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Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Visit Helsinki: Hotel Helka

October 8, 2019

Visiting Helsinki and looking for a discrimination free, filled with unique art pieces and a “very Finnish” style hotel, Helka is the right choice for you. Located in the Helsinki city centre – Kamppi, it’s very easy to reach hotel Helka no matter which transportation you choose. Immediately as you enter Helka you’re greeted by the lovely and laidback staff.

You can choose if you want to use an electronic, self check in or the traditional one. Whatever you choose, your check in and check out will be equally user friendly and rarely that you’ll have to wait long to do either.

Hotel Helka has gone through some renovations and got a nice facelift so now it shines like a new penny. 🙂 You can check my previous review of Helka here. Besides standard comfort and smart rooms, there are also junior suites, all beautifully decorated with a touch of pink and cute notes, such as “Spend a night with Alvar Aalto” as there are a lot of designer touches in the hotel rooms, from Alvar Aalto vases to the Design house Stockholm famous brick lamps.

Many visitors have stayed in hotel Helka since it’s opening back in 1969, from the random hotel guests to the public personas. Hotel Helka also has a bit of a “movie history” as it served as a Hotel Budapest in American movie Gorky Park.

When visiting Helsinki, from the outside, Helka’s building doesn’t look that much different from other nearby buildings and you would never guess how stylish, cozy and pretty hotel is hiding inside. 🙂

I loved my stay at a Junior Suite and it’s private sauna was very much appreciated as I happen to love Finnish sauna and to have one at your own disposal in your own room is one of those small things which make life beautiful.

There are no mini bars at the hotel rooms because Helka is the holder of the Green Key and is very eco friendly so by not having mini bars it saves 50 000 kWh annually.

Delicious and organic breakfast is served every morning. If you feel like grabbing a drink with your friends or have a meeting with a larger group, Helka’s bar is always ready to serve you. 🙂 If you’re feeling like snacking, there’s a chance to grab a sandwich from the bar as well.

Finally, hotel Helka’s prices are some of the best ones in town and rooms are most of the time sold out but if you book in advance and through the hotel’s website using the code pinkhelsinki you will get -10% off your reservation.

*This post was made in collaboration with Hotel Helka, all of the opinions are my own.

Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Radisson Blu Plaza : Visit Helsinki

September 11, 2019

Radisson Blu Plaza is one of 4 Radisson Blu hotels in Helsinki. I haven’t stayed at the Radisson Blu Plaza previously but I knew that it’s one of the nicest looking old buildings in the heart of the city.

Radisson Blu Plaza

Radisson Blu Plaza is located right next to the Central Railway Station and it’s hard to miss on not spotting it as it’s facade is grandiose. There’re 302 rooms in this hotel which have been refurbished back in 2012 so now they’re decorated using the most impressive classics of Finnish design, for example some of the suites are decorated with Alvar Aalto’s most famous furnishings.

Hotel Lobby

Big ball room is perfect for events and weddings, there’re guest saunas, gym and hotel lobby is a perfect place to chill at or work on your laptop while you’re waiting on the room or on your private chauffeur to take you to the airport.

Radisson Blu Plaza has some of the services which aren’t so common in Helsinki such as concierge, bell boy and private chauffeur as well as a possibility to pick your own pillow (there are 5 different options).

I must say that the bed was one of the most comfortable ones I’ve slept in and that’s something that is very important to me when I’m staying at the hotels.

I also found it very convenient that all of the lights in the room could be adjusted on different “modes” on a mini electronic screen right next to the bed. Bathroom was well set up with the Radisson’s own toiletries and the TV screen in the bathroom mirror was a nice touch.

I sometimes like to test room service by requesting either a meal or something random like a set of cutlery or tea just to see how quick they are and how willing they’re to meet your needs. I did it this time too and Plaza’s room service was 5/5.

Radisson Blu Plaza is getting more and more recognised for it’s big breakfast buffet. The selection was plenty, various and thoughtful, meaning that they have served different variations to suit different diets. The restaurant’s design was incredible, very beautiful ceiling and lots of art photos everywhere.

If you’re stying at the Business Room or suite, you have the exclusive chance to have a more private breakfast at the hotel’s Business Lounge/ terrace. If you’re arriving with the car, Radisson Blu Plaza has its own parking garage.

