Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki

Location is fantastic, nice and quiet, amazing views, cosy atmosphere, safe and above all else, the staff!! They are incredible, I cannot thank each and everyone enough. I contacted the hotel a bit before my stay to ensure what I was booking had the view I like, with a balcony room. Whilst understanding it’s based on availability, I was looked after and taken care of. Staff make or break a business, and the staff definitely made this my favourite trip to Finland (I’ve been 7 times before). I want somewhere that felt like home, somewhere comfortable and somewhere I can always return to and I finally found my go to hotel. I will be back!! Thank you to every staff member who corresponded and looked after my stay, I’m forever grateful!

The buffet breakfast was wonderful. It had tons of options, including fresh fruit, and some vegetables. While I am not vegan or gluten-free, I noticed they had those options available. The hotel sauna was top-notch and well-maintained. Being so close to the train station was helpful on several levels. I used it often as a landmark to get back to my hotel. Even even shopped, the department store connected to the hotel, and I’m not a frequent shopper. Also, I was on the eighth floor, and it was extremely quiet at night and early in the morning which helped with sleeping.

We stayed twice (each stay 3 days 2 nights) in the first week and second week of October 2024. The hotel located in the heart of city centre and right next to the main train station, metro and tram lines. The shopping malls, supermarkets, restaurants and sightseeing are all within short walking distance. The room is spacious, clean and the beds are comfortable. We enjoyed the night view of the city from the window. The hotel has luggage storage room facility (near the hotel entrance) and the door has security lock. Breakfast buffet style was nice with a great choice of food. Breakfast restaurant on the 10th floor and has beautiful view of Helsinki city. The front desk staffs are friendly and very helpful. Reasonable wait time for check-in/out. We had pleasant stay.

Interesting hotel, with lots of 1950's touches (it was built for the 1952 Olympics). Has been sympathetically renovated and is very, very central, right by the main railway station and main shopping areas. If I'm being picky the room was a touch small, perhaps. Quite expensive - but that's Helsinki. Arrived too late (just before midnight) to use the sauna sadly. Really impressive breakfast as well, so I'd recommend it highly. Also there's a handy 24 hour supermarket in the same building.

Location was great, and very quiet despite being in one of the main plazas. Room was well appointed, spacious, and very comfortable - especially liked the thick curtains as we were not used to so many hours of daylight! Breakfast was good - catered for meateaters, vegetarians/vegans. Loved the sourdough loaf bread! Cost of the room was a bit expensive for us, but certainly got what more than what we thought we paid for!