Another poster said that the Scandic awards are all 10,000 points per night because that is what they were before being acquired by Hilton. It seems like an incredible deal to me, compared to the redemption level required for Hiltons on the same trip (25,000 points/night at the Gatwick Hilton, for example).

Here is the 800 number for award redemption: [1] 800-446-6677

Haven't got a clue as to the best Scandic in Helsinki - although an FTer who has worked there the past two years did recommend the Simonketta (He also said Hotel Kamp is the best in town - I don't believe that is a Scandic property.)