Good option for leisure and business in Helsinki

I originally choose the Strand because of the location close to downtown and specially Senate square, as well as because the available reviews were rather good. 

I was not disapointed and had an excellent stay there.

Check-in was quick and efficient. I was informed that I was not upgraded from a King Room with Sea View to an Executive King Room as they did not had one available for the second night, however I was granted lounge acccess. This was very fine with me.

The agent confirmed my special request was done (I asked for a yoga mat inside the room, this avoid me travelling with one), for which I was grateful.

The room was the standard Hilton type, without trace of much wear and tear. As usual the bed was comfortable and I really have nothing to complain about. Except maybe the AC was hard to control: the temperature inside was 22 degrees, which I found too hot. I try to set it up to 20 degrees, which resulted in a blast of cold air for more than 24 hours. 

There was no shower cubicle but a bath tub with a shower, which was OK. The amenities were the usual Hilton ones. 

The view was truly good, towards the sea. 

I had great service, all the staff were friendly and approachable. 

There was two bottles of water for the first night, but none for the second unfortunately. There was also chocolates as a welcome gift. 

The lounge was OK enough, I found it small. There were some nimbles from 17 to 19:00, which were OK enough, and cakes and fruits all day long. Overall the lounge is not a feature I would consider when choosing this hotel in the future. 

I had a very early check-out, way before the opening of the restaurant for breakfast. I was given a bag with some cookies, an orange and an orange juice bottle. 

The breakfast spread was excellent, with a large choice and good quality products. There was a large egg buffet with boiled, soft-boiled, scrambled, egg pancakes and a couple of other variants. Cold and warm cuts, large bread selection. I was surprised to not see any fish, which for a Nordic countries is rather unusual.

The restaurant is cosy and the menu features a mix of finnish and more international food, although there is not much choices and the prices are inflated. The quality was OK. 

The hotel is situated 10 minutes walk north of Senate square, 15 minutes walk from the train station.

The best way from/to the airport is to take the bus 615, which runs every 20 minutes or 30 minutes depending of the time of the day, 24 hours a day 7 days of the week. The bus stop is 2 minutes walk: cross the square towards the sea and turn slightly right at the end of the square, going along the sea. The Hilton is then the second building.