Hilton HHonors - Scandic Palace Tallinn

I guess communications inside Hilton are a little slow... I had to call the Diamond Desk 3 times today until I found someone that acknowledged that Hilton had properties in Tallinn, Estonia.

Finally, I got someone and secured a room. Im staying at the Scandic Palace. Do Scandic's acknowledge Diamond Benefits, including the upgrade perk? I wonder if I need to call someone before hand to try to get a nice room...?

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, any FTers based in Tallinn?


------------------
Gaucho100K

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Do Scandic's acknowledge Diamond Benefits, including the upgrade perk?</font>

http://www.hilton.com/en/hhonors/benefits/levels.jhtml

"At Scandic hotels, Diamond VIP members will automatically receive the best available room, if available when booking."

"Additional Benefits when staying at Scandic hotels:

- 100 SEK Food & Beverage Voucher: You receive a restaurant voucher worth 100 SEK** for each night spent at Scandic hotels, although not in connection with a reward night. The voucher can be used for food and beverage at the hotel.
- 25% Discount on Food & Beverages: As a Diamond VIP member you have a 25% discount on food and beverage for up to 2 persons Monday-Thursday and up to 6 persons Friday-Sunday.
- 50% Cinema Discount: Diamond VIP members get a 50% discount on Scandic hotels Cinema.

**Or equivalent with other local currency.


<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Also, any FTers based in Tallinn?</font>

I believe that fokker50 is from Tallinn.

Cool! Thanks for posting the benefits... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Gaucho, I travel to Tallinn monthly for work. Usually I stay at the RadissonSAS which is the newest 4-star hotel but now that I know the Scandics are part of Hilton, I've tried staying there. Usually, the Palace is a little too expensive for my work budget but the St. Barbara isn't (although it's usually not available on the weekend.. it's booked). You should receive a voucher for probably about 150-175 EEK that should cover meals. As far as upgrades, I'm not sure that there's a lot to upgrade to. The hotel is kinda small. It's also located on a main square at the edge of the old city and it can be a bit noisy.

Enjoy Tallinn.. it's a great place.. although much better in the summer. the sun's setting at about 3:30 PM now.

Thanks for the heads up. I will write a mini report after I complete my stay.

Hotel Palace is definetly best property Scandic has in Tallinn. You will be staying right in the middle of the city and old-town is just accross the Vabaduse Square.
Many pubs, cafes and nightclubs are within immediate reach. Examples:
50 m Baieri Kelder http://www.ehrl.ee/restaurants/restaurant_baieri_kelder.shtml (restaurant, proper heavy german food and nothing special)
-60m: Võitlev Sõna (Pärnu mnt 28, cafe and night-club; interior, music and people are somewhat "metallic". Used to be popular 3 years ago)
70 m: Moskva http://www.moskva.ee (cafe, restaurant, night club - intelligent vibes, probably trendy)
90m: Gloria, http://gloria.gourmet.ee/welcome/index.html -- up-scale restaurant, also biggest wine cellar in the area
100 m: Club Hollywood http://www.club-hollywood.ee (nightclub - very big and very mainstream in weekdays, may be much more interesting in weekends)
110 m: Kaheksa, small lounge below Club Hollywood. Innovative menu, less mainstream.
125 m: Nimega Bar (The Bar with Name)
http://www.jjj-bars.com/eng/NimegaBaar/menyy.php
lot of beer and billiards in the cellar (at least so it used to be)
135 m: Nimeta Bar (The Bar Without No Name)
http://www.nimetabaar.ee/English.html - pub,
usually packed after midnight
200 m: Eeslitall http://www.eeslitall.ee/index.html - oldest restaurant in Tallinn (estabilished in 1326), also jazz-cafe and small bar. Used to be popular 10 years ago.
Weather in Tallinn has been horrible during last days; lot of sleet etc.

[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]

[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bluehen1:
Gaucho, I travel to Tallinn monthly for work. Usually I stay at the RadissonSAS which is the newest 4-star hotel but now that I know the Scandics are part of Hilton, I've tried staying there. Usually, the Palace is a little too expensive for my work budget but the St. Barbara isn't (although it's usually not available on the weekend.. it's booked). /---/ As far as upgrades, I'm not sure that there's a lot to upgrade to. The hotel is kinda small.
</font>
Scandic Palace has 5 suites (3900 EEK/249 EUR per night). Rack-rate for standard single room is 2200 EEK / 140 EUR per night.
However you can buy package which includes Silja Line round-trip ship transport from Helsinki to Tallinn and 1 night accomodation in Scandic Palace for 78 EUR (price pp if 2 persons traveling together, extra fee for single room). Extra nights in Scandic Hotel Palace are 34 EUR for single room and 49 EUR for double room. Unfortunately you actually have to start from Helsinki as hotel voucher will be printed out in harbour terminal. http://silja.teliafi.net/fin/1/3/6/1_1.html

