Privately owned by the Finnish YWCA, the Helka Hotel is housed in a somewhat shabby grey brick building, but don’t let this put you off. The small lobby features a light wood reception desk, which contrasts pleasingly with the dark-toned furniture and tiled floor. Varying in size, the 121 guestrooms are decorated in mixed pastel and beige colour schemes, with crisp bed linen and more light wood fittings. They are clean and well maintained, as are the recently renovated bathrooms. The Aurinko restaurant is located on the ground floor and boasts Scandinavian décor, with pale red/green fabrics and light yellow walls. There’s also an open kitchen and the venue serves International cuisine with some Finnish specialities. Everything is prepared in-house, the ice cream being a speciality. Overall, this property is a pleasant, affordable alternative to the higher-price chain hotels in Helsinki.