The Kalastajatorppa is a mid-sized hotel, perhaps better known for its historic conference facilities. The hotel itself is basically two stories, half the rooms facing towards the lake and the other half towards the mountains. I recommend asking for a lake-view room.

Staff:
I found the staff to be quite efficient and helpful. They gave me coherent and correct directions and any requests were handled promptly (which is more than I've come to expect from most hotels).

Room:
The rooms have a fairly typical Scandanavian feel, with wood floors and the like. My room (including bathroom) was clean, did not smell of smoke, and was a decent size. The housekeeping gave no cause for complaint. The amenities were good. The shower runs hot and is easy to adjust! The bathrooms have nice heated tile floors.

Perhaps the strangest thing I noticed is that the LCD TV is on a shelf next to the bed, making it a bit too close and an odd viewing angle. Also, the doors of all the rooms tend to slam loudly. If you sleep lightly, this may wake you up.

On the lake-view rooms, there is a work desk facing the lake with adequate electricity outlets (no need to go moving furniture for a plug). Wireless internet reception in the room is quite good, but costs around 15 Euros per day.

Dining:
I did not eat breakfast at the hotel but heard from my fellow guests that it was decent. I heard not-so-good things about dinner options, so went downtown instead.

Location:
The hotel is located to the west of downtown Helsinki. Taxi from the airport is around 30-35 Euro. The hotel is a short walk from the terminus of the 4E tram line, which takes you downtown (stops opposite Stockmann, Sokos, easy access to the main railway station) for 2 Euro. Going back, take the 4E towards Munkkiniemi.

Conclusion:
I'm not sure that it is my favourite Helsinki hotel, but certainly I wouldn't have a problem staying here again. My room was reasonably priced for Helsinki (under 100 Euro), and I would recommend this hotel, particularly due to the lake side location. The tram made access to downtown fairly easy.

A simple building made extra special by its waterside setting.
My room did not overlook the fantastic water scenic and distant horizons with lovely sunsets but I was lucky to have pleasant views of trees and rocky outcrops. I was pleasantly suprised to find this hotel was not the typical modern high rise. Instead it was a short walk from reception along a sweeping curved hallway to my ground floor room. With this room on a curve my view offered complete privacy and no sight of other rooms or buildings at all.
The food was good and breakfasts average. I recommend an evening meal in the restaurant with a window seat for the views.

This hotel provides really good value for money.

Located on the sea front just a short tram ride from the city centre (2E). The staff were polite and helpful. The standard park view rooms were quiet (outside), very clean, the beds very comfortable and the bedding of good quality. Under floor heating in a really nice but small bathroom. The breakfast was of a high standard with lots of choice. In particular the terrace bar and restaurant overlooking the sea was excellent.

A few minuses were that we were only offered a twin room and not the king we had booked. We had to change rooms on check-in due to the fact that the room opposite contained 2 small barking dogs. Sound travelled between rooms and we were woken up by the TV in the room next door. There was no bath just a shower. There was were no tea or coffee making facilities in the room.

However the pluses outweighed the minuses and overall we enjoyed our stay and would stay again.

From the airport leaves a luxury Finnair bus every 20 minutes to the city. It stands on platform 10, when you walk out of the terminal building. It has only two stops in Helsinki, one at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the final stop at the Railway Station. In all it takes app. 35 minutes for 5.20 euro p.p. We took a taxi from the Crowne Plaza stop, which is closer to the Hilton Kalastajatorppa Hotel; on our return we just took the tram to the center and from there the Finnair bus.

This Hilton is situated in lovely setting, next to a beautiful lake and in all green surroundings. Upon arrival I was welcomed by a very friendly employee and really surprised to be greeted in Dutch! (Later I realized that I was recognized by my bag from the tax-free shop of Amsterdam Airport, but still it was a really nice gesture.) Also my reservation with my name was immediately on the desk and my husband and I were given a fantastic room at the 8th floor (or more to say the 4th floor of the second building) with a great balcony.

The room is of a proper size and the furniture is very modern, it has a good bed, a working desk with chair and a comfortable easy chair. There is a minibar, a flat TV and a watercooker with cups and coffee facilities. The bathroom is spacious, with a bath and a separate shower. There is a sort of walk-in closet with enough space and an iron set. The airco worked without making noise. On the balcony we had two chairs and a table. On every floor is an ice machine. As Gold Hhonors members we received two bottles of water, some fruit and chocolates. This was brought to our room just shortly after our arrival.

It was sunny that Friday afternoon and so nice on the balcony that we didn’t go to the city center that day, but sat here for some hours. We also made a stroll along the lake and surroundings. There is a nice cafe with al large terrace not far away with many local people. In the evening we had dinner in the hotel restaurant. We sat outside on a lovely terrace with view on the lake. The employees were friendly and sufficient, they all spoke English very well. We had the 4-course dinner, it was rather good but still somewhat below expectations and the courses were also served too soon after one other.

In the early morning we saw from our balcony, a huge hare, pheasants and all kinds of goose and ducks. It was a fantastic view and we really enjoyed it. The breakfast was very good, many many things to choose from. Eggs could be ordered in any way and all the employees were very forthcoming.

There is a business center with a computer and printer, using it is free. The door can only be opened with a key by the front desk staff.

Just a short walk away it is very convenient to take the tram 4 or 4a to the city center. Trams run from 4 to 7 times in the hour and it takes about 20 minutes. By the hotel is the end stop, so it is hard to miss upon return.

The hotel has bicycles for free use, a very nice offer, as it is great to see something of the surroundings. On the last day of our weekend stay I used this to go the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, less than 10 minutes by bike. Here I saw many houses and a church from former days. There are also Art Museums nearby, unfortunately I didn’t had time to visit them as well.

In all it was an extremely pleasant weekend, those 3 days in this hotel; It must be the ideal city trip, a very relaxing stay in green and beautiful surroundings and still close by a city center.