This Helsinki hotel oozes 19th-century glamour – with a modern twist

With a central location, sleek interiors and a sparkling new restaurant, Hotel Kamp offers a classic Finnish stay in the capital city – although it is still mid-renovation

Location

Located in central Helsinki, Hotel Kamp sits right on the pretty esplanade that runs down to the city’s harbour. Almost all of Helsinki’s main attractions are walkable, including the cathedral (five minutes), the harbour (five minutes) and Oodi Library (15 minutes).

The main shopping district is one street away and Helsinki’s Central train station is a 10-minute walk, from where you can reach the airport by rail in around 45 minutes. A cab to the airport takes around half an hour.

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The vibe

Hotel Kamp, which is part of Leading Hotels of the World, exudes 19th-century glamour with a modern twist. It takes its history seriously (Kamp first opened as a hotel in 1887, then it had a stint as a bank from the 1960s, before becoming a hotel again in the late Nineties) and much of the architecture has remained unchanged. Pieces of modern art (including an impressive bronze Jaume Plensa statue in the entrance) blend with classical paintings from the late 1800s, a sweeping staircase and chandeliers.

Service

Attentive to the point of being overbearing. Service at Kamp has the potential to feel a little bit stiff, although it’s hard to fault the intention. I get the sense that this slight stuffiness may settle down a little as the hotel eases into its newly renovated form (due for completion by Autumn 2026). The white glove dinner service with waiters in bow ties and dinner jackets, and the doormen with top hats, fits rather well into the 19th-century luxury hotel vibe, but clashes somewhat with the rather more modern feel that Kamp seems to be trying to to achieve.

Bed and bath

When the renovation is finished, Hotel Kamp will have a total of 210 rooms and suites, and almost all have been completed already. From entry-level up, the rooms are elegant and feel luxurious, with high ceilings and tastefully pared-back colour schemes.

All bathrooms have bathtubs and walk-in showers with tiling and marble surfaces, plus ESPA toiletries.

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Food and drink

A La Kamp is a reimagining of Hotel Kamp’s restaurant from the late 1800s and is designed to capture the glamour of Old Helsinki – which it does very well. The menu includes dishes that were on the original version a century ago, but created using modern French techniques. The winter menu is fish-heavy: fried pike-perch with champagne-beurre blanc sauce, and sea sole with grilled lemon, browned butter and parsley, are a couple of the standout dishes. Vegetarian options include beetroot tartar with pickled chanterelles and truffle mayonnaise, and grilled leeks with beluga lentils, pickled mushrooms and almonds. The menu also caters for vegan, dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, and low lactose.

There is a short cocktail and mocktail list (each drink has a backstory that relates to the hotel’s history), while the wine list is extensive and largely European. Drinks are best enjoyed in the gorgeous Kamp Bar.

The breakfast offering is impressive and particularly appealing if you have a sweet tooth – alongside the fruits, berries, omelettes, granola and smoked fish, each morning guests can enjoy a decadent offering from the pastry chef, including mille-feuille, cakes and pastries.

Facilities

Because Hotel Kamp is mid-renovation facilities are not quite where they will be come autumn, which is a shame because they will clearly be impressive. At the time of my stay (late February) there was no pool and the spa was limited to a few rooms, although there was still a wide range of treatments on offer, including massages, facials, waxing and pedicures. There is a small but well-equipped gym, which will be expanded following the renovation.

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Accessibility

All public areas at Hotel Kamp are accessible, and there are a number of rooms adapted to meet a wide range of needs. This includes rooms with alarms at the ends of the beds for hearing impaired guests. It is also possible to install a fall barrier at the side of beds. Bathrooms with handrails and a shower chair are available upon request. The hotel has “allergy rooms” with anti-allergy bedding and without carpeting.

Pet policy

Hotel Kamp is pet-friendly (for dogs and cats). An extra fee of €35 (£30) per room, per night applies for each pet. Pets receive a welcome gift on arrival.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in from 3pm, check-out by 12 noon.

Family-friendly?

Yes, children of all ages are welcomed at Hotel Kamp. A number of the rooms are connecting, and the hotel offers special family packages.

At a glance

Best thing: The rooms. Even at an entry level, they’re elegant and spacious with luxury touches.

Perfect for: Anyone who wants to get swept away in old Helsinki.

Not right for: Those who prefer their luxury more laidback.

Instagram from: The lobby facing the bronze Carlota sculpture at the centre of the winding staircase and the chandelier above you. It’s a gorgeous mix of classic and modern.

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Phone: +35895619 2701

Website: hotelkamp.com

Annabel was a guest of Hotel Kamp.