Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki

Finland , Helsinki
HELSINKI, Asema-Aukio, 2
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100 reviews shown

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2026

Maria

Fabulous as always, the superior room with the balcony was excellent: quiet, lovely and big, excellent light and a nice walk in shower well worth paying extra for. All hotel amenities were great, towels, robe slippers etc. Great sauna available free in the evenings or morning. Breakfast was superb, such a big selection and lovely views from the 10th floor. The location of this hotel is fantastic and allows ease of use for all of the city, easy to find straight out of the airport/ train to city with no real walking distance with luggage in the snow this is a bonus! 100% would recommend.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Feb 2026

maricar

Very nice comfortable, close to central station , safe

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

05 Feb 2026

Leena

Everything about our stay was great! Room was clean and comfortable, sauna was hot, and the breakfast buffet was delicious!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2026

Anthony

Slightly old fashioned but clean, friendly, nice restaurant and bar on 10th floor with great views. Very (very) easy from airport to central station by train. No more than 4-5 min walk station to hotel. Hotel well situated for central Helsinki sights and waterfront.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2026

Jude

Great location next to the railway station. Room was clean & spacious. Comfortable bed & great views.
Staff were very helpful & friendly. Definitely would stay again.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

24 Dec 2025

Gramoz

Great location

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

Judy

Nice hotel. Great staff. Great location from central train station & easy walkable distances to places/attractions. Would stay again.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

16 Dec 2025

Aaron

Cleanliness of bathroom was pretty poor with mould around the toilet. Amenities in room pretty average with no moisturizer even in winter. Breakfast was 90% inedible. Mass produced food, cordial sugar water for juice, eggs like paste. All I ate was bread and yoghurt

10/10

Exceptional

15 Dec 2025

Lee BS

Fabulous front desk staff. Spacious room and toilet. Great amenities. Perfect location just opposite the train station and a big shopping mall right below. Plenty of shops around. Ability to leave luggage a few days before check in when we onward to Rovaniemi. Would recommend friends and family to stay here!

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

13 Dec 2025

Patricia

Hotel property location is a walking distance to shopping center and many tourist attractions, breakfast was very good and the staff was very friendly

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Dec 2025

Xenddie

Great location

10/10

Exceptional

06 Dec 2025

Jose

Great location, clean and easy to access. Market next to it is a life saver. Great place

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

27 Nov 2025

JIE

Good location, close to train, tram & shops. Staff are friendly, helpful and breakfast good too 😁

10/10

Exceptional

23 Nov 2025

Russell

Great room, handy to everything

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Nov 2025

Erina

Very convenient location - not only next to main train station but also has lots of tram and bus stops around. Also able to walk to places quite easily.
Really enjoyed breakfast buffet - there were so many Finnish food dishes that we were able to try :)

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Nov 2025

Anna Elisabeth

Lovely staff, clean, good breakfast, great location, nice sauna

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2025

Jarmo

Creat location

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2025

Randal

Good location. Good breakfast.

8/10

Excellent

12 Oct 2025

Sook Mei

The hotel is very near to the train station. However, the lift is very small and xan only take 4 pax maximum. Breakfast spread is good.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2025

Anne

Great location, and great views from the breakfast. The only disappointment that the breakfast no longer had smoked salmon available.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Steven

Beautiful room with nice size balcony, and great view of the city. Great breakfast buffet! Central train station is very close by and easy access to public transportation! There are also plenty of grocery stores within walking distance. Variety of dining restaurants are lacking, but there are plenty for a quick bite.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

25 Sep 2025

David

The hotel is a throwback to the 70s. Has not been updated since the Nixon administration. I really didn’t mind the old style, it was kind of charming actually.

