That's Hilton Kalastajatorppa neighborhood. A very civilized area!

Can anyone recommend a "hip" self-serve laundromat anywhere within walking distance of the Hilton Strand? At the end of a four-day stay, we would like to wash our clothes before heading to the Baltics

We don't have a real laundromat culture in Helsinki so I cannot say anything about hip. But a decent place close to your hotel is Kallion itsepalvelupesula (Kallio self-service laundry) at Toinen linja 15 (Corner of Toinen linja and Suonionkatu, entry from the inner courtyard).

A map link is here.

It should open at 8 am Monday thru Saturday. Open until 5 pm or 7 pm on weekdays, 2 pm on Sat.

Cheers,
T.

Then there�s this one not too far either. A 10 minute walk. We don�t really do laundromats as most people prefer their own machines or the apartment building have a communal one.

http://www.pesulavic.fi/

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.051455&z=15

Then there�s always the option to do a real Helsinki thing and go wash your clothes by the sea, where many locals will be washing carpets if the weather is nice.

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...each-BR-1.html

There�s one place not far from Hilton Strand at Tervasaari. Do not go to S�rn�siten Rantatie as it�s not a nice scenery.

Map here:

http://www.hel.fi/palvelukartta/?l=1...91&pid=0&kml=1

Eurohostel on Linnankatu (Tram #4) has coin-operated washers. I'm sure they will let you use the machines even if you are not staying there.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I am being tempted by Finnair to do JFK - HEL - DEL and back. On the return, I would be able to spend 23 hours in Helsinki. This would be in December.

(1) recommendations for such a short stay (sightseeing)?
(2) will it be too cold to enjoy the city?
(3) recommendations for a hotel (not too expensive)?

Thanks!!!!!!

During the summer Suomenlinna / Sveaborg and/or the sea cruises would be nice, but not in December. Stroll around the town if it's your first time, check church / museum / galleries etc. depending on your interests. All the xmas buzz is at full speed in December, there are some concerts (usually in churches) that your day might match.

Nope, usually the cold front hits in January when it can go down to -20..-25 C for a week or two.

December weather can be a hit or miss, hopefully there's snow because it makes everything so much better. Anyway, unlike some other countries we keep the outside and inside temperatures separate

Depends on your budget but Klaus K and Hotel Glo are good value for their style (design) and location.

The upscale hotels in Helsinki are pretty decently priced, even at Hotel K�mp you can book a room for December for 216 �.

I spent 7 days in Hel a couple months ago. Did lots of the things listed here, but also one not covered - a day trip to Fiskars. You can do it either via a train/bus combo or all bus. I picked the combo as I like trains.

Fiskars is the home of those orange handled scissors we all have somewhere in the house. They don't actually make them there any more, but the town has done a wonderful job on preserving the history. Very sweet, charming, interesting place.

Thinking of my own 23-hour layover experience a year ago in August 2009:

(1) recommendations for such a short stay (sightseeing)?

Definitely take #615 city bus. Buy a 24-hour regional ticket for 12 Euros and use it all day. It will be dark by the time you arrive at your hotel. I suggest taking it easy on that first evening. Have a meal in the hotel, in the harbor or in Lasipalatsi.

There are several options the following day: with your 24-hour ticket, take #3 tram or any the trams. Think of it as your hop-on, hop-out transport. Or you can walk in the harbor and have a pre-lunch meal there. Or go to Stockman's and buy your lunch in the food hall down in the basement. Be sure you board the #615 bus back to the airport by noon so you make it to the 2 pm flight to JFK.

(2) will it be too cold to enjoy the city?

You know the saying: there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Dress appropriately and warmly and you'll have a heck of a time.

(3) recommendations for a hotel (not too expensive)?

I stayed at Radisson Blu Plaza, a short walk from Central Train Station, where you can catch the #631 bus to the airport. Since my first visit, I've also stayed at Cumulus Hakaniemi and next week at Holiday Inn in Pasilla. Helsinki hotels are not cheap and, as a rule of thumb, weekdays are more expensive than weekends.

Unfortunately, in December it will be dark most of the time. The OP doesn't say when in December, so let's just pick the 15th: sunrise 9:18 a.m., sunset 3:12 p.m. On the positive side, the Christmas lights should be in full bloom, which helps a lot. And if he's very lucky, there might even be a little snow on the ground, which also tends to brighten things up a bit.

cheers,

Henry

There is no bus #631. I think you mean #615, that's the airport bus.

As for what to do in December, there's usually a Christmas market on Esplanadi, and another (indoor) one at the Vanha Ylioppilastalo. Lots of artisans selling their wares.

Silly me! Thanks for the correction. After all, we don't want the poor fellow to wait for the wrong bus in the dead of winter.

All this talk about Helsinki gives me the craving for a Finnish yogurt!

thanks to all for the lovely recommendations. I think i will do a 2 day trip, rather than 1 day trip. I've never been to that part of the world before. It will be December 2 - 4 if anyone is around and wants to grab a cocktail