Image courtesy of Hotel St. George
The best Helsinki hotels embody modern Scandinavian design and pamper you with warm Finnish hospitality. Read on for our favorite hotels in Helsinki, Finland, from stylish central stays to waterfront retreats — each visited by Fora Advisors during a September 2024 scouting trip.
Connect with a Fora travel advisor to plan, book and elevate your stay at one of Helsinki's top hotels. If you want recommendations for things to do in the city, your advisor can also offer expert travel tips and curate your itinerary.
3 of the best hotels in or near Helsinki, Finland
In September 2024, a team of Fora Advisors visited Helsinki, along with other Nordic capitals, to explore the area’s top hotels and get a feel for the city’s unique charm. They visited three properties in the region: Hotel St. George in Helsinki proper; The Barö, on a secluded portion of Finland’s southern coastline; and Runo Hotel, on Porvoo.
Related article: Definitive Guide: Nordic Region
Hotel St. George
Image courtesy of Hotel St. George
Hotel St. George is a luxurious blend of art, wellness and historical charm. It’s housed in a historic building dating back to the 1840s, but offers a refined, modern experience. One of Hotel St. George’s standout features is its impressive art collection, with over 400 pieces scattered throughout the hotel, including a massive dragon sculpture in the lobby by artist Ai Weiwei. There’s also the Wintergarden, an indoor common space with a beautiful glass ceiling, under which you can relax and enjoy cocktails amidst curated art installations.
“From the minute you enter, you feel like you’re in a museum,” Fora Advisor Christie Sweaney said of Hotel St. George. The hotel even publishes its own newspaper that details all the current exhibits, and leaves one in each room.
“Walking into that entrance and seeing a huge Ai Weiwei art piece just hanging out like that was breathtaking!” Fora Advisor Sam Growdon added.
The rooms and suites are elegantly designed, with natural materials and sleek Scandinavian furniture.
“It feels like your bestie-with-exceptional-taste’s apartment,” Sam added.
The St. George Care Spa features an authentic Finnish sauna, steam room and a pool designed for relaxation. And the Playground, a fully equipped gym, allows you to maintain your fitness routine.
The hotel’s restaurant, Andrea, brings a unique blend of Nordic and Mediterranean flavors. But there’s also an in-house bakery in the property’s basement. Fora Advisor Stephanie Morgan described it as a “hidden gem,” noting that the spot is adored by locals and guests alike. Stephanie recommends stopping by for baked goods and great coffee in the morning.
Notably, Hotel St. George is just steps away from Helsinki’s famous Esplanadi Park and the Design District, making it an excellent homebase for exploring the city proper.
Fora Perks at Hotel St. George:
A local experience, breakfast daily, VIP status, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Barö
The Barö is a family-owned retreat atop a cliff overlooking the Finnish archipelago. It’s an intimate escape about an hour’s drive (or boat voyage) from Helsinki. The property focuses on slow living, encouraging you to unwind amid coastal Finland’s beauty.
“The Barö in Finland is the first hotel that comes to mind when I think about returning to the Nordics,” Fora Advisor Kristen Kolek said. “The peaceful setting and beautiful views made me want to grab my book and a cup of coffee or glass of wine and sit and enjoy.”
Eco-conscious and design-driven, the hotel strives to seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings, with sustainably built cabins and panoramic views of the Baltic Sea and nearby islands. Each of the 18 units hosts a cozy fireplace, minimalist décor and comfortable furnishings.
“To wake up and feel like you’re sleeping in the forest but not camping ( I'm not a camper!) is surreal,” Fora Advisor Sam Growdon said. “It’s the perfect place for a digital detox.”
Activities include kayaking, boating and custom nature walks. The hotel will work with you to plan an excursion — all of which start from the hotel grounds.
The hotel’s restaurant emphasizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, offering an authentic Finnish culinary experience. Everyone who stayed here as part of the FAM trip praised the bread and butter, and even got to take the recipe home.
“The steak tartare was perfection, as were all the thoughtfully prepared dishes,” Fora Advisor Kathleen O’Neill said.
