Helsinki Travel Forum

Hi all
I am getting married on December 1st this year, and my wife to be and I are considering Helsinki for 4 nights as our honeymoon. (Unfortunately we can only get a week of work and the flights that suit are Tuesday to Saturday) Because it’s a short trip can any one recommend a good luxury hotel (central). Things to do and see, bear in mind its early December. And just some general advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

John, when was the last time you were on a honeymoon? Long time ago ha? With a good hotel in the centre, they wouldn't even notice much about the weather ;-)
About hotels, check the Hilton Strand, Radisson SAS, Scandic Simonkenta and hotel Kamp. They are all good hotels in good location.

A walk in the snow can be very romantic guys. Personally i like snow, but that most likely something to do with the fact that we don´t get it here.

As for things to do besides the pub and the shops, you have (indoor)museums too

Yes, you are right, the only problem is that December is usually too early for snow here in the south (Helsinki), but sometimes we do have snow here by that time.

Hmmm.

I'm also going to Helsinki ( from 14th unitl 17th) in December. After reading this I'm a little bit worried. I'm solo traveling. And hope it's not that bad as you guys (girls) are telling. I've planned to go tho Taillin, The sea-fortress, the zoo and the rest would be sightseeing Helsinki itself.
So fingers crossed for December.

Oh ok, I'm more relaxed know. I'm not afraid of the cold. Warm clothes, outdoor walking and lovely coffee or Glog to get warm again. I really looking forward to go on my trip to Helsinki.

Big Kiss

Congartulations !!! Too bad you didn't post where you are from, it might have changed things. I like Helsinki a lot when I visit, but to be honest unless you are of Finnish desent, or from Sweden, I would recomend a trip to Stockholm instead. Not a lot of things to do in Helsinki, especially in winter; not even an old town to wander around and it isn't any cheaper, easier to get to,or much farther, than Stockholm. For a short stay, I would also recomend Tallinn, Estonia; which is a little cheaper, most things are within walking distance, also close to Helsinki, and has a very nice romantic old town.

Hopefully you will get some other suggestions, but mostly what I have found in Helsinki is expensive shopping, bars, and museums, which is fine, but maybe not for a honeymoon.

Hope you have a great time wherever you go !!!

He he, you obviously fell to the usual tourist traps of expensive bars & restaurants in the centre, as well as for shopping. That is the same in EVERY big city I have visited.
You know, not all tourists are short of money, many that travel to the Nordic countries are aware of the cost of living and willing to pay that, look for example how expensive is Norway and still it is full of tourists.
So, in such case, maybe it's better to save more money to afford such countries then visit them on the budget.
And, by the way, if you eat where the local eat & drink you can save your money ;-)

Check out
http://www.palacekamp.fi/in_english/hotels/
for a few more or less luxury hotels. I'd recommend especially the new boutique hotel Glo.

Kämp is considered the very best.

Do go to Tallinn for a day or two, you won't regret it.

First: Congratulations to both of you!

I would warmly recommend that you stay at Hotel Kämp. The best hotel in Finland, it is included (again) in the "100 best of the best 2007" -list, in Conde Nast Traveler. (Kämp is the only hotel in Scandinavia on that list).

Kämp is centrally located, and the location is also very nice; it faces the Esplanade Park. It is a beautiful hotel, and I would stay there if I visited in the winter. The hotel concierge can recommend what to do, and help you with arrangements. After all, they know what is going on during that particular week, what events take place during that week.

We usually stay at Palace (which also is a nice hotel but not as luxurious as Kämp), mainly because I miss the Finnish archipelago a lot and Palace has views of the harbor and the islands. We also love their (very good) saunas (one is a wood burning one) that can be privately rented. Kämp has a sauna, too, but it cannot be privately rented.

Someone here suggested that you consider Stockholm instead. I disagree. Not because I dislike Stockholm, but because Helsinki is quite wonderful and has a lot to offer, and especially during a 4 day stay, you will have more and enough things to see and visit, trust me.
My husband and I used to spend our summer vacations in Helsinki, about 11 days, and we always wanted to stay longer. We have also been there in the winter, and had no problem to fill our time with activities.

Dress really warmly, pack layers, including hats, gloves. This way you can take advantage of one of the most wonderful things about this city: it is really easy to walk in the center and the surrounding areas.

I actually envy you both, I would so love to go to Helsinki in December, actually for Christmas.

I want to include a non-commercial link, to a site called My Best Helsinki http://www.mybesthelsinki.com/ There is a lot of Helsinki information on that site. Great photos; both summer & winter pics, several pages with restaurant reviews and links, a "where to go & what to do" -page, a hotel list, etc. It has a lot of information about Helsinki & manyt different Helsini links. Worth checking out.

Have fun!

Here is a winter photo of hotel Kämp, taken from the Esplanade Park. Kämp is the building behind the red & blue traffic sign:
http://www.mybesthelsinki.com/Photos4/EsplanadeParkOldKioskWinter.jpg
By the way, this photo was taken in October a few years ago. (As are most of the winter photos on this page http://www.mybesthelsinki.com/HelsinkiPhotos4.html).
Octobers can be mild but they can also be brutally cold. The thing is; you never know.

Someone, in a different thread on this board (“WEATHER IN HELSINKI”), claimed that Octobers are not cold, and that layering clothes is not needed. That is false. It is better to be prepared.

Lopeta tuo lapsellinen inttäminen, Pupulainen.

You are plainly wrong, Pupulainen, I am a Helsinki native and have experienced several Octobers with nasty, cold days.
My point is, that even though it can be mild, and even though you have a mild OCtober, you, no matter how stubbornly you try to contradict me, CANNOT promise travelers that it is not going to be cold on any given week or days.

What is more important to you? To stubbornly argue your point, and rudely laugh at other posters, or to try to sincerely help them to have a successful stay in Helsinki.

Oops.. what is this? Girls fight and I missed all the fun.... ;-)
I remember mid October... I think 2004 where the snow hit the south of Finland and we had white winter until March, so everything is possible.
The only thing I can be sure about Finland that it is "Never too hot" :)
Anyhow, right now I am still using my summer tyres in my car and have no rush to replace them yet. Maybe next week.

You sure Gili? I remember an august in 2002 when it was very very warm in Helsinki, 26C easily

26? Are you serious? 26 is only comfortable nicely warm my friend ;-) I know guys who don't even put shorts on unless it is over 30.
So I can say it once again, it is never too hot in Finland, never... unless you are in the sauna LOL

Sweetheart, debating and discussing is one thing - and mocking people and being rude for what they write, is another thing. I have seen you do just that in the different threads on this Helsinki board.

Be respectful and you will be treated respectfully. When people write something you do not agree with, do not laugh at them or mock them, just simply post your differing opinion.

But if mocking and being disrespectful is what you call debating or discussing - then anyone with manners and brains -on all discussion forums all over the world- will not think much of you.

Right now, by example, you do not give a very positive image of the Finns to the world.