Crowne Plaza Helsinki Hesperia (Master Thread)
Jun 6, 2011, 3:45 pm
#61
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,041
Jun 10, 2011, 1:55 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
Jun 27, 2011, 8:44 am
#63
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Tonbridge
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 2,034
Had a good weekend in Helsinki.
Check in was a little slow, but the lady was a trainee. No upgrade from the Club Junior Suite that I had paid for although larger suites were available . I was not happy and pressed, to no avail. No effort made to do anything else. I might raise with the PriorityClub.
The Club Junior suite was not large, but pleasant enough on the 9th floor and near the Club Lounge. Whilst in no way as good as an ICH Club Lounge, it was pleasant enough with nibbles in the evening (6-8pm)and wine/beer seemingly available all day. Sparse breakfast - fruit, pasteries, cereal, yogurt and cold meat/cheese.
Restaurant was good - nice food (Finnish and Mediterranean). Some dishes were about EUR3 or so cheaper if you showed your Priority Club card.
Impressive gym and nice sized pool.
15 minutes walk to the city centre. Holiday Inn better located but did not look quite as smart.
I would return despite the lack of upgrade.
Check in was a little slow, but the lady was a trainee. No upgrade from the Club Junior Suite that I had paid for although larger suites were available . I was not happy and pressed, to no avail. No effort made to do anything else. I might raise with the PriorityClub.
The Club Junior suite was not large, but pleasant enough on the 9th floor and near the Club Lounge. Whilst in no way as good as an ICH Club Lounge, it was pleasant enough with nibbles in the evening (6-8pm)and wine/beer seemingly available all day. Sparse breakfast - fruit, pasteries, cereal, yogurt and cold meat/cheese.
Restaurant was good - nice food (Finnish and Mediterranean). Some dishes were about EUR3 or so cheaper if you showed your Priority Club card.
Impressive gym and nice sized pool.
15 minutes walk to the city centre. Holiday Inn better located but did not look quite as smart.
I would return despite the lack of upgrade.
I wasn't too impressed with a restaurant for the price though, and also the breakfast in the club lounge didn't seem to appear while we were there
Oct 14, 2011, 2:41 pm
#64
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
Another visit to the CP Helsinki.
Upgraded to a Club Suite at check in without asking by the pleasant and helpful staff member. ^
A huge improvement on my last visit.
Disappointed with the bar food. Ordered burgers and watched them sit for 15 or so minutes in the kitchen, whilst the chef laughed and joked with his colleagues as they were no orders to cook. Arrived freezing cold. The duty manager apologised, but no service recovery. Will not be returning there.
Evening snacks in lounge were limited - two to three items - but good quality. Wine and other drinks replenished regularly.
Some friendly staff!
Another good visit. ^
The unhelpful duty manager was there when I checked out, but I managed to pay the bill with his colleague.
Upgraded to a Club Suite at check in without asking by the pleasant and helpful staff member. ^
A huge improvement on my last visit.Disappointed with the bar food. Ordered burgers and watched them sit for 15 or so minutes in the kitchen, whilst the chef laughed and joked with his colleagues as they were no orders to cook. Arrived freezing cold. The duty manager apologised, but no service recovery. Will not be returning there.
Evening snacks in lounge were limited - two to three items - but good quality. Wine and other drinks replenished regularly.
Some friendly staff!
Another good visit. ^
The unhelpful duty manager was there when I checked out, but I managed to pay the bill with his colleague.
Aug 26, 2012, 11:25 pm
#65
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
I returned to the CP Helsinki for a weekend.
The unhelpful manager at reception has been moved to other duties more fitting for his talents, which is a result for him and us.
No upgrade from Junior Suite, although it was comfortable.
Lounge food the same as before, but possibly better quality.
By Sunday afternoon, the fridge in the lounge was empty with no effort to top up.
The staff are sometimes slow to clean up in the morning, so the tables are all covered in dirty plates etc. When we asked a lady for a bowl, as theer were none, she said "oh, it will be a long time", which meant "no, I will not go and get any or wash some for you". We washed some bowls. Not great service.
One or two great staff members.
Had a fun weekend in Helsinki, so will return.
Be warned - it is hard to get on the bus to the airport from near the hotel as it is often full when it leaves the bus station by the train station. We got on there after previous years of hassles and missed buses.
The unhelpful manager at reception has been moved to other duties more fitting for his talents, which is a result for him and us.
No upgrade from Junior Suite, although it was comfortable.
Lounge food the same as before, but possibly better quality.
By Sunday afternoon, the fridge in the lounge was empty with no effort to top up.
The staff are sometimes slow to clean up in the morning, so the tables are all covered in dirty plates etc. When we asked a lady for a bowl, as theer were none, she said "oh, it will be a long time", which meant "no, I will not go and get any or wash some for you". We washed some bowls. Not great service.
One or two great staff members.
Had a fun weekend in Helsinki, so will return.
Be warned - it is hard to get on the bus to the airport from near the hotel as it is often full when it leaves the bus station by the train station. We got on there after previous years of hassles and missed buses.
Aug 23, 2013, 5:45 pm
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
How is hotel location for a first-time tourist visit? Also considering SPG Hotel Kamp but I will have a Chase cert to burn and apparently no IC options in Scandinavia.
