Nordic Hotel Forum, Tallinn, Estonia

I always enjoy traveling to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, as it only takes 2.5 hours on a ferry to get there from Helsinki. The city is an interesting mix of medieval and modern architecture, and its lively cultural scene offers something new to discover on each visit. I love exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, but also the Rotermann district has become my favourite with its interesting art, shops, restaurants, and cafés.

Accommodation preferences change a bit when traveling with children compared to solo trips or vacations with friends. Cozy boutique hotels or design hotels with fine dining restaurants may not always be the most practical choices for families. With children, it's important to find a high-quality hotel offering spacious family rooms (preferably at a reasonable price) equipped with a sofa bed or the option for an extra bed. A convenient location is also crucial to minimize walking distance for sightseeing or shopping. Finally, I always prioritize hotels with pools, since the children enjoy swimming. With these criteria in mind, I selected the Nordic Hotel Forum for our short trip to Tallinn during the Easter holiday in March.

Nordic Hotel Forum

The recently refurbished four-star Nordic Hotel Forum is perhaps geared more towards business clientele, but I was taken with its modern Scandinavian style and the superb location at the edge of the Rotermann district, between the harbor and the old town. It is ideal for tourists arriving by boat, since it's only a 10-minute walk from the harbor and 5 minutes from the gates of the Old Town. In addition, there are several shops and restaurants near the hotel. For this reason, it was a clear favourite for this trip.

When you arrive at the hotel, your attention is immediately drawn to the grand white staircase and the trees next to it. The reception area is a vast open space with polished stone floors leading to a very elegant lobby bar featuring a reading nook and a fireplace, which unfortunately was not on during our visit. Nevertheless, I thought that the interior design was beautiful. Also, the service was thoughtful and kind from the beginning to the end. The staff was thinking of everything and taking care of the smallest detail, in line with their promise.

My Family Deluxe Room

Nordic Hotel Forum has 258 elegant rooms and suites with hardwood floors and en suites. Bedrooms are decorated with a contemporary Scandinavian style, with a focus on relaxation. Even though the Family Standard Rooms (30 m²) are exceptionally spacious, I was delighted to receive a complimentary upgrade to their Family Deluxe Room. It had a more luxurious feel to it thanks to the wooden paneling and calm neutral color palette.

The Deluxe Family Rooms have 42 m² and generous bathrooms with a shower and a bath. Conveniently, there was also a microwave and a good-sized fridge in the room. They offered complimentary water and juice for the clients, and the bathroom had a lovely selection of luxurious Elemis products. Nothing was missing from it, and we truly felt pampered in this gorgeous room!

Amenities of Nordic Hotel Forum

The hotel boasts a leisure center on the top floor with a good-sized swimming pool, sauna, steam bath, and jacuzzi. The amenities are available to all guests for free. The spa provides towels, and bathrobes can be bought for an extra fee. The Deluxe Rooms include slippers and bathrobes. There is also a gym available for working out. The spaces have been finished to a very high standard, and the windows provide interesting vistas of the city. I felt the spa had a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

The restaurant Noho serves Estonian and international cuisine from its open kitchen in an inviting space. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy their meals or drinks on the Summer terrace, which is a stylish set of glass cubicles in front of the hotel. We were pleasantly surprised by the kids' menu. The fries, chicken, and salad we ordered were enjoyable for both parents and children, and the portion sizes were generous. The restaurant was open until 11 pm, which was great.

The breakfast was served in a vast area on the ground floor. There was a wide selection of warm and cold dishes, but also a few unexpected treats. I especially enjoyed their cheese and tomato omelets, berry yogurt with granola, salty pastries, and strawberry-banana smoothies. Also, I appreciated their good selection of gluten-free options and the possibility of ordering your own omelet directly from the chef. The breakfast area was almost full at 9 o'clock when we entered, but the personnel were managing it well, and the customer service was impeccable.

In Conclusion

All in all, we had an amazing experience at Nordic Hotel Forum. It had everything that my family required on a holiday in Tallinn. We were able to explore the Old Town, relax in the spa, do a lot of shopping, and enjoy a delicious dinner. For me, this hotel ticks all the boxes for a family getaway. Especially their Deluxe Room category has an excellent price-quality ratio. We can all recommend this contemporary hotel wholeheartedly, and I would not hesitate to book it again.