Trip Report – Swissotel Tallinn

by Adam

This is part three of an eight part trip report from my recent travels to Estonia and Finland. This report covers my first ever stay at a Swissotel.

If you’re looking for a chain hotel in Tallinn, there aren’t many choices. You have two Radisson Blu properties, a Park Inn by Radisson, and a Swissotel. The Swissotel normally runs about $20-$40 more than the Radisson Blu hotels, but was actually the same price during our time in Estonia. As such, we booked the Swissotel so that we could experience something new and test out their loyalty program, Swissotel Circle. Our rate was $109 per night.

A few weeks before arriving, I sent Swissotel Circle customer service an email and a copy of my SPG Platinum card to request a status match to their equivalent level, Zenit. I received a response back that they don’t generally do status matches and they certainly would not match to their top tier level. However, they agreed to give me a 30 day free trial at their mid tier level, Eleva. Swissotel locations can be found in Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. There is also a Swissotel in Chicago and one in Quito, Ecuador. Their loyalty program doesn’t provide a great many frequent flier or award stay benefits, but at the Eleva level I was entitled to executive club lounge access and complimentary daily breakfast, local phone calls, internet, gym access, and daily newspapers. The program also has interesting status reciprocity with both Fairmont Hotels & Resorts & Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Additionally, you can earn either 500 Miles & More miles per night or 500 Etihad Guest Miles per stay.

a tall building with a sign on it

a room with a white column and chairs

Check-in was quick and painless and I was upgraded from a Swiss Advantage Room to a Swiss Executive Room. The room was on a top floor and also had a great view of the port and the passing ships.

a room with a large bed and a desk

a bathroom with a tub and shower

The room and bathroom were extremely modern and comfortable. I’d rate the bed as one of the best I’ve ever slept in and the workspace was extremely functional. There were six outlets by the bed, another six by the desk, and built in converters. I really liked the small seating area by the window which allowed you to relax and enjoy the show out in the port. The bathroom was fantastic with a rain shower, full tub, heated towel racks and floors (important in Estonia), and modern sink.

In terms of location, the hotel is only about a 10 minute walk to the medieval old town (perhaps 12-15 when walking carefully on ice). Even better, right next to the hotel is a huge department store with a huge grocery store. I was there daily to stock up on waters, snacks, and some other in-room essentials.

The executive lounge was open for breakfast, snacks, cocktails, and appetizers. The evening cocktails and appetizer service were especially nice with several hot options available including tandoori chicken, ribs, eggplant, chicken satay, and more. There was also fresh salad, fruit, and desserts each night.

a room with a table and chairs

a table with food on it

a plate of food on a stove

a plate of food on a table

a table with different foods in bowls

The lounge never had more than two or three other people, yet the downstairs lobby bar and deli were always packed (though not in the hotel pictures hah).

a bar with black lamps and chairs

a display case with food on it

One other area of the hotel that I enjoyed, but was also always relatively empty was the pool. Besides a professional Russian swimmer or two (swim caps and all), I normally found myself alone in the really nice and heated pool area.

a indoor pool with a staircase

The hotel staff were extremely helpful with directions, restaurant recommendations, ferry times, etc. What made the stay even better? There was a Miles & More promo at the time offering quadruple miles (or 2,000 per night), which helped me get enough miles for a free intra-Europe flight when combined with some orphan M&M miles. One unique offering that I haven’t mentioned yet was a kid’s guest room with specific kid friendly updates in the bedroom and the bathroom. These rooms can be reserved in advance or requested at check-in (reservation recommended as there are only a few rooms).

a bedroom with two beds and a football ball

a bathroom with a tub and a flower

We really had a great stay at the Swissotel Tallinn and I was very happily surprised with the extreme modernness of the rooms and the amazing bathroom. I’m definitely open to checking out some of their other properties…especially when another mileage promotion comes around.

Up next – Tour of Tallinn

a snow covered street with buildings and people walking on it

a street with buildings in the background

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7 comments

The Weekly Flyer May 3, 2013 - 6:30 pm

How did you access the lounge?

Nice pictures!

Reply
adam May 3, 2013 - 8:12 pm

@The Weekly Flyer – The status match got me lounge access, very key!

Reply
Stephan Dupre May 6, 2013 - 9:57 am

Hello Adam,
I am happy to see you enjoyed your stay at Swissotel Tallinn… what a great place indeed.
I’m also happy you liked experiencing the perks of being an Eleva member.

Stephan Dupre
Director Loyalty Marketing
Swissotel Circle

Reply
Cook May 11, 2013 - 7:55 pm

Lounge access is nice and I would not quibble about that basic rate. IF you can get a basic upgrade – with lounge and WiF, on that nice rate, go for it, say “Thank you,” and move on. They are not a major chain and have no ‘special; locations, so take what you can get by being polite and let it go. They have already figured out that you won’t be a Frequent Guest, so don’t push your luck.

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Trip Report – Tour of Tallinn, Estonia - Point Me To The Plane May 23, 2013 - 9:28 am

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