Capital cities are often our first stop at a new destination. Things turned out a little differently for Finland. It wasn't until our 4th visit to Finland that we finally visited Helsinki.
Last autumn we took the overnight train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Lapland. So it was important for us to have a hotel with a convenient location. Good for exploring the city but also close to the train station.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She stayed at Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.
Scandic
Scandic Hotels is a Swedish hotel chain with its headquarter in Stockholm. They are the largest Nordic hotel operator with a network of about 280 hotels with 58.000 rooms. Their hotels are located in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany and Poland.
Scandic was the first hotel chain to ask guests to re-use their towels. Today the hang-up-your-towel concept is the global industry standard at hotels around the world. One that saves thousands of liters of water and four tons of detergent each year. Only at Scandic.
Location
For us, location is always key when we look at hotels. In this specific case, location is even our most important criterion. It was important to be within walking distance of Helsinki train station. Not only the airport train arrives and departs here, but even more important for us is that the night train to Lapland also departs from here.
Once we arrived, it turned out to be much better and more ideal than what we could see on the internet. We arrived in Helsinki by plane and took the direct train to the center. You arrive at Helsinki Central Station.
When we got out, we saw a large 'Hotel Grand Central' sign. So it couldn't be far, and it really wasn't. You walk off the platform, turn left out of the station building, turn left again and walk straight into the hotel. Absolutely perfect!
With this hotel you are located in the middle of the city, so the biggest highlights of Helsinki, such as the Ferris wheel on the water, are all a maximum 15-minute walk away.
From the moment you walk into the hotel it makes an impression. From the entrance you walk into an impressive hall. On the left are the restaurant, breakfast room and bar and to the right are the reception and general areas of the hotel.
Opposite the reception they have a lovely and quiet lounge area. Here you will find several seating areas and a fireplace. Wonderful to relax for a while.
The building in which the hotel is housed was built in 1909. A beautiful old building. The hotel has a total of 491 rooms spread over 5 floors. What is immediately noticeable are the long and identical corridors of the hotel, the longest of which is 159 meters, equal to the adjacent train track. They give the hotel a real first class look and feel. Look carefully where you come from, because it really does look the same, so don't get lost.
Room types
There are four types of rooms to choose from. A standard room, a classic room, a superior room and the suites.
The rooms are decorated timelessly elegant and really give that first class hotel experience. The rooms are divided over two parts of the hotel. The rooms in the original part of the building are very charming with wide windowsills, paned windows and thick walls. The rugged modern rooms in the new part are light, bright and spacious with high ceilings.
Classic King
Our classic king room was located in the original part of the building. The room is very chic and stylish. A comfortable and large bed and also a sitting area. The large windows provide a view of railway square.
The bathroom is large with a bath and shower combination. It really feels like a first class hotel room.
Click here to check out the Scandic Grand Central Helsinki rates on Booking.
Brasserie Grand
Our experience is that the quality of food in Finland is of a very high standard everywhere. Fortunately, this is also the case at Brasserie Grand of Grand Hotel Helsinki. The restaurant has a luxurious and peaceful atmosphere.
The food is really top quality! We have rarely eaten so deliciously. We think it's a must to dine here if you stay at this hotel. Although it is also a top restaurant tip if you are in Helsinki and are not staying overnight here.
You can also dine at Brasserie Grand if you are not a guest of the hotel. In any case, it is advisable to make a reservation for dinner so that you are assured of a table.
Breakfast
Of course breakfast is included with every room you book here. Breakfast is served daily until 09.30 AM and in the weekends even until 11.00 AM. The breakfast buffet is quite extensive and of the same high quality that you would expect here.
Bar G
Bar G is located right next to Brasserie Grand. So after your amazingly delicious dinner it's just a few steps to your next stop, Bar G. A superb but at the same time classic meeting place in the heart of the city.
An amazing and cozy oasis to relax and meet friends, while enjoying the best cocktails and refreshing drinks. Definitely enjoy one or some of their cocktails while staying here.
Gym & Sauna
In the basement of the hotel you can find the gym and sauna. The gym is not large but offers everything you need.
The sauna is not mixed, so separate for men and women. You need your hotel card to enter the sauna. In addition to the saunas, there are also showers and a common area to sit and relax.
Courtyard
The hotel also has a garden at the back, the inner courtyard. A hidden gem that you really must see. A wonderfully peaceful oasis in the heart of the capital. From the sauna facilities, you have direct access to this courtyard. You would almost forget that you are right in the center of Helsinki.
Former VR headquarter
VR group is a government-owned railway company in Finland. VR's most important function is the operation of Finland's passenger rail services with 250 long-distance and 800 commuter rail services every day. VR is one of the most significant operators in the Finnish public transport market area.
It has been mentioned before in this blog, the absolutely perfect location of the hotel in relation to Helsinki Central Station. But what I only found out while writing this blog is that this hotel was once built as VR's administrative and office building. Not only does it have a perfect location near the central station, but the building has also been closely connected to the Finnish railways from the start.
It's a building with a unique history. The original building holds a significant historical and cultural legacy. For this reason the hotel is an essential part of the cityscape of Helsinki. The building is also one of the most prestigious and protected historical estates in Finland.
The renovation and transformation of the building to a hotel took four years in total. The hotel as we know it today, Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, opened its doors to the public in April 2021.
Our final thoughts...
From the moment I saw the Scandic Grand Central Helsinki and its prime location in the city and next to the train station, I knew this was our hotel to go for Helsinki. I can tell you that this hotel definitely does not disappoint. As far as we are concerned, the location is the best.
Both the train station and the bus station are right on the doorstep of this hotel. In terms of accessibility, it couldn't be better. The shops and sights of Helsinki are all within a relatively short walk. It is the perfect hotel to discover Helsinki.
Click here to check out the Scandic Grand Central Helsinki rates on Booking.