I did mind the fact that the tub drain wasn’t positioned properly and all the water draining from the tub wound up on the floor during my wife’s shower. I know it’s not my problem, but I can’t allow water to gratuitously drain on the floor….anyone’s floor. I was vexed by this problem. Luckily I have plumbing skills and I was able to take the two plates off of the access portion and I noticed that the pvc drainpipe from the tub was not squarely positioned over the separate floor drain. I carefully nudged the tub’s drain pipe so its end became positioned over that floor drain. Bingo! The problem was solved. The tub water then drained properly. No runs, drips or errors. I didn’t have to bug the staff and I was quite proud of myself for fixing it. That’s the German blood in me I suppose.

If you want towels replaced, you need to pre-arrange that at the front desk. My wife was informed that she should have arranged this originally at check in. I think it was a bit of eco-shaming.

Overall, the hotel has good karma I believe. Finland is a bit behind the times, but it’s all quite charming. We ate a reindeer for dinner in a nearby restaurant. There were many restaurants present in the surrounding area of the hotel.

The Bolt/Uber is a bit crazy just outside of the hotel, but just send the driver a message you are at Sokos.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Sep 2025

Sari

Corner of the building 6th floor “Railway station view room” was a stretch when the view was from side window and rest of the windows faced building across the road and room was on top of the tram line. Room itself was great, superior king, lots of space and nice retro vibe. Inside the hotel and hallways were quiet BUT trams outside kept me up and woke me up during the three night stay. Breakfast was sufficient and view from 10th room restaurant great. Special thank you to Adalina at front desk. We appreciated your help on the day we checked out.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

21 Sep 2025

DIANA

Super convenient

Amazing location. All the transportation options are at your door and you can easily walk to the Olympic Stadium. Great breakfast selection.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Sep 2025

Rachel

Lovely room and great breakfast.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 Aug 2025

Ronnie

convenient location to sights and train

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2025

Michael

Great stay. Walking distance to everything.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Karen

Room was comfortable and just across from the central train station, making it cery easy to do day trips. Also, saved on taxi fare to and from thecairport. This was my 2nd time staying at this hotel.

Friends

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2025

Jose Luis

El hotel esta muy bien ubicado dentro de la zona turistica y para comprar
El servicio es bueno pero se puede mejorar

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2025

Abdelilah

Great hotel, excellent location, very good service

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

06 Aug 2025

Maggie

The decor in our room was gorgeous. It felt so luxurious. Breakfast was a great buffet. Very accessible to the trains/transit.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2025

Sandra

Original Sokos Vaakuna is a gem near the train station in Helsinki. The decor is charmingly restored vintage, everything I. Great condition. Very worthwhile to get a superior room on the 9th floor for amazing views and your own balcony overlooking the city. The 10th floor bar has even more incredible views with slightly higher than average cocktail prices but totally worth it. You can order a few menu items there at the bar and I recommend the creamy salmon soup- a good portion of grilled salmon with cooked vegetables in a milk and butter broth. The location is great for arriving by train (or by commuter train from the airport) and for walks to the Esplanadi, the waterfront, shopping and dining and to the design district.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Aug 2025

Werner

4.5 stars. Bad about this hotel is no pool and fitness facility. But you can walk 5 minutes across the street to use the facilities ant the Presidentti at no charge. Ice is only available from the bar in the restaurant on the 10th floor, and a server isn’t there all the time. Wifi is free but weak and patchy. Standard rooms are very small such that 2 guests would be tripping over one another. Bathroom is tiny with no counter space.
Else, very convenient location with lots of shopping, eating and sightseeing opportunities within walking distance. Close to several public transportation hubs (bus, train and streetcar). Also a great pickup spot in front of the hotel main entrance for taxi or ride share pickup.
I would highly recommend staying here and would not hesitate to stay again if in a larger room.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2025

Peter

Great location. Close to railway station and trams. Room was quiet and comfortable with view overlooking the streets below.
Would certainly stay there again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Jul 2025

Kit Min

What a great location! The hotel is directly opposite the train station to the airport, as well as beside the metro & trams to other parts of Helsinki. It's within walking distance to many food options, shopping, cafes & more.