Runo Hotel Porvoo
Image courtesy of Runo Hotel Porvoo
Runo Hotel Porvoo offers a twist on traditional Finnish hospitality, about 45 minutes east of Helsinki. Our Fora Advisors described the property, by design, as having an upscale-residential feel.
“It’s a family-run business to its core, with the owner’s mother coming in to offer authentic baking classes,” Fora Advisor Stephanie Morgan said.
Rune Hotel operates out of a beautifully restored 1912 building, melding the historic charm of Porvoo’s architecture with contemporary Scandinavian design elements. The property emphasizes a home-away-from-home experience: The interior is warm and inviting, with Scandinavian minimalist décor and touches of luxury.
“They label themselves as a handmade high-end hotel with a high level of service and plenty of soul,” Fora Advisor Christie Sweaney said. “I can’t say enough about the level of personalization that was shown to our group.”
Stephanie spoke to this, too: "By offering lots of personalized excursions and classes,” Stephanie added, “their goal is to break the barriers of formality in luxury service.”
Enjoy a blend of Scandinavian and international cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, which focuses on locally sourced ingredients. It only serves breakfast and lunch, as the owners want to encourage guests to explore Porvoo’s excellent culinary scene. (The team enjoyed dinner at Var, a Michelin-Starred restaurant about 10 minutes away by foot.) Runo Hotel’s location in the heart of Porvoo’s Old Town places you steps away from the town’s cobblestone streets, boutiques and cafés.
Book a hotel in Helsinki with a Fora Advisor
Book and plan your stay with a Fora Advisor, and they’ll matchmake you to your ideal Helsinki hotel. Whether you're looking for luxury, boutique charm or a cozy retreat, your advisor will ensure your accommodation fits your travel style and budget. Plus, if you want help planning your itinerary, they can offer expert recommendations and insider tips to make the most of your Helsinki experience.
Helsinki hotel and related travel FAQs
Read on for answers to questions about Helsinki hotels and general information about the city.
Does it make more sense to stay in Helsinki or near it?
If you’re looking for an urban experience, it makes more sense to stay in Helsinki, especially its city center or near the Design District. Otherwise, staying a bit outside Helsinki offers more scenic accommodations, particularly if you prefer nature and quiet surroundings. In either case, public and private transportation in Helsinki is excellent, so even if you choose to stay just outside the city, getting into the center is easy and efficient.
What’s the best area of Helsinki to stay in? How much does it normally cost to stay in Helsinki?
Image courtesy of Runo Hotel Porvoo
Helsinki’s city center is the most popular choice because of its proximity to major landmarks, shops and restaurants. Plus, the rest of the city’s highlights are conveniently nearby. Despite offering a similar caliber of accommodations, Helsinki hotels in or near the city center typically offer approachable rates compared to other major cities in Europe. Luxury hotels start at around $300 per night, even during peak travel seasons.
How many nights should you stay in the Helsinki area?
Three to four nights allow you to fully explore Helsinki and surrounding destinations like Porvoo, Turku and Nuuksio National Park. You can certainly make a weekend out of Helsinki, or even pair it with other destinations in the Nordics, like our FAM team did.
Related guide: 4 Night Winter Getaway to Helsinki
How far in advance should you book Helsinki hotels?
We recommend booking Helsinki hotels at least two to three months in advance if you're traveling during peak seasons such as summer, or during major events. Booking this early will give you the best selection of choices in terms of location and amenities. If you’re visiting during the winter or shoulder seasons, you will likely have more flexibility with last-minute bookings.
What are the best months to stay in Helsinki? What’s the weather like?
May to September are the most popular months to visit. The weather is mild, and the days are long (the sun sets after midnight in June and July). Summer temperatures average 68℉, while the shoulder seasons offer less predictable temperatures and weather (rain, snow…). Winter, however, is very cold. Temperatures regularly drop below freezing, but this can also be a magical time for seeing the Northern Lights or enjoying winter festivals.
What’s there to do in Helsinki?
Our article on things to do in Helsinki breaks the city’s offerings down in detail. But highlights include exploring the city’s architecture, taking a boat tour to Suomenlinna Fortress and taking a karelian pie-making (or other Finnish culinary) class.
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