The best hotels in Tampere

Are you planning to visit the best city in Finland, but don’t know where to stay?
This post is for you: The ultimate list of the best hotels in Tampere, Finland.

*This post contains Booking.com affiliate links

Okay, I just made a clickbait. I just love how all of us travel bloggers are trying to convince you that their posts are so ultimate that you never need to read another post on the topic.
Just a bit playing here but also…

Local’s tips for Tampere hotels

I think it’s fair to give a little bit of background for this post at the beginning.
I was born and raised in the city of Tampere and lived here until my 30s.
After more than 7 nomadic years and life abroad (plus a decade spent in Helsinki) I’m returning to Tampere with my hubby, who is a new kid in town (and our Belgradian black cat Nero, also new in Tampere).

I can tell you that we are quite excited about settling down. In good and bad.
It’s even a bit scary, but also fun to see this place so familiar (Tampere) with fresh eyes.
I think it gives me a lot of opportunities to see “my” city from different angles. The way that visitors see it.

I haven’t shared too much travel info about Finland, as our life has been elsewhere and I think it’s about time. I will start with this post about the best hotels in Tampere.
Lame, right? Like every blogger didn’t do it already?
Actually, no one did. I googled.

I see that “my” town isn’t world famous yet.
Btw, did you know that our famous former PM Sanna Marin started her political career – where else than in the city of Tampere?

Tampere – the best city in Finland

In the beginning, I called Tampere the best city in Finland. It was not a joke and not written because I’m biased (though of course, I am).
At the beginning of 2024, my birth town was once again voted the best city in Finland.
Amongst Finns, Tampere has been voted year after year the best place to live and to visit.
So, are you already planning a visit to Tampere? At least you should!

In case you wonder where are all the pics of these fancy hotels in this post, the simple answer is that they don’t exist. I’ve been away for so long time, that I don’t have any new ones, and older ones are in my archives. (I found a few mobile phone snaps though.)
Those archives are in Tampere, and I’m not yet. But I wanted to write this article now in case you will visit my city before I get there.

Just click on the links to see photos provided on *Booking.com.
(Links are my affiliates, but clicking doesn’t cost anything and I’m not paid for the clicks, only if you decide to book via them.)

Where to stay in Tampere

I stay at home. Sorry, couldn’t help it as we bought a nice new apartment by the lake, only a couple of kilometers from the central square “Keskustori”. I’m not bragging. This is Finland.

We might rent out our apartment later on when we continue traveling, but for now, we keep it for ourselves to enjoy.
But feel free to contact me if you are looking for a short-term rental in Tampere.
We might be traveling and/or need a cat-sitter.

There are of course hostels, Airbnb’s, and other short-term apartment options available too, but I will start out listing the best hotels in Tampere.

As a resident of the city for about half of my life and my family still living there, I never need to stay in a hotel in Tampere. But as a professional photographer, I have visited most of the hotels for my work.
I’ve done editorial photoshoots, wedding photography, and so on, in most of the hotels in Tampere.
Also, Tampere is such a small town anyway, that we all who originate from there, do know pretty much all the boutiques, restaurants, hotels (and people).
That being said, I haven’t been to the latest arrivals of the hotel scene.
I’ll need to check those out when I’m back and settled.

What is the best location to stay

You might be wondering how to choose the right neighborhood to stay in Tampere, but trust me, that isn’t a problem at all.

Almost all the hotels are in the center of the city, and the center of Tampere is really small.
Most hotels are only 1-2 kilometers (one mile) apart from each other, so there is not much reason to choose location-wise.
In the central area, everything is within walking distance to, well, anything. There wouldn’t be much point in telling you to choose this or that based on the hotel’s location.

Anyhow, I will give some location-based information, as you might be attending a special occasion and want to be only two minutes away from the venue rather than a twenty-minute walk apart.
Especially in the freezing winter temperatures with the icy ground.

The best hotels in Tampere

So this is the ultimate list of the best hotels in Tampere – but not in any particular order.

1. Ilves

I said all the hotels are in the center of the city, but this is the most center you can get.
There is no way you could miss seeing this hotel while walking in the center of Tampere.

In my opinion, to be honest, this hotel built in the 80’s isn’t exactly the best example of modern architecture.
But there it is. The grey tower stands proud right in the middle, by Tammerkoski, rapids that divide the town.
On its Eastern bank.