[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]


[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
I guess communications inside Hilton are a little slow... I had to call the Diamond Desk 3 times today until I found someone that acknowledged that Hilton had properties in Tallinn, Estonia.
</font>
If you have any furter questions I reccomend calling directly to Hilton Reservations Worldwide in Tallinn (6801100 or +372 6801100). They definetly know their hotels, altough general Hhonors related expertise may be little bit brittle.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:

Any tips/advice would be greatly appreciated. </font>

If you find Tallinn boring (hopefully not http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ), then you can do following daytrips:
Tartu - http://www.tartu.ee/?lang_id=2 small university town with hidden charm, located ca 180 km southeast from Tallinn, bus tickets start from 50 EEK (ca 3,5 EUR) o/w.
Kärdla, capital of Hiiumaa ( http://www.hiiumaa.net/ ) island - RT plane ticket from Tallinn costs 360 EEK (ca 20 EUR), timetables can be found at http://www.airlivonia.ee/liinilennudK%E4rdla.htm
Kuressaare, capital of the Saaremaa island,
( http://www.saaremaa.ee/eng ), http://www.tallinn-airport.ee/planner/e_full_timetable.html?piir=parast_24
Helsinki, capital of Finland, day cruises with ship start from 530 EEK http://www.njl.ee/cgi-bin/timetable.cgi?lang=estonian or from 450 EEK http://www.silja.ee/graafikud/tal_hel_edasi_tagasi.html (http://www.silja.ee/graafikud/tal_hel_edasi_tagasi.html) Air-sea packages (in cooparation with Finnair/Aero Airlines) cost ~ 1500 EEK and can be and can be purchased from almost any travel agency ( http://www.ee/www/Business/Tourism,_Travel/Travel_Agency/welcome.html )

Hm, I really must have had lot of free time
today http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]



[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-22-2002).]

Come on fokker, how could you not suggest a side trip to that wonderful city of Kohtla-Jarve???

Of course, that's where I'll be for most of December...

Fokker, thanks a million for all your tips. Im going to have a busy schedule in Tallinn, but if you are available, perhaps we could meet up for a drink or something?

Also, regarding Helsinki, is there really enough time to go by boat on the same day..? I dont think flying would be that cool, but the boat ride sounds cool. I dont mind getting up early, just that I want to be back in town by around 1900hs for apres-work drinks and then dinner, etc.

Thanks again.

Also, I was looking at the website for the day trip to Helsinki... I cant seem to toggle the site for English. If someone can post a link I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Gaucho.. when looking at boat trips to Helsinki, I use http://www.webmarine.ee. It gives a list of all the boats and the times. The one thing to remember is that the fast boats don't run at this time of year and they also won't run if the seas are rough (I believe this is due to the Estonia ferry incident in the early 90's). There is also a helicopter that you can take called Copterline (http://www.copterline.com). Some of my coworkers have taken it over to Helsinki to stop in at the Estonian Embassy to get business visas.

I've done the ferry twice. It's really comfortable but I did it in summer when the fast ferries (1.5 hours) were running.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bluehen1:
/---/wonderful city of Kohtla-Jarve /---/ that's where I'll be for most of December... ??? </font>
Beuehen1, please accept my sympathy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Sincerely speaking, I have never been in Kohtla-Järve in my life, but I intend to visit when in the right mood for ashmountains http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Narva-Jõesuu, from the other hand, is claimed to be quite nice?
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Bluehen1:
/---/ fast boats don't run at this time of year and they also won't run if the seas are rough (I believe this is due to the Estonia ferry incident in the early 90's). </font>
Fast ferries are technically still running (some of them until 31 Dec according to schedule), but yes, they may cancel if seas are rough. Silja Line SuperSeaCat Four will sail if waves are less than 3,5...4 meters high - as they normally are - , Nordic Jet Line and Tallink Autoexpress fast ships depend more on the weather and Lindaline hydrofoils (smallest, although fastest) cancel even more often. Passengers are usually rebooked on boats, but you do not see much of Helsinki on such occasion as crossing on big boat takes 4 hours.
Links:
Silja Line: http://www.silja.com/english
Tallink http://www.tallink.ee/eng/
Nordic Jet Line: http://www-eng.njl.fi/
Lindaline: http://www.lindaline.fi
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:

