Location - The hotel was centrally located and about 15 minutes walk from the train station. It took a bit longer through snow and with luggage. I would probably get a taxi if I had a lot of luggage and there was snow. I had just one suitcase on wheels and if the pavement wasn't gritted it was a bit of a struggle! Also check-in was not until 4pm, however, it is possible to store luggage in a locker at the train station (for a small fee) if you arrive before 4pm.

No Reception - I have not stayed in a hotel with no reception before so was a bit anxious. The process is quite straightforward though! You just type in the door code (from an email) into a device on the main door and then can gain access. There are two doors into the building and each require the same code. Once inside there is an additional door which requires the code on the floor level with your room. I walked past the hotel the first time because the main entrance door was a bit hidden underneath the hotel sign.

The Hotel / Rooms - It is classed as a budget hotel although it cost 73 Euros for one night. I think it is good value if you were sharing the room with several people. There was one double bed which was made up of 2 singles and another sofa bed. Also there was space to store belongings in a handy cupboard/storage unit with hangers. The room has a "dining" area situated next to the sofa. It had a bench, chairs, kettle, microwave. I noticed only 2 towels in the bathroom so that might be a problem if several people were staying in the room. Also I didn't experience any noise problems in the night even though my room faced a busy road. As I left the hotel to checkout the following day I did hear a neighbouring rooms alarm go off so I am not sure how good the insulation was between rooms.

Minor Dislikes - One of the lifts appeared to not be working and the additional lift was very slow. It was a bit of a trek walking up four floors with luggage. When I arrived the bathroom smelt a bit. Later this smell was not quite so apparent but even so it was not very nice.

Tip - I walked to a tower called Pyynikki Observation Tower where there is a nice little restaurant at the bottom. It was worth it for a delicious donut and a cup of tea for 3 euros :-)

I would stay here again if the room price was a bit lower. It seems other people have stayed at this hotel for less so maybe the night I was there just happened to be more expensive!

My girlfriend and I stayed at this hotel with 6 other friends – with 4 people staying in 2 rooms. We found booking over the internet very easy and received the room number and door codes straight away via email. I have never stayed in a hotel with no reception and it was very easy!! When we got to the hotel we were very happy with the location.. it is on the main road 5 mins walk away from everywhere and right next to the shops – about a 30 minute walk to the large tower and theme park – which I would definitely recommend going to!

For the price I was very impressed with the standard of the rooms! We got a huge TV that I was able to connect my personal dvd player to. We could also access the internet on it! We went when it was “Vappu” which was a major bank holiday where all the Finns drink and have a laugh. Taking this into consideration the hotel was very busy and we sometimes had to wait a while to get up to our floor using the lifts. But that was expected.

We love Finland and will definitely go back – and I would stay here again. We got a fridge and a microwave and hair dryer which I didn’t expect at the price. The beds were reasonably comfy as were the pull out beds. The pillows and duvet and covers were very comfy.

I would recommend a small Italian restaurant called Dennis – to get there walk across the bridge and it is down one of the small side streets on the left as you approach Stockman shopping Centre. I would also recommend Tivalis sandwich restaurant in Finlayson across from the cinema. You can see the large Finlayson building from the main road near the main square. Haralds is a Viking restaurant that is really nice – but quite pricey. Have a nice trip and eat lots of Karl Fazer chocolate!

There is nothing to recommend. Rooms are pricey, broken down, lack normal amenities (iron?)

More critical though is the breakfast place was simply closed. No explanation, no notification.

It would be one thing if the hotel was cheap. But it is assuredly not.

Go elsewhere.

Firstly, how to get there. If you're arriving by train, or by the Tokee Bus from a Ryanair flight at Pirkkala, then you will start at the train station. The hotel is located on the very top of the main street, Hämeenkatu. Stay on the right hand side of this street and keep walking, over the bridge, past the central square and the road will rise a bit. It's on the corner on the final block.

If you're coming in on the Pauna regular bus service from the airport, then its number 61. You can either get off at the central square, Keskutori, and walk up to it as above, or else stay on the bus. It will pass the hotel, which will be on your right. Sadly it doesn't stop at the bus stop outside it, but when it crosses the double road at the top of the main street, get off at the next stop on Pirkankatu. There will be a red brick church on your left hand side, Aleksanterin Kirrko. It's only a short walk back towards the main street to get to the hotel.

Now for the hotel. I really was impressed. For the price you pay, it's more than worth it. All that you're losing out on is the absence of any staff at reception. Something which I can do without for the most part! But you do see cleaners around, you're not completely on your own.

I had no problems with other guests causing any disturbance or noise. The hotel was fairly full too. I'd a room facing the main street and the side street, and there wasn't any major noise from the traffic and people walking by down below. It didn't cause me any problems.

The only issue some people might have with this is, what if you get some rowdy crowd causing noise in the room next to you? Well, being truthful you can get that in any hotel, can't you? If that happened most times it would be an annoyance but you wouldn't report it to reception anyway unless it became really bad. The same thing applies here, if this ever happened you can report it by calling the phone number provided and the mobile staff will come ever to check it out. But just to reiterate, I had no problems at all with other guests, it was very peaceful altogether.

The room was big enough. Wood floorings with red and white decor. I was only staying by myself but it can accomodate 4 people. The bathroom was good, a great shower too! There's a kettle with tea and coffee, a microwave and a fridge provided. The in room television is large at 28" and you can access the internet from it too, if you subscribe to the business pack. There's a keyboard with an in built mouse provided. A hairdryer too, should you need one! The bed is a double and very comfortable. The sofa was good too and it can be turned into a fold out bed also.

There's a grocery store opposite, which has almost anything you'd need. The street behind there, there's a Lidl. The indoor market, Kauppahalli, is also on this road, have a look! Down behind the train station there's a bigger supermarket again. I did use these, as it was handly having a microwave at your disposal.

The location is perfect. Although its at the other end from the train station, it's only 10 minutes walk at best and it gives you the opportunity to stroll over the bridge and see the Tammerkoski rapids again! To your right when you step out of the hotel, is the way to Pyyknikki, which is a beautiful wooded area between the two lakes and there's a stone observation tower there too, with a small cafe that serves the best doughnuts around!

In essence, I thought this hotel was fantastic. It offered me everything I needed and I'd stay here again, anytime. The local people are the friendliest I've ever met and this really counts when you're travelling on your own! I'd disagree though with what some others have said on here about Tampere being only worth a one night stay, I stayed here for 4 nights and I could have stayed longer, I wanted to! It's a wonderful city.