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Hotel GLO

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  • Kluuvikatu 4
     Helsinki 00100
    +358 10 3444 400
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MojoGoes
MojoGoes
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
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Editor Pick

Hotel GLO - A GLO-ing Review

  • November 7, 2008
  • Rated 5 of 5 by MojoGoes from New York, New York
Hotel GLO - A GLO-ing Review

Situated just a block from Esplanade Park (where a seagull is perpetually perched atop the statue of Runeberg), Hotel GLO is the smaller, boutique hotel owned by the more luxurious and expensive Hotel Kamp around the corner. The street itself is conducive to walking and shopping as there is little vehicular traffic and the area is a central shopping district. In fact, connected through the lobby of the hotel is a sort of mall. That is, there is a long corridor connecting the storefronts so, I assume, one can shop freely during the winter months when Finland gets bitterly cold.
As you enter the GLO, you are greeted by dark, warm colors. To your left is a large bar with tables and waiter-service. To the right is reception where the concierge and crew are all exceptionally friendly and fluent in English. Check in takes moments and a bank of small elevators takes you up to your floor.
The hotel is deceptively big; each floor is a series of longer corridors than one would expect. The doors are large and paneled with a burnished wood, adding to the overall contemporary feel that is so prevalent in Finnish design. The room was spacious and well-appointed. The wood floors were dark wood, maybe mahogany, the chair at the desk was leather, the TV was a nice-sized flatscreen. To conserve energy, the keycard must be inserted into a slot near the entrance before anything will turn on. It's a good system, as it helps you to remember to take the card with your when you leave.
The bathroom was one of the more curious parts of the room. Slightly raised from the rest of the room, it shared one wall with the entry hallway and another with the room. The door--I should say doors--was what was strange. They were nesting doors of frosted glass that met at the corner and didn't seem to quite close fully. It was a very cool idea, allowing light to pass through the translucent panels, but it would have been just as well served by having one sliding door, not two. That said, the black-tiled bathroom was spotless and entirely functional. The shower was a large and had great pressure, something that can not be heralded enough after a long flight.
Internet access is free, though you must obtain a code from the front desk for every 24-hour period. The television has many English stations and offers movies as well. One of the nicest things about the room, however, was the bed. Aside from being large and comfortable, it was made up in a curious way. Instead of one set of sheets and covers, etc., there was one comforter for each side. This was, to me, ingenious. One need only share a bed with a cover-hog once to appreciate this masterful piece of Finnish engineering.
The restaurant in the hotel is on the second floor and serves an outstanding breakfast. The bar in the lobby provides great drinks and nice views of the street. If you can get a good deal at the GLO, I highly recommend it. The staff was wonderful, helping us with restaurant suggestions and anything else we needed. The general attitude in Finland is friendly and the fact that just about everyone speaks flawless English certainly helps.

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