This lively hotel is ideally located in the centre of Helsinki, with spacious rooms, an Instagrammable bar and a light-filled co-working space
Hotel Hobo doesn’t have the typical pared-back Scandi style you might expect from a Helsinki hotel, but it has the fun, young vibe that a city like this deserves, and I fell in love with the place on my last visit. It’s social and lively, while also being laid-back and friendly. Perhaps best of all, the most affordable rooms can be booked for less than £100 – which is a real bargain for a Scandinavian city.
Annabel Grossman
Location
Hotel Hobo enjoys a central location, within easy walking distance of everything you’d want to see on a city break (or a short tram ride if you want to explore beyond the city centre – Rautatieasema or Mikonkatu are the nearest stops). It’s in the heart of Helsinki’s shopping district, surrounded by restaurants and cafes, and just a 10-minute walk from the train station.
Popular sights such as the Oodi Library, Helsinki Cathedral and the harbour (with the wonderful Allas swimming pool and sauna) are all a 10 to 15 minute walk away.
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The vibe
Buzzy but relaxed. On arrival it feels more like the sort of lively, hip spot you’d walk into in Berlin (which is perhaps unsurprising considering it was designed by Berlin-based Studio Aisslinger) rather than in a Nordic city, but the clean clean lines, sleek interiors and light-filled rooms are a clear nod to Scandi style.
The clientele is a real mix of couples, friend groups, families and backpackers, and there’s a strong community feel.
Service
Young, laidback staff were helpful and incredibly friendly during my stay. Any concern that these oh-so-cool staff might be standoffish or lazy was quickly erased as I was greeted by smiles at reception, and a genuine enthusiasm to show off the hotel. Service feels informal yet highly polished – a rare and lovely thing.
Bed and bath
The 183 uniquely designed rooms are a quirky combination of Scandi style and playful splashes of colour. There are small touches that show Hobo really understands what travellers want and need – in the rooms you’ll find a steamer (an iron is available upon request) and umbrella. Plus the bathroom hooks are exactly where you need them, and everything is clearly laid out on the TV, so that room service and information is easy to find.
The large windows looking out over the city let in tons of light, which is lovely during the day – but it’s worth noting that it’s very bright outside at night in this part of Helsinki (although the curtains do a good job at blocking this).
There are five categories of room, including the Hobo Room (the hotel’s most popular choice), Large rooms, Studios and Suites. All have walk-in showers and some of the larger options, including Studios and Suites, have bathtubs. At the bottom of the scale are the Hobo Sleeper rooms, all of which, despite being the most affordable (it’s possible to stay for under £100 a night depending on season), are still a very decent size at 13 to 16 square metres, have plenty of storage space, and feel spacious and airy thanks to the large windows.
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Food and drink
The beauty of Hobo’s food and drink offering is its simplicity. The ground floor bar opens at either 3pm or 4pm depending on the day (Fridays and weekends are earlier), serving natural and eco-friendly wines, local craft beers and a fun selection of cocktails, alongside a small menu that focuses on hyper-local ingredients and simple, fresh flavours.
Pizzas are the star of the show (the smoked trout and cacio e pepe are favourites), but it’s just as tempting to opt for one of the flavourful, colourful salads, including a winter harvest option with pickled beetroot, roasted butternut squash, puffed barley and pecans.
The breakfast buffet is wide-ranging, featuring everything from eggs and bacon to crepes, pastries and fresh fruit – with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options – served in the buzzy second floor restaurant.
Facilities
In keeping with the hotel’s community ethos, there is a large light-filled co-working space called the Playground with desks, sofas and plenty of charging points, as well as a kitchen area. Hobo hosts a number of events in the evenings so there will often be live music or DJs playing in the bar and lounge area. In the basement is a spacious gym with Technogym equipment and work from local artists on the walls.
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Accessibility
All of the public spaces are wheelchair accessible, and there are a number of accessible rooms available on request. The hotel is the official Pride House during Helsinki Pride week, and says it reviews accessibility constantly to ensure as many travellers as possible are welcomed.
Pet policy
Hobo is very pet-friendly and delights in guests bringing along their dogs. In their room, guests with dogs will find a map of the places you can visit in Helsinki with a pooch. A €15 (£13) cleaning fee is charged per night.
Check-in/check-out
Check-in is 3pm, check-out is 12 noon. For a €20 (£17.40) fee, check-out can be extended to 2pm depending on availability.
Family friendly?
Yes, Hobo is very family-friendly. Lovely touches include children being offered free ice cream with meals, and dedicated kids’ slippers in the room. There are rooms accommodating up to five guests, as well as family packages with separate rooms. The hotel has not been over-engineered for children, but it is so fun, laidback and playful that kids will have a blast and families will feel comfortable.
At a glance
Best thing: The rooms. They’re very comfortable and beautifully designed.
Perfect for: Solo travellers (as well as families and friend groups) who want to be in the heart of the action.
Not right for: Those looking for peace and quiet – the vibe here is lively.
Instagram from: The bar-lounge area is built for Instagram pics, with lots of plants, neon lights and exposed brick.
Address: Kluuvikatu 4, 00100 Helsinki
Phone: +358 50 545 3070
Website: hobohotel.fi
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Annabel was a guest of Hobo Hotel.