The room was very spacious, comfortable and the breakfast was wonderful as well. The staff were friendly and helpful to answer any questions I had. Would gladly stay here again the next time I'm in Helsinki!

Business_and_leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2025

Leonard

Perfect location! No more than a 10 minute walk from anywhere! Front desk personnel extraordinarily friendly. Very comfortable bedding. An absolute must if comfort and convenience matter to you

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

30 Jul 2025

Toni

Great location next to the railway station!

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

Excellent centrally located hotel

The only problem, in an otherwise excellent stay, was the hot water which was sometimes only luke warm.
The location of the hotel couldn't be better.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Jul 2025

Erin

I reserved the 2 double beds with the 3rd bed option for my stay. The room had a \"courtyard view\" (i.e., overlooking the mall); it was quiet, spacious, spotless, had a nice sitting area, and the bathroom featured a deep soaking tub. Other room amenities included a mini fridge, coffee maker, safe, iron & board, desk, and generous clothing storage. I was not given a bathrobe or slippers - perhaps my room wasn't of that class? I didn't ask for them, either, as it simply wasn't that important to me, but YMMV.

The breakfast was a bit chaotic during the weekend, but that isn't unusual. There were many options for vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free, as well as the usual fare.

The sauna was delightful. If the opening hours were extended (earlier, later, or both) and morning hours were available for weekdays, I'd have used it more than I did.

The hotel itself was very nice, looked well-maintained, and was clean. The staff were wonderful from check-in to check-out, and I appreciate that they extended my checkout time without fuss when I inquired, especially given that my request was last-minute. Proximity to Helsingin päärautatieasema was important as well.

I didn't eat at Restaurant 10. Kerros, but Casa Largo was wonderful. Hesburger was wonderful as always; S-Market was a huge bonus, as was their huge assortment of Long Drink.

Overall, my stay was excellent, and I would stay here again in the future. Kiitos!

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2025

Bonnie

Wonderful hotel in Helsinki!

Great hotel in a fantastic location! The room was small, which we expected, but the balcony was huge! We could walk anywhere in 10-15 minutes. Fantastic breakfast! Highly recommend.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 Jul 2025

Sanjay

It’s good

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2025

John

Paradise

Amazing stay

Partner

8/10

Excellent

29 Jun 2025

Gregory

Old fashioned with small lifts and long walks to rooms. Old bathrooms. Restricted electricity plugs so need specific sized as well type of connectors, but reception very helpful.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2025

PING KIT

Old hotel, but rooms are spacious. Very good restaurant with excellent breakfast

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

24 Jun 2025

Christine

Convenient to my places of interest.VERY helpful staff. Great breakfast.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2025

Toros

Nice hotel with a view to the city center.
Staff friendly and helpful.
Breakfast buffet is great.
Close to area attractions.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2025

Shan Darrel

Loved it!

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

09 Jun 2025

SULEYMAN

Clean

8/10

Excellent

04 Jun 2025

Xincan

The hotel is in central location, 5 minutes walking to the central station. Majority of highlights are within walking distance, a lot of restaurants are near by. Our room is spacious and clean. Decent breakfast and in place sauna are plus. Hotel staffs are friendly.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2025

Andrew

Great place would recommend

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2025

Andres

Great location, lovely staff and good breakfast. Right next to central station. Easy to walk anywhere and catch public transport.

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2025

Wing

Areas around central station are always with tons of mixed types of people. It's a trade off for the convenience. Did not feel unsafe through my stay. Definitely not the same as uptown accommodations.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 May 2025

Richard

Surprisingly stylish. Amenities in the room well thought through. Breakfast beyond compare. Central location across from central station in city centre. Right when you want to be.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2025

Ming Hin

Nothing to complain. Super convenient location.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Apr 2025

ROBERT

Perfect location for shopping, all kind of food options from restraunts to grocery stores. The property and staff are awesome

