As my first hotel in Tallinn on my Baltic Explorer trip, I selected the Radisson Blu Sky, using points of the Club Carlson program and the Bonus Award Night feature of my US Bank Visa card (no longer available). It is one of the top rated hotels in Tallinn on Tripadvisor and it proved to be a great choice.
Location: The Radisson Blu is located off one of the main roads near the Old Town of Tallinn and on the edge of the new business district. As one of the tallest buildings in Tallinn, it has a great view over the Old Town, and is only a 10 minute walk away. There is a large mall just across the street, with plenty of stores, including a large supermarket and with a bus station underneath, giving you easy access to other parts of town.
Service: The front desk staff was quick to check me in, recognized my Club Carlson status and upgraded me to a Business Class room, despite being on an award reservation. He gave me all the necessary information about the hotel, a map of town and some suggestions for my visit. Before departure, I requested a late check-out which was granted without issues and was as quick and friendly as the check-in. Housekeeping was thorough and timely with no complaints on my part. The staff of the rooftop bar was friendly, but not very attentive.
Room: I loved the upgraded Business Class room: It was on the top floor and facing the Old Town. With the sun setting behind it, I had an amazing view. The room had a very comfy king-size bed with European style dual comforters and plenty of pillows. There was a large work desk along the wall with a large TV and a chair by the window. Hidden in a closet were coffee/tea facilities including my beloved Nespresso machine – score! – as well as a large (laptop size) safe. The entrance area had a bench for luggage and two open closets for clothes. The room has nice hard wood floors and is held in contemporary, muted design – inoffensive, but not as fashionable as other Radisson Blu properties. The bathroom was in white and black tiles with a shower-over-tub combination with partial glass wall. The sink was in black marble with plenty of space for toiletries. Towels and amenities were standard Radisson Blu quality. The aircondition in the room was working fine and is the European style, allowing you only to adjust the preset temperature up or down a little, but not select a temperature outright! Oh, did I mention that the room had an amazing view?
Amenities: While I’m fawning about the view, I might as well call the rooftop bar “Lounge 24” the best amenities of the hotel. Located on the 24th floor with indoor and outdoor seating, you can enjoy 360 views over Tallinn, both the old and new town. It’s great, even if you are traveling solo – there are some hanging chairs to enjoy the sunset with a drink in hand! They have an extensive wine and cocktail list, as well as some snacks, although my drink wasn’t great! It’s one of the few hotel bars I’d recommend to visit, even if you are not staying at the Radisson Blu – the views just can’t be beat! I didn’t try the lobby lounge – it could be at any upscale hotel in the world…
The Radisson Sky also has a good size gym with enough equipment to get a proper workout. It’s open 24 hours and has it’s own sauna, like you’d expect from a good hotel in Northern Europe. There is also a full spa offering massages and beauty services, with its own private sauna, if you prefer not to share with others. It was open to me staying in a Business Class room, but required reservation! All of the amenities were in great shape and well attended to – I didn’t find any issues during my stay!
Conclusion: I had a great stay at the Radisson Blu Sky hotel in Tallinn: From the friendly and competent service to the nice room, complete amenities and, yes, stunning views, it was an all-around convincing performance and I’d stay again in a heartbeat. While I stayed on points, when I checked for regular rates, it is often not much more expensive than the less impressive Park Inn Central or other hotels in town. If you want to treat yourself to a little luxury, check out their rates and you might find a dream stay at a great price!