<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SanDiego1K:
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.)</font>
Umm the Marski is a pretty ordinary hotel and none of us wanted to stay there.
If you want to be in the very centre then by all means but watch out on the rooms facing front as the trams start early in the morning and are very noisy.
Don't expect HVAC except for an opening window - see above re noise.
Same applies to the Continental at Mannerheimintie 45, except there are some very nice rooms in the newer wing (can be difficult to get if you are not prepared to pay a fee towards upgrade).
The Simonkenttä is a very recently built hotel to very high standards with effective HVAC and sound proofing. The popularity of it rather confirms that in the brand this can be one of the best to stay at in the centre of Helsinki. Only downside is it's very Nordic in it's design and you need to like Ikea designs!
For a quiet stay, on the inland sea, with wonderful views many like the Kalastajatorppa which has had some rooms (the sea facing exec ones I think) refurbished last year. Although some way out of town it does have tennis courts and other leisure facilities plus a bit of a beach.
The 'oddity' on HHonors redemption is one to take advantage of and is due to the Scandic branded hotels all being classified as being the same .. when of course they are not.