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Apr 2025

LAZARUS

Very clean property

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2025

Timothy

Location is key, close to everything. Breakfast is great, staff is too: but minimal. Rooms a bit dated but very comfortable. Would definately re-book.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

07 Mar 2025

Susanne

Great location.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

22 Feb 2025

Maria Jane

Fabulously located near the train centre in the centre of the city. Worth paying more for a bigger room as they come with comfy chairs and all the little extras. Great selection of breakfast options and has a fab restaurant attached to it.cannot fault it and it’s indeed it was our third stay here for a holiday

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

20 Feb 2025

Jana

Perfect place for in the city stop especially if your next destination is hopping on a train.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

18 Feb 2025

Margarita

This is an awesome place for anyone who comes to Helsinki and is not familiar with the area. The hotel is right next to the train station which makes it super easy to access from and to the airport. All city attractions, shopping, restaurants are at the walking distance. Customer service was wonderful. The staff were friendly and helpful. I would come back to this hotel and recommend to other people!!!

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jan 2025

SHING

Good Location

location would be wonderful, connecting department store & underground shopping center

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jan 2025

Donna Rica

Great location. A quick walk to the central train station and easy access to public transportation. It was so convenient to get to airport and port terminal from here. Surrouned by lots of shopping and restaurant options. The hotel is literally attached with direct door access to a shopping center that has a 24-hour grocery. No need to even walk outside. Within walking distance to popular attractions. Great breakfast at the higher floor with views of the city.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Jan 2025

Anthony

Great location opposite central station, a comfortable hotel. modern amenities and classic style

Partner

8/10

Excellent

30 Dec 2024

CHING YEE WINIFRED

Large and clean room. Very good location. Staff are friendly and very helpful. But feel not safe for the sauna room, as no separate card for female sauna room. And the opening hours for sauna are too limited.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Dec 2024

VIRIYA

First trip in Helainki. Hotel is in the city and is the opposite of Central station, super convenience. Room was super nice.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

27 Dec 2024

Angel

Excellent location across from Helsinki Station. It's an old hotel probably making it hard to upkeep but it feels dirty overall and housekeeping quality is low. Towels smell a bit, balcony has debris, sinks don't drain fast, etc..

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2024

Damaris

The staff is excellent, the location is great right in front of the main train station and the bus. Great hotel with excellent dining the breakfast is the best in town.

Business_and_leisure Self

2/10

Poor

23 Nov 2024

Rina Arip

The hotel double charged me for my stay. It is such a disappointment to be cheated by a well known hotel chain. it is truly disgusting.

8/10

Excellent

12 Nov 2024

Anne

Great breakfasts! (though, no fish at breakfast buffet??).

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Nov 2024

Lottie

Love this hotel in central Helsinki.

Friendly staff, great breakfast and you can’t beat the location.

Great history too as the hotel was opened for the Helsinki Olympics in the 50s.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

27 Oct 2024

Marguerite

Great stay

Great location. Close to sights and shops. Lovely clean room

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2024

Dennis

On previous trips we have stayed at a different hotel in the same area near the train station. This is now our 'go to' hotel when we visit Helsinki!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

02 Sep 2024

Karen Saunders

I loved my stay here! The hotel is literally across from the train station making it easy to get to and from the airport. It is also very close to all the trams. The room was larger than most and even included a bath robe! The bed was very comfortable. I would definitely stay here again!!

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2024

JOANN

Loved the view, so glad I upgraded to a room with balcony!! Also enjoyed the roof top bar!!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Aug 2024

Elizabeth

Good customer service.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

08 Jul 2024

Kirk

Really loved staying here. The room was clean and quiet. Great views (we were on the 8th floor) easy access to buses, trams, trains. 10th floor breakfast was amazing. If you have the chance to meet Adam there he is a wonderful young man. Sauna was excellent. Staff at the hotel were friendly, kind and helpful. All the suites were close by, eating was close by. Korvapuusti is a must and Lidl has them very inexpensive.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

07 Jul 2024

Cheri

We were only here for one night and it's a great location. The check in took forever and it wasn't organized at all (the only real complaint if I had one). They just need to add ropes for a line formation or something. We chose a view of the shopping center and I wish I would've chosen something else. My fault! It's a great location and we walked everywhere, to that's a bonus. The room itself was clean and so was the property.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

18 Jun 2024

Jeane

The location is perfect with lots of shopping, dining, and attractions very close by. Our room had a magnificent view of the train station. The best part was the fabulous breakfast buffet on the rooftop. Stunning! The staff was helpful and friendly. We had a wonderful stay in Helsinki!

