The Briefing
- A new budget hotel is opening at Helsinki’s central railway station.
- Room rates start at just 40 euros per night.
- The Japanese capsule hotel concept has arrived in Finland.
Starting from the beginning of the coming year, a new budget hotel will begin operations in the western part of the main railway station in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The hotel, named Uumen Hotels, will feature 150 small rooms with prices starting at just 39 euros per night.
While cheaper hostels can be found in Finland for around 20 euros per night, they require sharing rooms with others, and the rooms are not as modern.
This hotel’s concept is similar to the Uumen hotel that opened in Tampere last year. Hotels with such small rooms are a new concept in Finland.
It draws inspiration from Japanese capsule hotels. However, its rooms are slightly more spacious than capsules and feature real doors.
“The location is excellent, the rooms are made of high-quality materials, and the safety of our guests is guaranteed. We haven’t compromised on those. The only thing we have compromised on is the use of space, said Eetu Rahkola, one of the hotel operators, to Helsingin Uutiset.
Guests can check in via a machine and receive a wristband to open their doors.
The hotel rooms will be soundproof and well-ventilated.
The operators believe that guests visit the hotel primarily to sleep and rest after exploring the city. Each room is equipped with a bed, a table, and a clothes hanger.
Bathrooms and toilets are shared by all guests. A separate room is provided for storing large bags, while smaller bags can fit inside the rooms.
Guests can check in via a machine and receive a wristband to open their doors. Breakfast is not included in the room rate. However, the operators plan to arrange for services like breakfast and gym access to be available nearby for a small additional fee.
Capsule hotels are very popular, especially in Japan, where people need a small, affordable place to spend the night.
In an expensive country like Finland, the opening of such accessible hotels provides significant financial relief for foreign students, workers, and budget-conscious tourists.
