LOCATION

GLO Hotel Kluuvi is positioned in the middle of Helsinki’s shopping district and a short walk to key sights, such as Uspenski Cathedral with its onion domes, the bustling Market Square, the central Esplanadi walkway and the waterfront. Apart from the taxi to and from the airport, we didn’t need to catch another during our stay, because everything important was so close. If you’re not lugging around a heap of luggage and a toddler, the train station is just a five-minute walk from the hotel, and it’s easy enough to catch the train to and from the airport.

WHY WE STAYED HERE

With three days in Helsinki, our plan was to explore to the max. Generally we like to head out during the day, come back in the afternoon for a rest, then go out again for dinner, so choosing a centrally located hotel is always a key factor. GLO Hotel Kluuvi ticked that box. Picking a hotel that has comfortable rooms and a tasty breakfast also come into the equation. It was easy enough to work out that the rooms and food were good, thanks to the reviews. And as soon as we turned up (very early in the morning!), the welcome we received from staff confirmed that we’d made the right choice.

ACCOMMODATION

GLO Hotel Kluuvi has 184 rooms spanning five categories. The Smart Doubles are the smallest category, and at 13m2 are quite compact. The largest are the Executive Suites, which are 68m2 and can fit up to six guests. We booked a Luxe Double room, which at 26m2 easily fit our travel cot and luggage. All rooms are modern and kept spotlessly clean. They are well designed too, with furniture strategically positioned to make maximum use of the space.

ACTIVITIES

GLO Hotel Kluuvi reception staff are courteous and helpful, so if you need directions or advice, chatting to them is a good port of call. You can hire a bike (a GLOfied Jopo) throughout spring and summer and explore the capital in the saddle. Staff can also help with car rental if you’re keen to explore further.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at The Tray, which has a cosy ambience that makes you want to sit there for hours reading a good book – but, with a toddler, even half an hour is a luxury. The buffet breakfast selections are varied, with something to please even the pickiest of eaters. I enjoyed eggs on toast most days, followed by fruit compote and yoghurt. My husband chose something similar but finished off with pastries (his travel addiction). We’re lucky our toddler eats just about anything, so it was eggs, toast and fruit for her too. There is a weekday lunch buffet service with one locally inspired hot dish (alternating every day) and salad bar. Dinner is an imaginative a la carte affair, with mains designed for sharing. Try ‘Two birds on a nest’ – you’ll get French pulled duck with ponzu sauce and Finnish teriyaki chicken served in a pineapple shell alongside veggie sticks and roti pancakes.