Crowne Plaza Helsinki Hesperia

What is your Priority Club status?
Diamond Ambassador

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
The hotel is located close to Helsinki Opera. The train station is ten minutes to walk or a short ride with tram #2 to “Ooppera” station. Mannheimintie is currently under construction and the hotel is not accessible by car from it. One has to access it via Töölönkatu and Kivelänkatu. The tram is also rerouted, but the aforementioned station is accessible.

The hotel has 9 floors. It is curved along the front of the hotel facing Mannheimintie. You enter the hotel and step into the quite large lobby. The check in desk is a few steps into the lobby to the left. The front is seating area and bar followed by the restaurant, where in the morning breakfast is served.
The elevators are to the left of the check in area.
In the basement is a rather large gym with pool and (gender) separated sauna with locker rooms. The gym is also open to the public. Guest of the hotel could use is free of charge. It is open Monday to Friday from 06:30 till 22:00, Saturday from 08:30 to 21:00 and Sunday from 08:30 to 20:00. Towels are provided by the staff at the desk of the gym
The Lounge is on the top floor of the hotel.

I arrived at the hotel at 23:40 by a Sixt Ride from the airport. I was the only guest checking in and there was no wait. A couple of guests were at the bar and sitting in the lobby, but other than that it was not very busy.

I was welcomed to the hotels and asked for ID. She mentioned that I had been upgraded from my booked King Standard Room to a Junior Suite. The agent asked for my choice of amenity and asked if I like points, drink voucher or breakfast. She recommended the later highlighting it would have a value of 31 EUR per day and person. She confirmed that I could make of the lounge with my lounge pass. Asked, she explained that a small breakfast would be available in the lounge. But breakfast would have a larger selection. It would also be served till 10:00 while in the lounge only to 09:30. I received a small leaflet with the opening times of restaurants, gym & pool as well as lounge.

The hotel was renovated; the design of the public areas is using a contemporary modern design with dark colour.

Breakfast is served as buffet. The restaurant has several areas, which were not all available for seating during my visit. Service was slow and especially one female member of staff not overly friendly. Service was also not very attentive. It took some time before I was asked if like to have tea or coffee. It was slightly better on the second day, when I was an hour earlier.
The offering on the buffet were fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, and bread in addition to cheese and jam. Hot items were potatoes, scrambled eggs, mushroom, bacon and pork sausages. Vegetarian and vegan options were also available. Water and juices were provided by a dispenser. Smoothies were also available. The Mango Smoothie however was never refilled during the visit in over an hour, while other offerings were restocked. At least, the empty carafe could have been removed, instead if remained on the buffet. Same appeared for some offering on the fruit section.
Egg dished could be ordered.
In general, I think, that the buffet is not restocked from 09:00 or later …. I am not sure, if I would have paid 31 EUR for it. And if you are satisfied with a small breakfast and have lounge pass, the breakfast provided there might be sufficient.

The gym was busy during my visits, but it was never a problem to get a free machine. The pool (app. 15 m x 8 m) was empty during my visits.

Staff at the check in desk were okay and friendly. I was not addressed by name though.


Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked Standard room and received a Junior Suite.
I went with the slightly higher priced Standard Room instead of the also available Single Bed Room.


How are the rooms?
My room was located on the eight floor. I had booked a standard room with cash and was upgraded to a Junior Suite the day before my arrival.

After stepping into the room the bathroom was to the right. Power had to be turned on by the usual keycard switch.
The bathroom was quite large with bath, two bath-sink with more than sufficient place to store items. Shampoo, bath foam, conditioner and lotion were wall mounted larger bottles. Towels (two large ones, two medium sized and two small one) were available. slippers and bathrobes were also provided. The Bathroom mirror was not heated. There was a wall mounted hairdryer and also a second one placed at the left sink in the shelf.
The divider at the bath was too small avoiding water dripping on the floor. And the wet floor was quite slippery. The bathroom also showed its age. I would have preferred a shower.

There was no real hallway. One was right in the room. A closet which also featured iron, ironing board, and safe were to the left. More than enough space to store clothes for a longer trip.

The room had a large king size bed on the right side along with two bedside table with lamps and additional reading lamps. Power outlets were also available.
Next to the bed was the small desk with also had built in USB outlets.
The Flat TV was opposite the bed facing also the seating area with sofa and table.
A kettle and Nespresso machine was available; capsules were not restocked during the service. Two small water bottles were available. This one was restocked during housekeeping. A minibar was available.

The room was facing the rear of the hotel and the adjacend Scandic Hotel. The window was partly blocked by part of the building. It was okay, as this was an upgrade and I did not expect the best room. It was also in my opinion a slighty larger room. But this depends on the definition of Junior Suite. My non-suite room at the voco Dubai was of the same size for example.

The area before the window was damaged and some of the wooden panels loose. This aside, the room was in good condition, the design okay and kind of contemporary.


How is the exec. lounge?

It is not very large with seats, a sofa and a number of armchairs. Basic in regard to design.

The lounge is open from 06:30 to 22:00 all days. A small breakfast is available weekdays from 06:30 to 09:30 and on weekend from 08:00 to 11:00. It consists of scrambled eggs, bread and rolls a small selection of salami, ham and cheese as well as yoghurt and fruits. In the afternoon small plates of cake and cookies are available. The evening reception is between 18:00 and 20:00 with changing dishes. There was no wam option but two different salads, sandwiches, olives, cakes (from the afternoon tea). Beer and a white and red wine were available with s small selection of spirits.
A fridge with soft drinks and coffee is available during the day.

It was busy, but not overcrowded given the size of the hotel and of the lounge and also the fact, that the hotel is selling club rooms with benefits. It was possible to find a seat / chair without need to wait.
The offerings are more basic. The wine was not of highest quality, but drinkable. There is no lounge agent available. Several guests picked cans of beer and soft drinks and brought them to their room.


What was good and what was bad?

Good

location is well connected to public transportation and roads.
Upgrade to Junior Suite
Room is good sized
Size of Pool and gym.

Neutral

Breakfast Buffet (come early)
Lounge offerings and size

Bad

Bath glass panel it too short
Friendliness of staff at breakfast


Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
The location is good. The rooms are of a good size, though a bit dark. Rooms seems to be in good condition and to offer real desk. The lounge offerings are limited, but kind of okayish (do not expect warm food).
I paid for an advanced purchase rate booked six days prior to the trip 132 EUR / night. Single room would have been 123 EUR. The best flexible rate for the stay would have been 161 EUR / night. In comparions, my Business Rate at the Hilton The Strand would have been 174 EUR fully flexible.

In so far, I would return, if the rates are affordable. To me, having a pool and gym and the club lounge were the major factors. Especially, as the CP was also the cheapest option of the downtown Helsinki IHG family hotels.


Sorry for the quality, the video was made along with some videos for instagram in the lounge at the airport .

Pictures are in the Master Thread of this property.