Other at Hotel Helka
Responded 26 Jan 2022
Thank you for your review :). Great to hear you got to experience a lot of different sides of Helka. In case you want to have a greater experience from a single room I recommend to try out our Loft Single which has a beautiful balcony towards the city view on the 6th floor of the hotel! Be sure to try it out next time. Have a nice day :)
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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 mindset about supporting women.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Bring your own slippers, you can heat up your food in their microwave if you are on low budget.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have stayed in Helka for about 10 nights in total, recently more often as our Helsinki office is literally around the corner. But the three stays in September-October 2022 made me choose another hotel for my 4th stay. I enjoy the atmosphere of the hotel, the personnel is super nice, there are some nice design elements. But that is not enough to make up for the rooms that are often not quiet and not comfortable. On my 1st stay I had to go down to the reception to ask for earplugs because the street facing 2nd floor room had constant traffic noise late at night. The last stay I had a room where it was not possible to turn down or switch off the ventilation/air conditioning and there was really loud noise. Luckily I was able to change the room. Actually the staff always helps out but I do not want to complain all the time, neither do I want to feel that I am always drawing the worst room in the room lottery. Often I get a room where the headside of the bed is not against the wall. The headboard is super low, so there is nowhere to lean when reading in the bed. I am posting my recent experience (this is actually the room that was changed, but beware of this room anyhow) - the TV is on the side of the bed and the head side of the bed is towards the window. I think less emphasis on design and more emphasis on basic usability would do the hotel a lot of good.
The breakfast selection is fairly limited, especially for gluten free eaters. I can usually put together a decent breakfast in every hotel avoiding bread, pastries and like. But at Helka the bacon is always burnt so dark that its not edible (to my taste at least) and besides porridge there is not much left.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Check your room before setting down and ask for a change if it is uncomfortable
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotelli Helka, Other at Hotel Helka
Responded 15 Nov 2022
Hello and thank you for the review. We are terribly sorry for the noise on the streets. We can always book a room on our backyard for light sleepers and are more than happy to change the room in case customer feels like city noises are bit too much at the moment. We are terribly sorry for multiple issues you have faced :(. We will definitely try to check out the ventilation issues in the room you have stayed. We recommend to customers in all cases to contact the staff because it is not considered complaining, in case the customer has an issue they want to rresolve. Thank you for the review. We will try to improve on these issues based on the review.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My stay at this hotel was pleasant. All the regular things worked well, comfy bed, everything was clean and problems were dealt with kindly, swiftly and efficiently. For some reason there was no mention of wi fi at check-in, or anywhere in the room that I could find, but because I had my own, I didn't call reception.
What I especially appreciated, and rarely find outside of five star accommodation, was the level of the attention to detail. The room had small lights everywhere, including a "ceiling-photograph" of a forest view. In the tiny bathroom, there was a place for make up, and the toothbrush mug had a plate underneath, that fit the toothpaste and other accessories. There was a beautiful water glass in the room, ample closet space and a tea kit.
The room was a functional and beautiful one person refuge in a busy city.
The breakfast was exceptionally good, as reported in many of the feedbacks. The cappuccino was very good, and included in the breakfast. Many of the less expensive and more expensive hotels in the area have atrocious to bad coffee, with "special coffee" at an additional cost, so if you like your espresso, choosing this hotel saves you a buck with Helsinki prices for lattes, espressos and cappuccinos.
The elevator that was in function was tiny and scary, so that may be good to know.
Everywhere you look, it is stated that this hotel is a discrimination-free zone, and my experience was that this is implemented everywhere you go in the hotel. Service was mostly friendly and at best very warm.
I would recommend this hotel for anyone who loves their breakfast, coffee, comfort, functionality and enjoys a scandinavian style interior design. Not a luxury hotel, but one that focuses on the essentials of travel.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2020
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotelli Helka, Muu at Hotel Helka
Responded 16 Aug 2020
Dear Marie, Thank you so much for your detailed review. We are so glad to hear back from you. Nothing feels better than a great review from a regular customer. As you said our hotel is decorated with Finnish design at its center. Each of our room is slightly different and unique with their own special characteristics. I really recommend to test out our completely new room type Loft -rooms. They also have our very own artist Marita Kouhia's paintings inside the rooms. You can also see Marita's works in the hotel lobby. About the WiFi we are sorry for the confusion on the information part. We have an open WiFi under the name Helka_open and a password protected one as well. Usually at the check-in counter we give password for the WiFi for the customer, however since our password protected wifi system is quite new our staff member at the reception must have forgot to mention it. Thank you so much for pointing this out. We will try to adapt to this change better in the future! And sorry for the elevator situation. During your stay there was a problem with our larger and bright main elevator which was fixed few weeks ago. Unfortunately we had a problem which required professional support to fix and luckily our normal elevator is back in business so our guests can use it normally. Thank you for staying with us and have a lovely autumn :) see you on your next visit in Helka! Warm regards, - Johannes / Reception, Helka
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We stayed six nights in this beautiful hotel and, starting from the welcome received at check in, I can only express favorable opinions. Our room "the garden of Eden" was beautifully painted, bright and with a huge shower! Fabulous breakfast, with options to suit all tastes and diets. The location is excellent for reaching all the strategic points of the city on foot and, in any case, very close to the metro. Thanks, highly recommended!
