Crowne Plaza Helsinki

A hotel that appeals to businesspeople, the Crowne Plaza Helsinki is located on one of Finland's main thoroughfares, a 10-to-15-minute walk from the center of the city. The eight-story hotel provides the necessities most travelers require for an overnight stay: A clean room, quiet, widescreen TV, substantial in-room work space, and Internet access. There is a spa, gym, and swimming pool on the premises.Rooms are clean and modern. A large wooden desk with a sunken bay to plug in a laptop or other electronic equipment and good lighting make it a comfortable place to work. The heated floor and magnifying mirror in the bathroom make showering and applying cosmetics even more pleasant.Breakfast is included in the rate at the Crowne Plaza Helsinki, and the full buffet features scrambled eggs and bacon, different cereals, fresh fruit, cheeses, smoked salmon, ham and salami, and a varied breadbasket including light, flaky croissants and addictive little chocolate wafers. The hotel also has a pub and a restaurant for meals later in the day.The second floor of the Crowne Plaza Helsinki holds meeting space that can be converted to a ballroom as well as smaller suites for more intimate gatherings.Weekend packages include overnight accommodations for two, a buffet breakfast in the hotel restaurant or served in your room, use of the sauna and swimming pool in the Forever Gym & Day Spa, a bottle of champagne, fresh fruits, and chocolate.The Crowne Plaza Helsinki is located on Mannerheimintie, one of two major thoroughfares in Helsinki. The closest landmark is the Finnish National Opera House, and the city's Esplanade is a 10-minute walk away. Taxis are readily available, and passengers can pay for a ride with a credit card.In a threat to guest safety and sanity, during my stay one of the hotel's three elevators repeatedly bounced and stopped on multiple floors while descending without opening. It then landed and opened safely on the ground floor. Since buttons are marked in Finnish, English speakers can not identify an emergency call button. The front desk clerk was advised of the erratic service, but did not warn guests to avoid the elevator or post a sign to alert them that it was not functioning properly. This negligence alone may give potential guests serious pause.Guest room floors are made of a laminate material that feels odd under the feet. Carpeting or complimentary slippers in this cool clime would be appreciated.

Also, the Crowne Plaza's health club closes daily at 9 pm and opens at 10 am, making visits inconvenient for guests who prefer to use the facilities late at night or in the morning before checking out.

Crowne Plaza Helsinki
Mannerheimintie 50
00260 Helsinki
FINLAND
+358 9 2521 0000

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Crowne Plaza Helsinki Web Site

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