Where is it?
GLO Hotel Airport is the only hotel which is actually located inside the terminal building at Helsinki Vantaa airport.
The hotel is located landside on the arrivals level of terminal 2, the terminal used by Finnair, OneWorld and Skyteam. The hotel can also be used if departing or arriving at terminal 1. Terminal 1 and terminal 2 are connected both airside and landside, but it requires a short walk.
The hotel is clearly signposted in the arrivals hall of terminal 2. The entrance is located one floor below the arrivals level and can be reached using the escalators or the lift.
The arrival experience
The location of the hotel is excellent. It took 30 seconds to reach the hotel after exiting from the arrivals hall 2B in terminal 2, and overall not more than about 10 minutes from the moment the plane touch down, travelling with only hand luggage.
There is an escalator from the arrivals hall down to the hotel and a restaurant. I had passed it several times before without actually taking notice of it and I never realised there was in fact a hotel down there.
I arrived late in the evening at around 11 pm. A couple arrived just a minute before me but the check-in process was swift and I had to wait about two minutes before it was my turn At the same time I was also informed about the breakfast arrangements in the morning.
The room
Located in the basement of an airport terminal the hotel is obviously not one of the largest in the Helsinki airport area. But rather surprisingly there are in fact no less than 76 rooms in the hotel.
There are basically two room categories – GLO Smart and GLO Comfort. The GLO Smart rooms are smaller but still have capacity for up to two guests, either in a 140 cm bed or a 160 cm bed.
The GLO Comfort rooms are somewhat larger and can accommodate three guests with an extra bed, or even four guests using a sofa.
I had booked a GLO Smart Room. A room with a 140 cm bed would have been sufficient for single occupancy, but they were all sold out so I was given a room with a 160 cm bed.
The room measured 11.5 sqm so obviously it was not very large. But it had a work desk, a TV, a small bedside table and even a small minibar. To be fair the hotel had made good use of the 11.5 sqm and the very limited space available. The room did not feel cramped.
There was also a small adjacent bathroom with toilet and shower.
One of the nicest surprises was the bed, which actually came with a remote control. This meant the bed could be adjusted. As I usually enjoy sleeping with my head and shoulders high, this was much appreciated.
The room also came with the GLO Hotels mascot, waiting on the bed. Apparently these can also be purchased to bring home.
Food and drinks
The hotel offers a lobby bar which is open from 9 am until very late, 1.30 am, offering drinks and snacks.
There is no restaurant inside the hotel, but there is one right outside called Cesar’s Little Italy. And of course there are plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes in the arrivals hall. There is also a supermarket there which is open late.
Other facilities
Free wireless internet is offered throughout the hotel and there is even a small gym. And in fact the hotel also offers a meeting room, just one, called Journey.
Otherwise, with all the services available in the terminal building, just seconds away, there is little need for any more facilities inside the hotel.
Service
Friendly and efficient service at the reception. I decided to settle the bill already in the evening, so the morning check-out was very swift.
Breakfast
The hotel does not serve breakfast but for most room rates hotel guests are given a breakfast voucher which can be used at six different food outlets in the terminal building.
The closest one is the restaurant right outside the hotel, Cesar’s Little Italy, where a proper buffet breakfast is on offer in the morning.
Airside it is also possible to use the coupon at O’Learys, where there is also a buffet-style breakfast available for those who want to eat properly.
For hotel guests with limited time before an early morning flight, or who just prefer a light breakfast in the morning, it is possible to redeem the voucher for a grab and go breakfast, which typically includes a sandwich, a pastry, juice and coffee or tea. There are four options for a grab and go breakfast, two airside and two landside.
Since I was leaving Helsinki airport by plane in the morning and had access to the Finnair lounges, I decided to have breakfast in the lounge instead.
Final impression
The location of the hotel is excellent, 30 seconds from the exit of the arrivals hall, the best location of all the hotels at Helsinki airport. Although the room was small it was well-appointed and they had made good use of the space. It did not feel cramped. Overall this was a bit better than expected.
Be the first to comment