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Date of stay: August 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much to everyone at Hotel Helka, especially Anastasia and the management, plus everyone at the front desk and the breakfast buffet people! There was a slight change to our room situation since we were visiting during hot and humid weather in Helsinki, and Anastasia presented an incredibly generous offer that completely makes me believe there are genuinely good people in our world. I've told everyone I know in Germany (where I live) to come and stay here just based on that kindness! I will also tell friends at home in the United States. There were also fun and friendly vibes all around in this hotel. Lots of insightful art, the sauna, and an atmosphere of welcoming everyone. My young kid who accompanied me on this trip named his stuffed animal Helka just because he enjoyed being there. And just like everyone said, the location is super practical: very accessible to a shopping mall, different art museums and Temppeliaukio church. And breakfast is NOT to be skipped. We will come back soon! Kiitos Hotel Helka!!!!
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Date of stay: June 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Ask for street-facing rooms. They were actually quiet!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here for one night with my girlfriend in the beginning of September for one night. I had heard a lot of good stuff about this hitel before but never stayed in it. First of all, I was really surprised of the warm welcome we received in the lobby as I had to use the toilet the lady at the reception did not ask whetever I'm a guest or not of the hotel but directed me straight to the toilet. It gave me the feeling of being welcomed to the building any time as a guest or as a walk in customer. The check in kiosks worked perfectly without any lagging and the check in was smooth. This hotel has a lot of unique small details of Finnish design throughout and every room class has a different interior design filled up with Finnish design items from different eras. The sauna department on the upmost floor offered great couzy atmosphere and the beds in the rooms were one of the best I've ever slept in. The location is brilliant for shopping,sightseeing and for activities. The breakfast was full of local distributed and ecolabelled products and Finnish designed tableware. The biggest takeaway from our stay was most definately the warm welcomed feeling we received from the staff throughout our stay! The lady at the reception even told us a good night sleep well when I asked her about the sauna opening times. If you're a fan of boutique hotels and Finnish design this is something you have to add on your bucket list!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotelli Helka, Muu at Hotel Helka
Responded 3 Oct 2020
Hello Tonttu, and thank you so much for your awesome review. I have forwarded your kind words to our reception staff during your visit! We are so glad that your trip went well and you felt welcomed by the staff :). Good to hear that the self check-in worked out for you. Hope to see you again on your next visit to Helsinki :). Have a great week and welcome back on your next trip to Helka :) Warm regards, Johannes / Reception, Helka
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This is a lovely hotel. Not your run of the mill offer and plenty of nice little touches to bring a smile to your face. Good location, not so far away from anywhere you’re likely to go and we pretty much walked everywhere. All the staff were super friendly, helpful and efficient. We had a 5th floor street-facing room which we found to be very comfortable and had no trouble sleeping – even with a window open (hurrah!) and a Eurovision Song Contest evening in the bar downstairs. Breakfast was superb; a great selection of local fare without being over the top, which we very much enjoyed over our 4-day stay. The sauna was a lovely bonus. My only regret was not buying one of their mugs from our room which was inscribed “#stolenfromhotelhelka” . . . .
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Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Hotelli Helka, Other at Hotel Helka
Responded 24 Jun 2022
Thank you so much for the lovely review!
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London, United Kingdom167 contributions97 helpful votes
When you check in at hotel, usually they give you a registration form. At the Helka, you can take the form away and fill it in at your leisure, as long as you give it back to reception before you check out.
Yes. There are scrambled eggs.
I got to the hotel via the direct train from the airport to the Central station. This is really a great option. The Central station is only about a 10 minute walk from the Helka. I’d definitely suggest the train vs taking a bus.
Hello,
We always recommend using the train. Train takes you from the airport straight to the city center in 30 minutes. From the central station you will reach Helka after a 10 minute walk.
we are located on the edge of the city center, in the quiet part of an area called Kamppi. Everything is very easy to reach from Helka.
See you soon! Oona H. / Service Manager
There are more places to choose from in the Helsinki area.
PRICE RANGE
₹8,994 - ₹13,277 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
helka hotel helsinki
LOCATION
FinlandUusimaaHelsinkiKampinmalmi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
155
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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