Helsinki offers a diverse range of comfortable, high-quality and distinctive hotels, many of which provide excellent levels of accessibility. The types of equipment in the accessible rooms and the height of the beds, for example, may vary, so it is a good idea to make sure the hotel suits your specific needs before your visit. Here are my favourite hotels in Helsinki that I have visited in my electric wheelchair.
Scandic Grand Central Helsinki
Located next to Helsinki Central Station, the unique Scandic Grand Central is a real gem in many ways. The old Art Nouveau building has been refurbished into an atmospheric hotel with almost 500 rooms, respecting the old but with great attention paid to accessibility. The accessible entrance to the hotel is via the courtyard or through the restaurant next to the main entrance – just follow the signs. A section of the reception desk is lowered. The hotel has 37 accessible rooms, both Standard and Superior. The accessible rooms come in different shapes and sizes, but all have electrically adjustable beds in addition to basic facilities. The bathroom has wall-mounted handrails on both sides of the toilet seat and a wall-mounted shower seat. Some rooms have an electronic door opening system for easy access. Some rooms can be joined to a neighbouring room by a connecting door. The public spaces in the hotel, with the exception of the saunas, are also accessible. Should you decide to leave the comfort of the hotel, the whole lively city opens up around you!
Vilhonkatu 13, Kluuvi
Lapland Hotels Bulevardi
The first thing that comes to mind as soon as you enter Lapland Hotel Bulevardi is peace. The atmospheric hotel offers excellent service and brings to Helsinki the tales and mysticism of northern Finland. Lapland is very much present not only in the interior and milieu, but also in the delicious dishes served in the hotel restaurant for breakfast and dinner. The hotel has two accessible Northern Comfort rooms with twin beds that are higher than normal due to their thick mattresses. The bathroom has wall-mounted handrails on both sides of the toilet seat and a wall-mounted shower seat. The hotel’s public spaces are accessible with the exception of the saunas. Within a one-kilometre radius of the hotel, you can enjoy many of the city’s accessible services.
Bulevardi 28, Punavuori
Glo Hotel Kluuvi
Glo Hotel Kluuvi is a hotel known for its style and situated right in the heart of Helsinki in a prime location surrounded by all the city's attractions. The lifestyle hotel has five accessible Comfort rooms with plenty of space to move around with mobility aids. The bathroom has handrails attached to the toilet seat and a separate stool as a shower chair. The toilet seat is lower (40 cm) than in normally accessible rooms. The hotel’s public spaces and the trendy restaurant attached to the hotel are also accessible. However, please note that the elevator leading to the rooms is only 73 cm wide. At Glo Hotel Kluuvi you are always close to everything, making it easy to experience all the sights in Helsinki.
Kluuvikatu 4, Kluuvi
Marski by Scandic
Marski by Scandic is a vibrant, award-winning city hotel buzzing with life with a Finnish twist in the heart of Helsinki that has invested in accessibility. The hotel offers 15 unique accessible rooms in different room categories. The accessible rooms have electrically adjustable beds and a spacious bathroom with wall-mounted handrails on either side of the toilet seat and a separate shower chair with backrest and armrests. Some rooms also have a sofa bed. The public spaces in the hotel are fully accessible, and the saunas are also spacious. The hotel organises a weekly programme, and the restaurant serves Finnish cuisine in a modern style. A specialty of Marski by Scandic is the electric mobility scooter that guests in need can borrow.
Mannerheimintie 10, Kamppi
Hotelli Helka
Hotel Helka is situated close to the Kamppi shopping centre in a building dating back to the 1920s. The hotel has declared itself a discrimination-free zone and focuses on providing a welcoming guest experience. The hotel offers two spacious and comfortable accessible rooms priced according to the Smart room category. The stylish accessible rooms have twin beds and a spacious bathroom with wall-mounted handrails on either side of the toilet seat and a wall-mounted shower seat. The old building does pose some challenges to accessibility, however. The depth of the elevator may be too short, for example, for those who use an electric mobility scooters, and the ramp leading to the breakfast room is steeper than required by accessibility standards. Ask for more details before your visit. On the plus side, the bar connected to the hotel lobby is a cosy meeting place, and all the city’s services are close by.
Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23, Etu-Töölö
The Folks Hotel Konepaja
The Folks Hotel Konepaja is an inspiring urban hotel outside the city centre but close to cultural services and experiences. The hotel is very suitable for a wide range of travellers, including families. It has an excellent restaurant, but there is also a free kitchen where guests can prepare their own snacks. Even a washing machine is available to guests to facilitate longer stays. The accessible entrance to the hotel is from the side of the building, next to the restaurant. There is a lowered counter at reception. The hotel has seven accessible rooms in the Standard Plus, Superior and Loft categories. Extra beds are available in some rooms. Accessible Loft rooms have a double bed, while other accessible rooms have a double bed and twin beds if required. The height of the beds varies by room type. The bathrooms in the accessible rooms are spacious and have handrails on both sides of the toilet seat. A separate shower chair with armrests and backrest is available on request. The hotel's public spaces are accessible. The saunas (traditional and steam saunas) with their changing rooms and washrooms are very spacious and accessible, as is the gym. In summer, the rooftop terrace is ideal for socialising and can be reached most of the way by lift and the rest of the way by escalator.
Aleksis Kiven katu 23, Vallila
Original Sokos Hotel Tripla
Original Sokos Hotel Tripla is located in the Mall of Tripla, the largest shopping centre in the Nordic countries. In addition to all its shops, the Mall of Tripla houses a huge number of restaurants, a cinema and Surf House Helsinki, where you can enjoy the warmth of summer all year round. Pasila railway station is also next door, and you can access the platforms from indoors. Train services operate to Helsinki Central Station, Helsinki Airport and the rest of Finland. Just a short distance away is Messukeskus, the largest and most versatile event venue in Finland. The hotel is suitable for a wide range of accessible holidays and offers 12 Standard Twin accessible rooms. The tall windows offer great views over Helsinki. The rooms have electrically adjustable beds and can be joined to an adjoining Standard room through a connecting door. Accessible rooms have two types of bathrooms; five rooms have stronger accessibility aids than the other seven. All bathrooms have wall-mounted support rails on both sides of the toilet seat. Contact the hotel for more information. The hotel’s public spaces are all easily accessible, and the large breakfast room is easy to move around in.
Fredrikanterassi 1 B, Pasila
Hotel Indigo Helsinki - Boulevard
This small boutique hotel is located on Bulevardi, close to the city’s attractions. Hotel Indigo prides itself on good customer service and simplicity. The hotel has only one accessible room. Like the rest of the hotel, this room is particularly spacious and modern, with two electrically adjustable beds. A connecting door to the adjoining room adds space and allows an assistant or even a larger party to stay with you. The bathroom offers plenty of space, wall-mounted handrails on either side of the toilet seat, a wall-mounted shower seat and several handrails. The hotel's public spaces are accessible. In the sauna facilities, the traditional sauna is not accessible, but the small steam sauna is easier to access. Hotel Indigo is small and unfamiliar to many but definitely worth discovering.
Bulevardi 26, Punavuori
Scandic Park Helsinki
Scandic Park Helsinki is situated next to the beautiful Töölönlahti bay, just over a kilometre from the city centre. The hotel is also an excellent choice for visitors to the Finlandia Hall, Helsinki Music Centre, Finnish National Opera or the Olympic Stadium. Scandic Park Helsinki is popular among many organisers of accessible events, as the spacious meeting and restaurant facilities make it possible to host even larger accessible events. The hotel has 24 accessible Standard rooms with twin electrically adjustable beds, and some have a connecting door to the adjoining room. The bathrooms have wall-mounted handrails on both sides of the toilet seat and a wall-mounted shower seat with armrests. Guests can also borrow a mobile lifting device, which is also available at the Scandic Simonkenttä hotel in the city centre.
Mannerheimintie 46, Töölö