Andaman

Those who prefer a different style, Kamp's sister hotel GLO has got good reviews as well. GLO the "modern and urban lifestyle hotel" can be found in the same block.

http://www.palacekamp.fi/in_english/hotels/hotel_glo/

CPwingwalker

I posted over at the Plat upgrade "worst" forum a recent experience at Kamp. The rooms manager even followed up with an email after I dumped all over them in the post stay survey. She continued to underline how they will only upgrade plats one "category" not to suite. Then contradicted herself and said of course they will upgrade me to a suite on my next stay.
I have contacted CCS about this.

skrosvik

Unfortunately, ALL suites at the Kämp are considered to be speciality suites

So, actually, the hotel is in it's very right to refuse any upgrade to such suite, as per the SPG T&C.

All we platinums can hope for is to be "upgraded" from a deluxe room to an executive room...

Starwood Lurker

Not by SPG they aren't. They sell standard suites under the SPG6SU rate plan and that is about as standard as it gets.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

ironmanjt

I'm 6/6 at the Kamp, so I'm not so sure about this....all to suites, different times of year....all without asking as well.

skrosvik

Well, Starwood CSC told me the opposite!

I asked about this policy when staying at the Kämp earlier this year, and this was the reply I got from them:

"At The Hotel Kamp, Helsinki they only have a limited number of room types to which they can upgrade a member into. They have Deluxe rooms, Executive rooms and all of their Suites are Specialty Suites. Therefore, upgrades to Suites would not be possible at this hotel. There, if available, Platinum members will receive an upgrade to either an Executive room with a better view or a Deluxe room with a better view. There are no other options for upgrades.

Please feel free to let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Best Regards,

XXXXX XXXXXX
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide"

Maybe when Starwood start agreeing internally on their own policies we might see some real upgrades at this property

Starwood Lurker

Hmmm. It would seem that ironmanjt is 6/6 on suite upgrades at this property...without having to ask...so, my apologies if you were misinformed, but a clueless CSR really has no bearing on anyone else's outcome.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

skrosvik

In that case someone should lecture both CSC and the staff at Kämp that platinum members are entitled to suite upgrades at this hotel, when available.

Many of us have been refused suites at this hotel, even though they were available (junior suites - lowest suite category). They have used the speciality suite excuse for quite some time now.

Starwood Lurker

I would be glad to take this up with the SPG Hotel Coordinators, as usual, once a file has been opened by Corporate Customer Service and the hotel has responded to it. Feel free to send me the file number when they do if the response seems lacking.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Online Guest Feedback Coordinator
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

skrosvik

THANKS

Otherwise, a great hotel! Easily one of the better hotels in Scandinavia ^

holtju2

They are still in non compliance when it comes to the PLT upgrades.

Their normal PLT upgrade is to an "executive room" which is by no mean a "select standard suite". According to the SPG Concierge the select standard suite at this property is Junior Suite with a park view.

You probably need to have a SPG PLT benefits training when checking in or get a PLT "concierge" to intervene on your behalf once they have checked you in to the executive room. They do upgrade you after you go through this but it is not a nice way to start a stay, however.

It is just sad that the SPG doesn't properly train/enforce properties like Kamp when it comes to the published program benefits to PLT's.

nonesuch flyer

Getting past the uncertainty over suite upgrades I would like some advice about this hotel.

I have a booking coming up...

Any advice on eating... hotel restaurant versus nearby restaurants?

Any thing interesting to do in the area around the hotel for an afternoon?

Suggestions gratefully revieved.

vulle

Kämp has two restaurants, Kämp Cafe and Yume. Kämp Cafe is quite nice in a continental bistro style, but the Japanese restaurant Yume is nothing special, slow service and highly priced.

There are many better options nearby. Helsinki's best restaurant is http://chezdominique.fi/ with two Michelin stars, very upscale with excellent lunches. My Michelin-favorites are http://www.postres.fi/ and http://www.restaurantdemo.fi/ , both have one star. Postres is a bit fancier of these two, about 2-3 minute walk from Kämp. Demo is a bit more relaxed and it's also less than 10 minutes from hotel.

For something more down-to-earth I'd recommend http://www.palacekamp.fi/in_english/...ts/fishmarket/ with excellent fish and http://www.carelia.info/ , an excellent bistro with a fantastic and affordable wine list. Carelia is about 10 minute tram ride from Kämp.

Activities then, if the weather is good I'd recommend a trip to Suomenlinna fortress island for example. Otherwise take a tram ride on 3T or 3B, ride is a circle of eight so you can start/stop by Kämp. This tram stops by Carelia too for dinner after the circle ride for example. A walk round Töölö bay is also nice, good way to get to Carelia too!

Districts of Hakaniemi and Kallio are also bit more down-to-earth with a lot of students. You can also visit Helsinki's best food market in Hakaniemi, http://www.hakaniemenkauppahalli.fi/...alli_flyer.pdf

Lot's to do in Helsinki!

nonesuch flyer

Thank you very much Vulle.... this is great information.

The restaurants sound fantastic! I am looking forward to my trip.

vulle

No problem! Forgot to mention another favorite in Helsinki, http://chefetsommelier.fi/ . This is a cozy small restaurant with big aspirations, also by tram route 3B/3T. Otherwise a 20 minute walk from Kämp.

You should stay for a bit longer in Helsinki to try all these restaurants