Hotel Lilla Roberts, Helsinki, Finland

When my friend suggested a visit to a five-star Hotel Lilla Roberts in Helsinki, I started to wait for their campaigns – and as a member of The Nordic Choice Club (5/2023 became part of Strawberry), I didn't have to wait long for an inviting offer. So we managed to book a Stay & Dine package with a Lux room for less than half of the normal price! I had been interested in this hotel since it opened in 2015 so I was keen to experience its glamour as well as enjoy a movie night with my friend.

Hotel Lilla Roberts

Hotel Lilla Roberts is located in the design district of Helsinki in a building originally built for Helsinki Electric Company in 1908 and later operated as a police station. It went through a massive renovation and is now part of Kämp Collection Hotels. What I love about the Kämp Collection Hotels is that they all have unique characters and styles. The design in Hotel Lilla Roberts is an interesting mix of modern and art deco, which is in keeping with its period features. The characteristic of Lilla Roberts is also the support that it shows for Finnish designers by organizing exhibitions of different fashion brands in the foyer.

I think that the reception area in Hotel Lilla Roberts was one of the most beautiful that I have seen so far in my life. It was oozing 20's glamour with its runway-like chessboard flooring. The wooden furniture around the fireplace gave warmth and a Nordic influence to the design even when there was no fire. Other more glamorous seating areas were perfect for any fashion photoshoot. The space may not be very fitting for large gatherings but was more suitable for intimate late-night talks over drinks from the bar Lilla E or some reading. They had a great selection of books and magazines for the clients to read. The swing music played in the background was absolutely the right choice for this space.

My Lux Room

The receptionist was kind and tried her best to choose the most suitable room for us. The hotel has 130 rooms and suites, each one different, so I can imagine that this is not always an easy task. I booked a Lux room because I appreciate high ceilings, bigger windows, and the flow of natural light in a room. Also, a little bit more square footage adds to the comfort. All the Lux rooms come with hardwood floors, bathtubs, and bathrobes. In addition, they have Nespresso coffee machines as well as tea-making facilities. In our room, we had a street view which was also nice. 

Even though I thought that the room was beautifully decorated, I felt a little disappointed when I saw it. Based on the photos on the hotel's web pages, some other Lux rooms have arched windows and these were rectangular, even when I had requested otherwise. In addition, I was surprised at how small the bathroom was. But we didn't let this bother us since we were only staying for one night. What we appreciated the most was the fact that we were able to connect the phone to the TV and watch Netflix in bed.

Somewhat Disappointing Amenities But Excellent Restaurant

There is a gym in the hotel, but unfortunately no sauna or pool. We went to see the gym. It had a good amount of training equipment, but being underground the smell in the room wasn't fresh, so it was not an inviting place for exercising in my opinion. 

Instead, we went for the three-course dinner included in the package. The restaurant Krog Roba serves Nordic cuisine with an emphasis on local and organic products. In the evening they have à la carte and in the morning a breakfast buffet. The restaurant was very welcoming because of its industrial design and the professional attitude of the staff. The food was super delicious during both dinner and breakfast. 

At dinner, I recommend trying the fish dish, which was just melting in the mouth. At the breakfast buffet, all the food served was of great quality. The selection of dishes didn't differ much from other Finnish hotels, but they had special drinks for the clients. The first was honey mead, a super sweet non-alcoholic drink, and the second was a shot of fruits that included vitamins equal to seven oranges! What a great way to start your day!

In Conclusion

All in all, I thought that Hotel Lilla Roberts was a great choice for a city break in Helsinki. It has a fashionable design and a very kind and professional staff. There are nice surprises in the restaurant, but also many other interesting restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. It is within walking distance of all the main sights in Helsinki, which makes it a great base for a longer stay as well. I was grateful that I got to experience its glamour and spend an extraordinary movie night with a friend in this place.