Every trip includes a search for the perfect hotel. Ideally, the property would be conveniently located, bookable with hotel loyalty points, include benefits such as complimentary breakfast and an upgraded room, and have character, charm, or a funky vibe.
Those were my hopes when I booked the Hotel U14 in Helsinki, Finland, for a 2-night stay before my recent sailing to Sweden. Fortunately, the hotel, a Marriott property, delivered all this and more.
Here are all the key things to know about Hotel U14 before booking a stay.
1. You Can Book With Marriott Bonvoy Points
Hotel U14, Autograph Collection, is easily bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points, Free Night Awards, or by selecting nightly rates. I used a 35,000-point Free Night Award for my first night and paid $222 for the second night.
I like earning Marriott Bonvoy points on my Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card as I receive 4x points at U.S. supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, up to $15,000 in combined purchases each calendar year (then 2x). Plus, when spending $15,000 on eligible purchases, I receive a Free Night Award worth up to 50,000 points.
Additionally, my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card provides a Free Night Award (up to 35,000 points) after each card renewal.
If you want immediate and complimentary Marriott Bonvoy elite status, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card may be a wise choice, as it includes Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and 25 elite night credits toward higher elite status. The card also provides a Free Night Award following each card renewal anniversary, worth up to 85,000 points, along with many more benefits.
You can add up to 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to any Free Night Award to use it for a higher-priced award night.
2. Marriott Bonvoy Status Is Recognized
I work hard for my Marriott Bonvoy elite status and always appreciate when that loyalty is recognized. You can expect status recognition at Hotel U14, as I experienced.
The front desk person recognized my Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status at check-in and offered a room upgrade to a suite. However, I had 2 separate reservations, and the suite was only available for 1 night, so I declined it in favor of a room I could stay in for 2 nights. My upgraded Luxe room was lovely and one I was very happy with.
Additionally, I receive a $10 daily food and beverage credit, complimentary breakfast, and a late checkout.
3. Great Base for Exploring Helsinki
If you’re arriving at Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL), it’s a direct and inexpensive 30-minute train ride to Helsinki Central Station. From there, you can take a short tram ride or walk about 15 minutes to the hotel. Uber is also a good option from the airport or the central station.
If you’re arriving or leaving from the Katajanokka or Olympia ferry docks, the hotel is within walking distance of these terminals.
The hotel is a great base for exploring the city. The waterfront and city sights are just a few blocks away. The hop-on, hop-off bus stop is near the hotel, and you can catch a canal tour in the nearby harbor.
Visit the Uspenski Cathedral, the largest and most impressive Orthodox church in Western Europe, or sign up for a bike tour to see more of the city. The grand Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square is also close to the hotel.
One of my favorite things to do as soon as I arrive in Helsinki is make my way to the harbor and order fresh fish. This fresh salmon plate was just €18 ($21), delicious, and a way-too-generous serving for 1 person. There are many food venues along the harbor competing for your business, which can be beneficial to customers.
Another incredible place to find food is Old Market Hall. The best of Finnish cuisine is on offer there, where you can purchase caviar, fresh fish and seafood, sandwiches, and a wide variety of Finnish food. Grab a bite to take with you, then catch the ferry next door to the Suomenlinna sea fortress island for an afternoon of exploration.
For more ideas on things to do around the hotel, the My Finland site has all the information you need.
4. Boutique and Family-Owned
With just 117 rooms, including 2 suites, the Hotel U14 is a smaller, boutique-style property. In the heart of the city, my room offered only views of the surrounding streets and buildings, but I could enjoy the inspiring interiors and the convenient location.
The hotel is family-owned and “managed hands-on with a lot of care,” according to the front desk person who checked me in.
I could see and feel the evidence of this care in the professional yet funky decor, with friendly, welcoming leather hippos and their subtle images adorning each room. Beyond the decor, every employee was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and incredibly kind.
Adnan, who checked me in, did an extraordinary job explaining the hotel’s amenities and surroundings. I also received assistance from the hotel front desk manager with a nonhotel, weather-related issue, and he went above and beyond what I would ever expect from any hotel employee!
5. Expect Quality Dining and Amenities
Hotel U14 has very defined dining, wellness, and business offerings that maximize its smaller footprint. Here are the places to eat and amenities you can expect at the hotel.
Dining
The hotel has 1 main restaurant, the Version Eatery and Garden. Breakfast is served there from 7 to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and on the weekends, it offers its slow breakfast from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. I loved that I could sleep in or head out on Sunday morning and return to the hotel at lunchtime. Included in my stay was the breakfast buffet, which would normally cost €37 ($43).
At breakfast, you can find all the typical hot offerings, including scrambled eggs, meats, beans, potatoes, and vegetables. Cold items include cheeses, shrimp salad, cold cuts, fresh fruits, salad ingredients, assorted breads, and more. Though the buffet breakfast is plentiful, it does not include made-to-order eggs.
In the evening, the restaurant has tasting menus, à la carte dishes, and shared plates. Dinner is served every night except Sunday, from 5 to 10 p.m. You can view all the menus here.
The lobby bar, Version Drinkery, is open daily from 5 to 11 p.m. and is closed on Sunday.
Fitness Center, Sauna, and Meeting Rooms
The hotel has a clean, modest fitness center adequate for your basic workout. Additionally, there is a coed sauna. There is no private changing room, so it’s best to come prepared for your workout or sauna.
The sauna is coed, so you are required to wear a bathing suit. Instructions for using the sauna are clearly posted and easy to follow.
In addition to the fitness room and sauna, the hotel has meeting facilities. There are 4 meeting rooms, the largest of which holds 60 attendees. The hotel does not offer wedding services.
The hotel would be a perfect venue for a private meeting, reunion, or seminar.
Parking is available off-site, and the hotel is pet-friendly. The hotel is LEED– and Green Key-certified for sustainability.
Bottom Line:
Hotel U14 has a lovely restaurant that serves both breakfast and dinner. Additionally, there is a lobby cocktail bar. Dinner and evening bar service are not available on Sundays, but numerous restaurants surround the hotel. The hotel also has a fitness center, coed sauna, and meeting rooms.
Final Thoughts
My stay at Hotel U14 exceeded expectations. While the hotel was everything I had hoped for, being in the city center with access to everything Helsinki has to offer made my stay exceptional.
One gesture stood out at the end of my stay. When it was time to leave the hotel and walk to the ferry docks for my journey to Sweden, a rainstorm had developed. The hotel front desk manager recognized my angst and helped me find a creative solution to the problem. Let’s say I will be forever grateful for his help, as I made it to the ship completely dry.
I would certainly stay at the hotel again when in Helsinki and tell my friends to do the same.