That’s important: everyone from Tampere has an opinion on whether the left or right bank of the river is the best side to live.
I skipped the side when I was 30, and how funny ever that might sound, it was a much harder decision than moving abroad.

Before we move on there is…

Something you should know about Tampere

Another important thing to know about Tampere: This is The ice hockey town of Finland.
If you are anyhow familiar with the topic, you know that ice hockey is a big thing in Finland in general. But Tampere takes it much further.

Do not be surprised if the first question to start a small talk with you is “Tappara or Ilves?”.
(There is also a team called KooVee, but that’s not even counted.)
Everyone has their opinion. If you don’t, make up your mind fast.
It doesn’t matter if you pick up the wrong team and there will not be a fistfight.
But you do need to have an opinion on this.

That being said… This stupid hotel chose the name “Ilves”.
After all these decades I’m still waiting for the Hotel Tappara.
Okay, I think they chose the name after the animal. Ilves means lynx.
You know, the wild animal that lives in our forests.
But I continue to be suspicious.

Hotel Ilves – why to stay there?

Location, location, location. And the scenery!
The facade may be too much 80’s style, but take it this way: if you are inside of the hotel, you don’t see it. It might actually be the only place in Tampere where you cannot see it.

I’m just kidding here, it’s not that bad, for real. The Sokos Hotel Ilves has been renovated and their rooms are all fine.
If you can afford it, I recommend you to book a suite with a private sauna and amazing views over the city.
I’ve done some photoshoots in one of their suites and I’d die to be able to live there!
That doesn’t make any sense… but whatever.

When I was young (yes I sound old and I am) Hotel Ilves nightclub was famous for throwing posh parties. Maybe they still are, I’m not sure. I’ve been there only for my work as I’m more into heavy metal bars. (Yep, I’m a Finn.)

Ah, the name of the hotel is nowadays Original Sokos Hotel Ilves. But it remains just “Hotelli Ilves” among the residents of Tampere.
And it is called ILVES, not LIVES, even less ELVIS.
I’ll teach you the pronunciation if you’ll drop by.
No need to Google guess anyway.

Just *book your stay at Ilves here

Omg, this post will be so long that you’re gonna miss your flight!
Thank god I’m an introverted Finn and not some talkative Southern guy.
I’ll promise to make it shorter from now on. At least I try to.

2. Tammer

This hotel is a legend!

Radisson Blue Grand Hotel Tammer is the full name. At the moment at least.
What’s wrong with people naming hotels nowadays?
Yea, yea, I know. They need to have all the chains and owners mentioned.

Despite the official name, in Tampere, we call this hotel simply by its original name Tammer.
As the name states, it stands by the Tammerkoski, the rapids that formed the whole city around its banks.

Blaa blaa blaa Hotel Tammer was built in 1929 and is one of the oldest still operating hotels in Finland. Many films have been shot here and Tammer has also been portrayed in numerous books.
I’ve done some photoshoots here too, and I love their classic style. Ah, those old-time vibes!

Tammer has hosted many famous guests, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin being one to mention.
Hotel Tammer’s restaurant is also worth trying. In the summertime, they also have a nice terrace in a small garden.
Want to try a Finnish sauna in your privacy? It’s possible here.
Hotel Tammer offers suites with a sauna.

*Book your stay at Tammer here

3. Rosso

I hope you didn’t book at Rosso. This is what your hotel & room would look like.

If you are a fan of Kaurismäki movies, you’ll recognize this place.
Yep, the Kaurismäki Movie Rosso was filmed in this hotel.

I used to live only a 2 min walk away from this hotel and have a lot of memories from here since my childhood. I probably ate my first-ever pizza in their restaurant.

Reason to book at Rosso

None. Zero. Nada.
If you are also a fan of Monty Python as I am, I’d say this is the Hotel del Sol. It was demolished a long time ago. There is a new apartment building on the spot.

If you are interested in staying in short-term apartments, let me know in the comments and I can share some info with you or might even write a new article on the topic.

4. Mordor Torni

Torni means simply tower.
This is one of the newest hotels in Tampere and hence its black exterior it was renamed Mordor Tower by the locals.
What’s worse. Again the real name. I needed to Google it to get it right.
Here it is: Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Tampere.

Some people absolutely hate it, but I don’t think it looks too bad. I mean the architecture of the hotel, not the name. Or maybe both.
We do have a small population and a whole lot of land, so we Finns are used to low-story buildings.
Try to build anything higher than 12 floors and you’ll be doomed.
But Tampere is looking up and forward. And our hotels are often fully booked, so why not?