It was a short but sweet stay at the Radisson Blu Plaza which I would recommend as a great choice for a weekend getaway or a very convenient place to stay at in Helsinki at a competitive price. 🙂

*This post was made in collaboration with Radisson Blu Plaza but all of the opinions are my own.

*Thank you to Miss Annukka for making this possible.

*Photos by Natali K. photography

Food, Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Hotel Katajanokka : Visit Helsinki

September 3, 2019

If you come to Helsinki by boat, chances are that you’ll arrive right at the Viking Line port and a hotel which is conveniently located nearby is hotel Katajanokka. Hotel Katajanokka is a very unique hotel and one of those experiences which you can put on your “bucket list” and the reason for that is because it used to be a prison!

Hotel Katajanokka entrance

Hotel Katajanokka was “made” in 2007. when it had been transformed from a prison into a hotel. Restoration lasted for a while and once it had opened it’s doors to the visitors it immediately became hyped up and a wanted place to stay at! You can still visit original group and isolation cells in the hotel but other than that and some prison like metal doors or window rails, you would never say that it served as a county prison previously.

Hotel Katajanokka goes by the motto “escape the ordinary” and you definitely do feel everything but ordinary staying at this modern, stylish and incredibly sweet hotel. The staff is one of the nicest I’ve encountered in my numerous hotel stays around the world.

Escape the ordinary

In 2018, hotel Katajanokka joined to chain of Mariott hotels which sets them a level up higher and a certain standard which they’re meeting flawlessly. All of the bedrooms are simple, practical and the walls are decorated with the photos and small details like “lockets” to portray the hotel’s past.

For all of the hungry bellies, on the 1st floor of the hotel, there’s a well spoken about restaurant Linnankellari which serves you delicious Nordic cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I had a chance to enjoy fine dinner testing some simple but full of flavour starters such as sprout salad, local blue cheese with rhubarb jam, new potatoes and broiled fish.

Main courses are hearty and perfect for sharing if you ain’t too hungry. 🙂 Linnankellari serves classics such as hotel’s own burger and fries as well as cooked pork ribs or something lighter like spelt risotto with asparagus.

There are three desserts but all three were very light and different, from deconstructed Pavlova to creme brûlée Linnankellari style, all three were worth the sugar spike. 😀

If you need a hotel in Helsinki which is nearby the best of local attractions but enough “tucked away” to give you sort of privacy and peace, hotel Katajanokka is the right choice for you, not to mention that if you’re into that whole “bucket thing” list, you simply must stay here!

*This post was made in collaboration with the hotel Katajanokka but all of the opinions are my own!

*Photography by #natalikphotography

*Thank you to Ms.Heli for this opportunity and Ms. Anni for the warm welcome.

Food, Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Marski by Scandic : Visit Helsinki

August 15, 2019

About 12 years ago when I’ve first visited Helsinki, there weren’t as many hotels as there are now in the very heart of the Helsinki city centre but one of the first hotels I did stay at back then was Scandic Simonkentta.

Swedish chain of 4 star hotels right away “got” me with their minimalistic design, effortless check in/out and great comfort. Couple of years after, I have stayed at hotel Marski as well and while it was not any different looking than the other Scandic hotels I’ve been to (in other cities such as Turku and Oulu) I did love the very central location of it, right on the main street Mannerheimintie and right across the best department store in Finland, Stockmann as well as the historical Swedish theatre and 3 blacksmiths square.

Scandic Marski hotel lobby
very stylish and cosy Scandic Marski rooms

About a year and half ago I have heard that hotel Marski is under the reconstruction and the whole new look and concept will be given to it!

Oh and it was so! Beautiful new hotel Marski by Scandic was (re)opened couple of months ago and the new , very stylish and fancy design had complemented the “old fame” of the place.

I love the cozyness of it, the upgraded bedrooms and amenities as well as the restaurant Kuusi Palaa which served us amazing dinner and a wonderful breakfast table. I found the rooms to be very stylish, more spacious than before and I have loved the new “splash” of colour it got versus the other Scandic hotels I know of.

Marble walls and golden details in the bathroom!