Also curious about this as I see past reference to IC Helskinki - I surmise it was rebranded? Pity.
IIRC Helsinki used to have two ICs back in the early 90s. Always wondered how a city this small could sustain two high-end ICs. So are any of these current CPs or HIs former ICs? This is another of the few European cities that I still must get to in the next few years...
Aug 24, 2013, 4:35 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Ohio
Programs: Priority Club Plat
Posts: 396
Aug 24, 2013, 5:28 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
The Scandic Hotel (Inter)Continental next to Crowne Plaza (former Hesperia) used to be InterContinental before Hilton bought the Scandic chain (and later sold). The other InterContinental is now Hilton Helsinki Strand.
May 29, 2014, 12:21 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 98
I have an upcoming 2-night weekend trip, first time visiting Helsinki. I'm a Platinum and would assume a fairly reasonable chance at getting upgraded to Club Lounge access at the CP. Any recent experiences on upgrades for Platinums? I'm currently leaning toward staying at the HI city center due to the short trip for sightseeing. Prices are about the same, just tough to choose between Club access vs Location...
May 29, 2014, 1:33 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,601
If you choose to get to Helsinki from the airport by Finnair bus, it will stop along CP and finally at HI city centre, so both will do transport-wise.
CP is not that far from HI either, and it is well located as well depending what you like to see. I would prefer the CP neighborhood always, but if you go for shopping then HI is better
CP is not that far from HI either, and it is well located as well depending what you like to see. I would prefer the CP neighborhood always, but if you go for shopping then HI is better
May 29, 2014, 6:16 pm
#72
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Senator, IHG RA
Posts: 3
Crowne Plaza, Helsinki
The club in CP Helsinki in really basic, very very limited BF and even more limited evening drinks. I am staying in this hotel every second week, always with club access and never bother to visit the club due the very limited offering. Location of CP is not bad, just few tram stops from city centre but I would stay in HI City Centre
Nov 29, 2014, 3:04 am
#73
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: HEL, SIN, LON
Posts: 120
I just checked out from this hotel after 1-night award stay. Had the company Xmas party nearby and did not want to queue for a late night taxi and this hotel was conveniently on the Pointbreaks list now (5000 points/nite).
Got upgraded to Junior Suite (I'm IHG Plat) but it was not in the Club floor (8th floor, club is 9th). So I inquired about club access during checkin and was told it's 20+ euros per person. My spouse got in later and we decided to get the club access after all (for evening drinks and quick breakfast) and went back to reception to get it. Was told "it'll be like 20 euros added to the bill". So the price went down from 40+ euros to 20 euros. Then finally in the checkout they did not bill us anything for the lounge access. Go figure
Beer and wine, no spirits and very limited food options during evening "snack hour" in the lounge. The lounge breakfast is not massive (continental) but quality is ok and the lounge is a peaceful place to eat compared to downstairs.
Junior suite is nice and big with good amenities. They asked which newspaper we'd like to have but then forgot to deliver it in the morning. Oh well.
What is interesting is that in Finland it seems that all Restel-run IHG properties have instructed the reception people give you points or a drink voucher even on award stays. So I was once again given 600 point voucher when checking in. So the stay cost me only 4400 points. To my understanding they are not supposed to give you points voucher on award stay?
The hotel seemed quite busy and there was a lot of Xmas party groups around. All and all a great stay for 4400 points!
Got upgraded to Junior Suite (I'm IHG Plat) but it was not in the Club floor (8th floor, club is 9th). So I inquired about club access during checkin and was told it's 20+ euros per person. My spouse got in later and we decided to get the club access after all (for evening drinks and quick breakfast) and went back to reception to get it. Was told "it'll be like 20 euros added to the bill". So the price went down from 40+ euros to 20 euros. Then finally in the checkout they did not bill us anything for the lounge access. Go figure
Beer and wine, no spirits and very limited food options during evening "snack hour" in the lounge. The lounge breakfast is not massive (continental) but quality is ok and the lounge is a peaceful place to eat compared to downstairs.
Junior suite is nice and big with good amenities. They asked which newspaper we'd like to have but then forgot to deliver it in the morning. Oh well.
What is interesting is that in Finland it seems that all Restel-run IHG properties have instructed the reception people give you points or a drink voucher even on award stays. So I was once again given 600 point voucher when checking in. So the stay cost me only 4400 points.
To my understanding they are not supposed to give you points voucher on award stay?The hotel seemed quite busy and there was a lot of Xmas party groups around. All and all a great stay for 4400 points!
Mar 15, 2017, 4:06 pm
#74
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NJ USA
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, MR TITANIUM 2M, HH DIA, Hyatt EXP, BW DIA, IC AMB, IHG PLAT, UA GLD
Posts: 1,086
Considering a stay very late May. Any recent hotel reviews particularly related to IHG Platinum status benefits and the merits of paying for Club room versus standard room (25e/night additional), and wifi quality. Thanks in advance.
Mar 16, 2017, 10:20 am
#75
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 6E Westbound, 4E Eastbound
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, Priority Club Plat since 1984
Posts: 6,293
Was there last winter, staying at the HI over the train station. You can get to almost every major site downtown walking from there. We got up early to walk over and watch the ferry come in at sunrise.