This hotel’s rooftop bar is popular amongst the locals too. Climb up there (no, take an elevator) and you’ll see why.
The view over the city is gorgeous and you can almost feel to be at the same level as the famous Näsinneula.
You aren’t really, but Näsinneula being the highest observation tower (168 m) in the Nordic countries, since its opening in 1971, we’ve never before been in any other building that gives a similar view.

Reason to stay at Torni

The view over the city I already mentioned. But also this new hotel is only a few steps away from the railway station (the central and the only station) and in very close proximity to the Nokia Arena ( a 5-min walk).

*Check their availability here

5. Lapland Hotels Arena

Lapland, what?
We Finns often giggle at tourists who think they can visit Lapland in one day from the Southern Finland cities.
It’s a thousand-kilometer drive anyway. One way. You can’t do that in one day.
But there is an option. If you don’t have time to go to Lapland, let Lapland come to you.
Taste a bite of Lapland in Lapland hotels.

One option is the Lapland Hotel Arena, one of the latest additions to the Tampere hotel scene.
Forget about the tacky wanna-be authentic places, this hotel does it with style.

Disclaimer: I have never set foot in their residence. Simply because of my nomad years. I have visited Finland so rarely during the last years, that I haven’t been able to check this place out. It’s brand new anyway.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that their location is perfect for all travelers who visit Tampere because of sports or other important occasions happening in the new Nokia Arena.
This hotel is situated inside of a Nokia Arena (floors 6-11).

Top reason to stay in Lapland Hotels Arena

If you are visiting Tampere for some special occasion, in this case meaning something interesting happening in Nokia Arena, you will love this option:
Lapland Hotels Arena offers rooms with a balcony offering a view right to the arena!
Pretty cool, right?

I’ve heard their restaurants are also pretty amazing. Haven’t tried it yet, but here is one proof:
Tampere has an annual pintxo-fiesta Tamperrada which is said to be the best pintxo-fiesta in Northern Europe. In 2023 Lapland Hotels Arena’s restaurant Saivo Bar & Kitchen won the whole game.

So pick what you want, stay here in a regular room, book a VIP style, or just take a bite in their restaurant.
For booking a table, check directly at the restaurant, but here you can choose your hotel room to stay:

Check it out here: *Lapland Hotels Arena

Edit. 19.01.2024:
A friend of mine was reading this post while she indeed was lying in a bed in this hotel and she wanted me to add this: She said that the breakfast at Lapland Hotels Arena was amazing and had a lot of vegan options. So this came fresh from a customer written on the spot. (Thanks for the review Meeri!)

Please note that this is a hotel chain that also has *another hotel in Tampere (only a few hundred meters away, though)

6. Holiday Club Tampereen Kehräämö

Wow, isn’t that a name? But half of it is indeed just a Finnish name.
This spa hotel is located in the former factory.

Not sure how to translate it, but it is some kind of a mill.
Tampere was built around the fabric industry and Tampereen Kehräämö is located in the old industrial building.

This is a bit further away from the center, but still only two kilometers away. If you don’t like walking, you can ride a city bus.

Why to stay in Tampereen Kehräämö

The reason to have this on my list is the location by the Näsijärvi “Näsi Lake” and because of the spa, this hotel offers.
I don’t know about you, but at least I do love tranquil havens with a spa.
Nothing fancy, but a peaceful place to relax.

You may *book it here

*

I see this post getting so long, that you are not going to miss your flight only, but also next year’s holiday, so I think it’s better to quit here or you won’t trust me being a Finn at all.

I will share more travel tips to my birth town when I get my flights booked and settle down to search the latest trends in Tampere.
(It just takes a while as it’s too hard to leave Serbia.)

Welcome to Tampere!

Btw, have you been to Tampere? What was your favorite place or thing to do?
Would love to see your comments!

In case you wonder, it’s not always cold in Finland. This is shot early evening in the last days of August.
This is my corner bar in Tampere – and the oldest pub in town!

*Affiliate links on this post are from my partner *Booking.com and the hotels mentioned are not involved. They don’t have the slightest idea what I’m writing about them, or that I am writing at all.
If you book your stay through my link, it doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it helps me to write these posts for you for free. Thank you so much for your support!