Gym, sauna access, parking garage and super friendly and helpful staff would be definitely what I’m looking for when staying at a hotel in any city’s centre. Something that is also great about Marski by Scandic hotel is that WiFi is free of charge, pets are allowed and it also proudly carries the Nordic Swan eco label for the sustainability.

Thanks to already mentioned hotel’s restaurant Kuusi Palaa, I have dined well and have enjoyed to the max Noridc / Finnish cuisine at it’s best. The name of the restaurant is quite entertaining as it can mean many different things and some of them are: “Burning Tree” or “6 slices”. You even get a small pamphlet on your dinner table explaining the name and all of the variations of it. 🙂

Restaurant Kuusi Palaa

It’s rare that I like any of the hotel’s own restaurants, but Kuusi Palaa has definitely satisfied my foodie standards as well as my tastebuds. 🙂

From the starter plate or so called Finnish tapas to the main course and finishing off the dinner with a rich but just perfectly combined brownie with coffee cream and popping candy was nothing short but great!

I can definitely recommend you to try out the Marski bar, besides live music played by the DJ you can also enjoy many great cocktails among which I’d like to point out Grandma’s pickle cocktail and Raspberry boat, both of them you can also get as a mocktail. 🙂 For avid beer lovers, there’s an extensive list of local and Finnish beers as well.

If you find yourself visiting Helsinki sometime soon and are looking for a 5 star hotel treatment and vibe but at much affordable rate, give a chance to Marski by Scandic, you won’t regret it!

*This article was made in collaboration with Scandic hotels / Marski hotel but all of the opinions are my own.

*Photography by Natali K. photography

*Thank you Ms. Elina and Mr. Jouko for this opportunity!

Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Visit Helsinki: The Tray

April 20, 2018

The Tray – place where the good vibes and delicious food are bottomless! 🙂 If you’re visiting Helsinki or live here, you should definitely check out The Tray – a restaurant which is much more than your “regular” hotel restaurant experience.  Continue Reading…

Food, Lifestyle, My Work

Visit Helsinki: Taste of Japan

November 23, 2017

Visit Helsinki series have been one of the most read and also my personal favourite articles on the blog, therefore it doesn’t come as a surprise that they’ve been a constant on my blog for more than 2 years. Visit Helsinki? Why would somebody want to visit the capital of the Santa Land, esp. when it comes to a foodie experience? Well, there are many reasons why to visit this unique city which keeps on evolving in every direction all the time, food scene being one of them.

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Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Visit Helsinki: Nest Factory

September 2, 2017

Visit Helsinki has been one of my most favourite sections on the blog and one of the most read ones too! I’m more than happy to present you with all of the gems which my city holds on it’s hospitality and “hedonistic” map. 🙂 Thank you for the shown interest and support, I appreciate it very much and am motivated to keep on bringing you stories about shops, hotels, restaurants and such in Helsinki that are worth the visit or spending your time and money at. Nest Factory is one of them! Continue Reading…

Food, Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Visit Helsinki: Goodwin steakhouse

August 18, 2017

After a very great response from my readers about Tokyostreet.org, I’m more than happy to put a spotlight on another great restaurant in Helsinki as part of my “Visit Helsinki” series of posts where I recommend you the restaurants to dine at in my town, places to stay at, special spots to visit, etc.

Today I’m bringing you a review of, by the choices of many locals as well as tourists, the best steakhouse in Finland: Goodwin Steakhouse. Continue Reading…

Lifestyle, My Work, Travel

Visit Helsinki : Clarion airport hotel

May 27, 2017

How grandiose can be an airport hotel? I have always avoided staying at the airport hotels, unless that was the only option due to my flights either taking off too early or being canceled. Even with that, I have stayed at the airport hotels maybe 3 or 4 times. When I do travel abroad, I’m not your super cool “Airbnb” gal which scores big time some super cool place for the fraction of the price you’d pay for staying at 4 or 5 star hotels. When I travel, I do want to have everything ” top notch ” and feel like I’m treating myself every moment of the trip. Great hotel with the high standard services and policies is one of the major links of making the most of my trip and being 100% satisfied with the money spent on, as I like to say, pure hedonism.

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