Palace Hotel, Helsinki

Location of Hotel was outstanding. View of the Harbor from the room and the balcony was most enjoyable. Staff was quick and attentive and provided all our needs. Room was large and airy, a pleasant change from our stays in several other European hotels. Interior market right across the street had a great selection and outdoor market was only about 300 meters away. Great shopping venues both. City trolley stops right outside the hotel. Scenic/historical sites and several fine restaurants within a few minutes walk. Highly recommend this hotel.

We arrived on the 3T/B tram from the station, and went the wrong direction so it took us 45 minutes to get there when it should have taken 5 minutes, so we were off to a bad start. However we were looking forward to the free buffet, as it was 8pm and the buffet was supposed to be until 8:30. When we reached the 9th floor where all the rooms, lounge and business area are, the buffet was eaten and only scraps left. So we called down to ask for it to be replenished. We were told something about the housekeeping being tied up somewhere else so the buffet would not be refilled. Once in our room I was shocked to see that we had a view of an office building. I had paid for a delux room, adding about $15 to the room price, thinking I will spoil us and get star treatment. Then when I asked the reception why we had no view she said the sea view rooms were even more expensive, and I could move for our second night if we added more money. There were no extras in the room, like slippers, gowns, anything to justify having added extra money for a better room. And when I called reception and said thet I was a little disapointed, no buffet, no view no nothing, there was nothing she could do to help. The staff have nothing at there disposal to pamper the guests or make them feel welcome. There were hardly any people and the place was dark and quiet, no reason to come back to the hotel at the end of the day except to sleep.