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

15 Jun 2024

Ann

Architectural gem in center city

Great location for arrivals from the train, with centre city at your feet and all transit options nearby. For architecture buffs this 1952 era hotel is a must see - the public spaces (lobby, 8th floor elevator space, restaurant) are gorgeously detailed and retain their integrity.

Business

8/10

Excellent

10 Jun 2024

kevin

Convenient but rooms a little drab even though they are clean and practical. Breakfast congested but a big hotel.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

06 May 2024

Kim

Great location when taking the train from the airport. Would definitely stay here again.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 May 2024

Right in front of the train station and surrounded by trams. There is a huge store and supermarket right underneath the hotel.

The breakfast room is sumptuous and overlooking the city (10th floor) and the buffet (included with the room) is the largest I have seen in a hotel.

Our room (2-twin beds and an extra bunk bed) had hard wood floors and was larger than regular 2-twin rooms. I asked for a quiet spot and it was definitely very quiet indeed.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

02 May 2024

Derrick

Great location.

Overall it felt dated but staff were friendly and the room was clean and comfortable . Excellent location close to the train station and great views from terrace. Breakfast was good and staff made us feel welcomed.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Apr 2024

Saija

Fantastic

Fantastic hotel! Great location and wonderful customer service

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Mar 2024

SYLVESTER E H

Convenient n good eatery

Convenience.Shopping n train station nearby n can inter link.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Nov 2023

Verified traveler

good location

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

25 Sep 2023

Gonzalo

Very good property and excellent services.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Sep 2023

Suheil

Excellent location and amazing staff

Excellent location and amazing staff
Got room on top floor with balcony with beautiful views over city centre.
Aircon sadly did not cool the room. Temperature in room lowest setting possible is 19.5 degree C. You can't go loser than that. So room was hot.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

07 Sep 2023

Christopher

Best place to stay in downtown Helsinki

10/10

Exceptional

05 Sep 2023

Stephen

I highly recommend staying in this hotel

Staff were very kind,helpful and Informative during my stay.I was given exactly what I requested I would like for my room. It was in a perfect location as everything was with in walking distance or close to a tram. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone you won't be disappointed.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2023

charles

Great location, good breakfast, quiet & roomy

Self

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2023

XIAOLU

Best location. Very good breakfast on top of the building with great views.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Aug 2023

Glen

Was great

8/10

Excellent

05 Aug 2023

Martha

Great breakfast. Small elevators. Small bathrooms. I fell outside on uneven pavers. No disabled entrance. You must go up stairs.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

31 Jul 2023

Robert

A lot of smokers lighting up right outside the front door--pretty stinky.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Jul 2023

Sari

The rooms were larger than most European hotels. The large windows were nice as well. This hotel was ideal in location, directly across the street from the train station and within a short walk to the market and shopping.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

25 Jul 2023

Michael

Staff, especially at Reception, were excellent. Cheerful and helpful. Room was tiny and very cramped. Not even room for a chair.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

11 Jul 2023

sujit

The location is extremely convenient for moving about. The bathroom area is disproportionately small; the hall passage is too narrow; the extractor fan not working properly.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jul 2023

Ben

One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. An architectural marvel. Location couldn’t be more perfect for exploring Helsinki. The breakfast AND the restaurant itself are a total knockout. Staff super friendly. Would stay again in a heartbeat.

Leisure Family_with_children