Also, regarding Helsinki, is there really enough time to go by boat on the same day..? </font>
If you choose to go with Silja SuperSeaCat Four then you will depart from Tallinn 10.15 AM and arrive back to Tallinn 18.50. You have about 5 hours in Helsinki which is quite enough. Both Silja Line (and NJL and Lindaline) harbors are located in the city centers and immigration will take max 10...15 minutes (passenger loads are light so late in the autumn). Return ticket in First Class (separate cabin, drinks and meals included) will cost 1504 EEK (including -20% discount for round-trip purchase or 940 EEK return if min 2 persons traveling together.
Tallink Express return ticket to Helsinki will cost 399 EEK and timetables are:
from Tallinn: 09.50 - 11.30
from Helsinki 17.10 - 18.40
Their terminal in Helsinki is ca 3 km from city center.
Hermann Travel agency has office in Tallinn Airport and you can collect your boat tickets at arrival.
Phone: +372 605 8630
Fax: +372 605 8631
Working hours: Mo-Fr 6.30-21.30; Sa 6.30-14.30; Su 13.30-21.30
E-mail: airport@hermann.ee

Feel free to drop me an e-mail etc.



[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 11-24-2002).]

Thanks again, Fokker. Er... 4 meter high waves... I think not. Maybe I should fly instead...??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

Fast ships are safe and seas are usually calm. You will feel slight discomfort in worst case. Same day biz class tickets to Helsinki will cost 3200 EEK + tax (Finnair negotiated fare). Youth and STA tickets for ISIC card holders (http://www.bt.ee) are much cheaper.

Im wondering if I should bother to book a hotel car for pickup and transfer to the Scandic Palace in TLL. Ive never been to TLL, dont know Estonian... and I hear most taxi drivers dont speak good English. Will German be of help...? Also, a local friend tells me most of them will try to pull a fast one on a tourist and take him for a ride (taxis appear to be metered).

Does anybody have experiences with TLL taxis? I hear that a fair metered fare should run approx 100 Estonian whatevers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (sorry forgot what they have there, Crowns?).

Thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
Im wondering if I should bother to book a hotel car for pickup and transfer to the Scandic Palace in TLL. Ive never been to TLL, dont know Estonian... and I hear most taxi drivers dont speak good English. Will German be of help...? Also, a local friend tells me most of them will try to pull a fast one on a tourist and take him for a ride (taxis appear to be metered).

Does anybody have experiences with TLL taxis? I hear that a fair metered fare should run approx 100 Estonian whatevers http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif (sorry forgot what they have there, Crowns?).

Thanks.</font>


Caucho,
100 EEK (yes, those "whatevers" are, by the way, called crowns) is robbery. From airport to Scandic Palace hotel do not, repeate, do not pay more than 45...50 EEK.
minimum flat fee in Estonia is 35 whatevers, sorry, crowns (about 2,5 usd)
http://www.tulika.ee is is reccomended.
( http://www.tulikatakso.ee/index.php?&DOMAIN=takso&LANG=eng )

answering your other questions:
German language will not help you. Maybe I should add that most taxi drivers do not speak at all (even in Estonian). They prefer to be silent.

And no taxi driver will get you to the ride. Why bother? Bad ones just take most optimal route and charge double fee (100 EEK).

fokker 50, quite frequent taxi traveller



[This message has been edited by fokker50 (edited 12-06-2002).]

Will be visiting friends in HEL. We'd like to go to TAL for the weekend. They've got 2 kids, ages 4 & 2, whom I've never met. Chances are they're well-behaved, but I still may need space.

I don't know anything about booking for a family and nothing about Northern European hotel standards. Website's room descriptions are not helpful. Specials (http://www.scandic-hotels.com/dispatch?ShowOfferDetailsEvent=&oid=11324164&formName=ShowOfferDetailsForm)

-- If I search with 2 adults & 2 kids, it says nothing's available and refers me to St. Barbara and v.v. Doing a search w/ no kids, I can book a King room. Do I just request a rollaway or two? Seems from what I've read here though, rooms are pretty small. Will they fit?

-- What are Scandic suites like? Is the bedroom seperate from the living area? Sofa bed?

-- Has anyone stayed in the 5-room Presidential Suite? Does it have 3 bedrooms?

Thanks for any info. :)

Will be visiting friends in HEL. We'd like to go to TAL for the weekend. They've got 2 kids, ages 4 & 2, whom I've never met. Chances are they're well-behaved, but I still may need space.
-- What are Scandic suites like? Is the bedroom seperate from the living area? Sofa bed?

-- Has anyone stayed in the 5-room Presidential Suite? Does it have 3 bedrooms?

