It was my first time visiting Estonia. After some 16 hours of flying and layovers, I needed a good night’s rest. The Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn, delivered in ways I didn’t expect.
The hotel’s nice but unassuming façade did a good job of hiding what was waiting inside. Sleek and modern, the lobby makes a sparkly first impression. Check-in was fast and efficient, and in a matter of minutes, my daughter and I were on our way to our fourth-floor room.
Accommodations
At first, I will admit I was a bit concerned about being on the fourth floor and the possibility of street noise. My worries eased when we stepped off the elevator and were greeted with the entrance to the hotel’s relaxation area. It was a wonderful sign of things to come. Much more on that later.
Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn features 287 rooms and suites. I stayed in a Family Room. The room had a sleek but still welcoming and comfortable feel. Though I expected two beds (one for myself and another for my grown daughter), there was a king bed, a pair of modern chairs, and a spacious desk that was handy for keeping electronics charged and organized.
The Family Room classification made me curious, so the next day, when I had a bit more energy, I started poking around the room. It turns out one of the chairs folds out into a bed that’s a bit smaller in size than a twin. I could see it working for a small child, but my instinct tells me a tween or older wouldn’t be very comfortable.
A majority of the exterior wall was windows, so by day, natural light was plentiful. Quality blackout curtains did their job blocking out early Estonian sunrises. The bathroom offered a single sink vanity with plenty of space for two and a shower/bathtub combination with a rainfall shower head and wand.
Standard amenities included a Lavazza coffee machine, kettle, bottled water, and a small refrigerator. However, the fridge was dominated by mini-bar items for purchase, making personal use difficult.
I don’t typically take much notice of hotel bathrobes, but I was thrilled to have them in this case, as the relaxation area was an easy stroll down the hallway.
Public Spaces and Facilities
What exactly is a relaxation area? It includes a swimming pool and three saunas – a Finnish sauna, a steam sauna, and a sanarium – in addition to a locker room and a small spa facility with bookable treatments such as massages and facials. Windows in the pool area and the sanarium offer glimpses of the city and welcome natural light.
You don’t have to book a spa treatment to use the relaxation area. It’s open to all guests and is a particularly wonderful perk when fighting jet lag. Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., I had it all to myself for nearly 45 minutes one morning, until my daughter joined me.
Dining Options
Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn features two restaurants. MEKK is on the first floor, and the rooftop restaurant and bar, ISSEI, is on the 24th floor.
MEKK serves breakfast buffet-style. In some cases, it’s included with your booking. In other instances, there’s an additional fee, so be sure to check before dining. Expect a diverse selection of hot and cold options ranging from eggs and crepes topped with fruit and dulce de leche, as well as local specialties including cold smoked salmon, marinated herring, and pickled beetroot.
ISSEI serves Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. I didn’t have the opportunity to dine at the restaurant, but I did make it to the rooftop bar around sunset (approximately 10:30 p.m. in July) for a cocktail. Get there. The view of Tallinn is spectacular.
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get a Car Rental
- Get a universal plug adapter
Good to Know
The hotel is less than a 15-minute drive from Tallinn Airport. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful.
Once on the property, you can walk into Old Town Tallinn in mere minutes. Along with a variety of shops and eateries, popular sights include Town Hall Square, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Danish King’s Garden. The flower market is a bit smaller than I expected, but it offers colorful photo opportunities.
I was in Estonia to join Holland America’s Baltic & Scandinavian Capitals sailing aboard Nieuw Statendam. Along with Tallinn, the itinerary visits Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, and more.
Rates for a Family Room at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn start at $286.
Hotel Scoop has reviewed other hotel properties in Tallinn, including the Schlössle Hotel and the Hotel Telegraaf.
Review and photos by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Holland America cruise line, but as always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
