This is a partial review of the Hilton Airport Hotel in Helsinki. An overnight with breakfast was included with a trip to the Arctic organised by Quark Expeditions.
Booking gave this hotel an 8.6 (Fabulous) based upon 8,991 reviews, and included a 9.3 for location.
The room
First impressions can be deceiving. I had to wait to check into the Quark trip, and the reception area of the hotel is quite vast, and I saw virtually no one in the hour I sat there.
When I walked into the room, my immediate impression was “another typical airport hotel” and “just look at those windows and the view over the parking”. But if you look carefully you can see that the room delivers.
There is a bit of Finnish minimalism there, and a bit of that light wood furniture, etc. but it was perfect for an overnight. Easy to open my suitcase on the side table, easy to setup the computer, charger, good desk lamp, good wall safe, etc.
I took a still water from the minibar. It cost €5 which might be a decent price for Finland.
Cool device, on the wall there is a connection for a centralised vacuum cleaner.
Bathroom
The shower was a big walk-in (the photo is a bit confusing because it mixes in a double refection in two mirrors). Still I had a really good shower, which is key in today’s world. Towels were good quality.
Breakfast
Given that I saw virtually no one, except a few people checking in for the Quark trip, I was surprised to find the breakfast area quite vast, and well occupied.
It is one of those places where the selection is almost endless, but spread out over what felt like 50 metres of kitchen tops. The kind of place you know it must be there, but can’t find it. And finally when you sit down, you’re exhausted, and you know you only saw half of whats on display.
It’s so irritating because I always end up eating/drinking the same thing, e.g. orange juice, fruit salad, musli & yogurt, and lots of coffee. This time I did taste Riisipiipakka, Munavoi, and Poropyörykka. These turned out to a kind rice thing, an “egg butter” (hardboiled egg cut with butter and a bit of salt), and the very Scandinavian meatball, but this time made with reindeer. The Munavoi was the best, and worth seconds. But I didn’t, I just washed it all down with lots of coffee.
They actually just gave everyone a pot of coffee, and a little jug of milk. Not surprising that Finland is one of the world’s biggest consumers of coffee.
Conclusion
Would I go back? Would I recommend? If I needed to stay at Helsinki airport, then yes!
