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Hiisi Homes is a great choice of accommodation if you're planning on visiting Helsinki. They have serviced apartments in a couple of locations spread out across Helsinki, as well as other cities such as Espoo. We stayed at their Haaga location, which was only a very short train ride from the central station in the city centre. Pohjois-Haaga train station is located less than 5 minutes from the apartments, and it's a direct journey so you don't need to worry about changing trains all of the time. The area also has some coffee shops within walking distance of the apartments as well as a large shopping centre close by. There is easy access to Helsinki airport from here too.
We arrived very late, around 2am, so were thankful that it was a self-service check-in. The codes to enter the building and get your key are provided before you arrive, so it's very simple to do. We took an Uber from the airport since it was very late, but I wouldn't recommend it as it's extremely expensive. So if you're able to, definitely grab the train or a bus. Download the HSL app to get your transportation ticket, which you can buy for multiple days in order to save money. Haaga is probably one of the best places to stay in Helsinki. I loved being able to make breakfast in the morning instead of blowing my budget on food while out in the city centre. Sure hotels are great, but sometimes you need to mix things up a bit and go for the short term serviced apartment. Not convinced? First time looking to rent an apartment in Helsinki? Here are some photos I took of our studio apartment:
Standard Studio Apartment
We were given the studio apartment, which had everything in it and was beautifully designed. Sometimes simple is best.
I loved the simplistic design of the apartment, it felt in keeping with the Nordic countries. If you're planning to stay in Helsinki, you'll probably find that most of the hotels or apartments have a similar theme.
Our flat had two twin beds in it, and they were very nice to sleep in! I definitely struggled to pull myself out of bed in the morning, and if it wasn't for the call of Helsinki Cathedral and market square I probably would have stayed there all day.
And after a long day of exploring Helsinki's city centre, what better way to unwind than with a quick look through the days photos, followed by a bit of Netflix of course. If you want some peace and quiet during the night we found that Haaga was one of the best locations to stay in Helsinki as it's a bit more residential and an up-and-coming neighbourhood. There is nothing worse than being woken up throughout the night when all you want to do is sleep soundlessly.
If you'd rather not sit on your bed and watch Netflix, the couch is very comfortable! You can relax and watch the television from here, with access to the kitchen only a few steps away. It's also nice to be able to look out of the large windows on sunny days.
The kitchen came complete with everything you could need. There are lots of plates, bowls, cups, and utensils, as well as a fridge/freezer for you to store your food in. It also comes with a few added supplies such as coffee, salt, and pepper. We ended up making all of our breakfasts here to save time (and money).
Cleaning supplies and dishwasher tablets are available for use, so no need to worry about the washing up! Yes I included a photo of the kitchen sink, but it was to make an important point about keeping everything nice and clean!
The bathroom was spotless, and the walk in shower was amazing! Fresh towels come included in the rental price, and there is shampoo available for you to use as well if you accidentally forget to pack your own.
There's a complete manual about the apartment in the room for you to read as well. I don't know about you, but I love reading them if they're provided so I don't miss out on any of the hidden amenities!
Before we left Helsinki for the more secluded Tuusula, we took some time to put our feet up and breathe a bit. There are lots of interesting and unique things to do in Helsinki, so our feet hardly ever left the ground!
Restaurants Close to Hiisi Homes Helsinki Haaga
Restaurant Merimakasiini is the most legendary seafood restaurant in the city and sits right along the waterfront, so you get some amazing views while you eat. There's a great selection on the menu and everything is fresh and local which is fantastic. They have a lunch menu too, which is an ideal option if you're wanting to save money. There are also non-seafood options to choose from as well. This is one of the best restaurants in Helsinki so don't miss out!
Fisken pa Disken is located in the heart of the city on the top floor of the Kamppi Shopping Centre. This restaurant has a more modern approach to seafood than others. Everything is very fresh and local here as well. It's in a great location next to one of the main stations too. I opted for fish and chips, but there are lots of options such as lobster and king crab!
Hiisi Homes Haaga is perfectly located to explore all of the key landmarks in the city, including the iconic Helsinki Cathedral in Senate Square or the old market hall, which is only a short walk from the cathedral. In fact, I can guarantee that most of the things you'll put on your Helsinki itinerary will be within walking distance of one another.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Hiisi Homes Helsinki Haaga <<
So, now that you know where to stay in Helsinki, it's time to start planning what to do in the Finnish capital. Check out my recommendations here, which includes the best things to see in Helsinki in September (or whenever really) as well as the best places to eat! Thinking of going on a day trip from Helsinki? Tuusula is a lovely spot surrounded by nature (click here to check out an amazing villa to rent). Or, hop on the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn to explore an enchanting part of Estonia. Don't forget to follow me on my next adventure on Instagram!
