Hotel Insider: Hotel Haven, Helsinki

Have a smart and civilised stay in the heart of Helsinki, Finland at Hotel Haven.

The well-appointed rooms are largely noise-free. Courtesy Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The welcome

The hotel’s exterior is a rather nondescript, eight-storey, purpose-built block, but, once inside, the welcome is cheerful, enthusiastic and professional. The lobby is smart, clean and welcoming, raised slightly from street level, with a comfortable attached lounge with various newspapers, a laptop computer for general use and an old-style bar.

The neighbourhood

The hotel is situated one street back from the waterfront, making it a great location for the newly renovated indoor food market by the quayside, sightseeing trips by boat, ferries to Tallinn and the Esplanade. It also borders the Design District.

The room

My room is on the seventh floor with a view of the harbour. It’s ideal because there’s a three-sided courtyard in front, and no street noise at all. The room is comfortable and inviting, with a great bed beside the window, thick blackout curtains and a desk area. The carpets are clean and the whole place feels fresh. The air conditioning works better than at any other hotel I tried here and the bathroom is spacious and has a bath.

The service

Warm, genuine, unpretentious and knowledgeable. When I ask for my iPhone to be charged, a receptionist offers me a charger without quibble. Queries about directions are matched with a map being whipped out and solutions marked. The sunglasses I leave behind at dinner are presented at checkout. Even the cleaning staff are cheerful.

The scene

This is a place that’s mostly frequented by holidaymakers and families, either locals or from elsewhere in Europe. It’s adult but family-friendly, with a reserved and civilised air. The restaurant, Havis, attracts punters from outside also, and is mostly set within a pleasant courtyard, though guests also have the choice of eating in an interconnected old-style building, which would be great in winter. The seafood restaurant is popular with locals, hotel guests and guests from outside.

The food

Havis is seafood-centric. I have the three-course “local” menu (€49; Dh225), which starts with delicious home-made bread and continues with crayfish soup, smoked Arctic char with vegetables and a selection of local cheese. The breakfast consists of a good-quality buffet, with fresh breads, cheeses, cereals, yoghurt, a selection of smoked and dried fish and a small hot selection. There’s no cutting corners with the coffee, either.

Loved

Most things, especially the service, food and location. Free bicycles are available for guests.

Hated

The large block that the hotel occupies seems to contradict its description as a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group; inside, however, it pulls it off.

The verdict

The hotel’s website makes it look slightly twee, but having stayed at no fewer than three hotels in Helsinki, this turned out to be my favourite. Central but quiet, it feels smart, safe and happy – in other words, it fits its description.

The bottom line

Double rooms at Hotel Haven, Unioninkatu 17, Helsinki, Finland (www.hotelhaven.fi; 00358 968 1930), cost from €179 (Dh825) per night, including breakfast and taxes.