EmptyNest

Hi. I'm in Helsinki on business for a couple of weeks and decided to spend my weekend in Tallin. I'm planning on two nights. Any recommendations on where to stay? Old town or one of the nicer hotels like Swissotel?

I love the vibe of old towns - but I also like to be comfortable

Thanks

hsv

With regards to Old Town hotels I'd consider the Three Sisters for its nice combination of modern touches in medieval buildings. It often comes at very steep prices, though.
http://www.threesistershotel.com/

The Swissotel is about a 10 - 15 min walk from Old Town. I liked their rooms a lot and the walk would not deter me from staying there again, even though its surroundings (as anywhere in Tallinn outside Old Town's walls) are not very atmospheric.
Of the modern hotels outside Old Town I consider this the best option.
http://www.swissotel.com/EN/Destinat...ome/Hotel+Home

Louie_LI

I enjoyed my stay here, just inside the city walls: http://www.vanawiru.ee/index.php?lang=eng

This hotel is very new and modern, just outside the old city, and has a pool and sauna on the top floor:
http://www.nordichotels.eu/

Gordon_R

We really liked the Hotel St Petersbourg (note the spelling). It's a boutique hotel just a stone's throw from the Old Town square, with a wonderful historic atmosphere. Their sister hotel Schlossle is slightly pricier but also very well appointed and convenient for the Old Town.

iris1745

Hi; We had a good stay at the www.barons.ee that is right in the old town. See www.inyourpocket.com for information on Tallinn. Richard

EmptyNest

Thanks for the information. I decided to stay at Swissotel - I'm typing this as I look out my window at a view of old town. I booked an executive floor room and the view alone was worth it. Very comfortable, great service.

newyorkais35

EmptyNest,

I'll be in Tallin next month and was wondering if you took the high-speed ferry or if you flew? Please let me know which ferry company or airline you took and the cost, please.

Thank very much.

Ross

hsv

I really don't think flying is worth either the effort or time .
An express ferry crossing takes only 1.5 hours (Linda Line), 2 hours (Tallink) or 2.5 hours (Viking Line). Eckeroe Line has the most leisurely connection at 2.5 (Tallinn-Helsinki) and 3 hours (Helsinki-Tallinn). The ports in both cities are quite conveniently located so you lose little time on transfer.

http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/schedules/helTal/

http://www.vikingline.fi/timetables/...el_tal_ros.asp

http://www.lindaline.fi/en/

http://www.eckeroline.fi/en/document...spx?docID=1530

Flights take 35 minutes, but factor in more waiting and transfer times and it's probably a wash vs. the ferries.

http://www.blue1.com/en/other
http://www.finnair.com/finnaircom/wp...?locale=en_INT

newyorkais35

Thanks, hsav.

Ross

karenk2325

We are headed to Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius in Sept. for 10 days. We would appreciate knowing where you chose to stay in Tallinn and how it was. Any recommendations on where to go outside/inside Old Town? Restaurants?
Thanks,
Karen

iris1745

karenK; We did that exact itinerary five years ago. For us, we used www.eurolines.com for travel between cities. Very easy. If you considered this mode of transportation, get your ticket a day early. To repeat, good information for download on the three cities you are visiting. . www.inyourpocket.com Richard

karenk2325

Thanks Richard. We will check out InYourPocket for sure! Do you know if it's possible to take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki to Riga, or other town in Latvia? Karen

hsv

there aren't any ferries between Latvia and Estonia as far as I am aware. The route between the island of Saarema and Ventspils was cancelled in 2009.

iris1745

You can get a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki. From Helsinki to Riga you could take a flight, about one hour. Probably four to five hours total time, city center to city center.

hsv

Why would anyone want to take a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki only to board a flight to Riga from there?
Air Baltic offers 7 flights per day from Tallinn to Riga non-stop, flight time 55 min.
Alternatively there are regular buses or one could rent a car.

iris1745

hsv; I agree, but that is the information/route KarenK requested on June 2nd at 11:21am.

hsv

If the ferry via a 3rd country is a must, Tallink could be an option: Tallinn - Stockholm and then Stockholm to Riga.
http://www.tallinksilja.com/en/