This hostel is part of the stadium built for the Helsinikii Olympic games in 1952. The hostel itself is pretty uninspiring as the colouring and surroundings are grey and concrete. The atmosphere is not exactly "cold," but certainly not what one would call fun or friendly. The staff are polite enough, and will answer any questions, but rarely offer information or seem interested in a traveller's experiences.
The dorm rooms are good and warm, and the beds are comfortable. There is no area for socialising inside, although there is a courtyard outside that would be nice in the summer. The bathrooms offer communal showers (without separation between showers), which may not be to everone's liking, but the state of the bathrooms was acceptable. The water is hot and plentiful, and the water pressure is great.
The dorm is closed between 10:00 and 16:00 (4 pm), but if you're there for seeing the city, that's not a problem. Baggage can be stored in the baggage room, so it will be safe while you are out on the town. There is a curfew, so watch the clock if out partying. The hostel is an easy 2.5km or so from the centre of town, or you can take the trams (numbers 3 and 7 go right past the hostel, and number 4 goes past a nearby street).
All in all, the hostel is definitely worth the cost if you're after a good bed and a hot shower after looking around Helsinki. If you want more atmosphere to your experience, there are other places, but few will match the price.
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
January 2005
Ort/Kontakt