Thanks for any info. :)

Stayed this summer there in connecting rooms, top floor penthouse type. Nice, renowed bathrooms, aircondition.

No cityview since only skylight window.

Suites might be nice, but paying with points had no success.

Regards

TV

We had what I believe was a standard room and there was plenty of space for a rollaway. Our room by European standards was quite large.

Thank you both for your replies. I think booking 2 connecting rooms will work out fine.

Anyone else have any experiences here?

I was there last month on points and was upgraded to what I think the receptionist called a "deluxe room". The room was the size of two normal U.S.-sized rooms with a massive rectangular window spanning almost the entire length of the room. It had a view of the Old City, as well as the church across the street. The bed was on one side of the room, and there was a sofa and two chairs near the TV on the other side, leaving this large gap in the middle of the room. You could fit several rollaways there.

As a previous poster mentioned, the bathrooms are newly remodeled. However, the bathroom contains a standalone bathtub, so when you take a shower, water gets splashed on the floor and flows to a drain near the sink. The floor can get a bit wet if you're not careful.

The location of the hotel is great. It's just a short walk to the Old City and seems to be in a fairly safe area. I was still a bit jet-lagged and went running around the Old City twice at 4am and felt completely safe. Since it was in the middle of summer, it was also fairly bright at that hour.

The hotel offered a decent buffet breakfast. There are also two computers in the basement that you can use for free to access the Internet. A great value for only 10K Hilton points!

I really liked this hotel. I stayed on an award stay as a diamond, and got a very large room with a view of the city. The room was not a suite, but it was huge; seemed like a ballroom. I highly recommend the restaurant in the hotel near the lobby. It was great. Had one of the best tunafish sandwiches in my life there, although it may not have been tuna if memory serves me correctly, it may have been smoked trout, but it tasted like an awesome tuna sandwich. Breakfast was quite good here too.

I read somewhere that this is the nicest hotel in the city. I have no idea if that is true or not. The Rolling Stones stayed here when they were in town. If it's good enough for Mick & Keith, it's ok by me.

The Scandic Palace is the better of the two Scandics in Tallinn, but the other one, the St. Barbara is not bad either. The St. Barbara has a cool bar in the basement that is worth a look-see.

Have a great trip; Tallinn is fabulous. I'm jealous; wish I was there now.

Two more replies! Great info. Thank you both. I am really looking forward to my visit. October seems so far away.

Don't know if anyone will know the answer, but...

If I book one room w/ points and pay for the other, will I get credit for both? I've read in the T&Cs and other threads credit is allowed on 2 rooms per stay on one folio. I imagine a reward stay and a revenue one would not be on the same folio. What to do? Unfortunately, making Diamond in November hinges on this.

*deleted*

Hi,

I will be staying at the Scandic Palace from 2nd to 4th July 2007 ( a side trip form Vienna- airfare was £89 on Estonian Airlines) ( I tried for the 1st July but it was fully booked and so I booked the Radisson SAS hotel .

The flexible rate at the Scandic was EUR100 per night.

I will post a trip report when I return on the 8th July

Regards

TBS

Since no one answered the question re: the Presidential Suite, here you go.

According to the Diamond desk, it has three bedrooms with two double beds each, each with its own bathroom. There's a kitchen, a conference room, a living room area. And it's right off the old city, so perfect for late arrival and even later return. :)



Timothy

I have tried that Suite but rooms are following:
- Bedroom with walk in closet (which smells bad)
- Work/study/library-room
- Living room with flat screen TV
- Conference room with big table
- Kitchen
- 2 bathrooms
There is a connecting door to next room that will add bedrooms but I don't know what kind of room that is.

So there is only one king size bed in Presidential Suite.

So there is only one king size bed in Presidential Suite.

Yes... the Diamond Desk lied to me. Eventually the hotel wrote me back and clarified exactly what you said... however, you can ADD the adjoining rooms to the Presidential Suite and get the three bedroom configuration I originally thought I was getting at the same price.

However, €224 for the Presidential Suite sounds fun. We ended up just getting three separate rooms, if only to get these friends to HH Gold status faster. I'll make ho's of them yet!

Timothy

hi,

I have just left the Scandic and will post a report when I return to the Uk.
Rooms are ok ( if you like green-green wallpaper and green bed spreads hich makes the room dark)
No A/C in the room and the tempreature got up to 27c ( it has been hot here in Estonia over the past few days) . The windows do open but since you are facing two busy streets you cannot keep the windows open at night unless you happen ot be a very heavy sleeper.

Dinner service was slow.

Overall the Radisson SAS is a better hotel.

Regards

TBS