Scandic Grand Central puts you inside one of Helsinki’s great buildings. The hotel occupies part of Eliel Saarinen’s Art Nouveau railway station at Vilhonkatu 13, combining the original wing, with thick walls and paned windows, and a newer part with floor-to-ceiling glass. There are nearly 500 air-conditioned rooms, from standard doubles to family rooms and suites. Brasserie Grand serves breakfast daily and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and Bar G mixes cocktails on the same nights. There is a gym open around the clock, a gender-separated sauna in the evenings, bikes to borrow and an outdoor terrace. The Ateneum and Oodi are a few minutes on foot, and the airport train leaves from the platforms next door.
Living in it: you can roll your suitcase from the airport train to reception without crossing a road, which is a gift in winter. Ask for a room in the historic wing for character, or the new wing for light and views.
Trade-offs: it is a big, busy hotel with conference traffic, and the station area is lively rather than charming. The restaurant and bar close on Sundays and Mondays.
Why stay here
- ✓Eliel Saarinen railway station building
- ✓Brasserie Grand restaurant
- ✓Bar G cocktail bar
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Evening sauna
- ✓Bikes to borrow
- ✓Family rooms
- ✓Nordic Swan Ecolabel
Good questions
Is Scandic Grand Central at the railway station?+
Yes, it occupies part of the Helsinki Central station complex at Vilhonkatu 13, beside the platforms.
Does the hotel have a sauna?+
Yes, a gender-separated sauna is open in the evenings, and the gym is open around the clock.
Is there parking?+
The P-Eliel garage is about 200 metres away.
