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The Best Hotels in Tallinn, Estonia

Stroll the cobblestone streets of Tallinns charming Old Town
Stroll the cobblestone streets of Tallinn's charming Old Town | Courtesy of Schlossle Hotel / Expedia.com

Tallinn, the largest city in Estonia, is a compact capital by European standards – but what it lacks in size is more than offset by its gem of an old quarter. Now a Unesco World Heritage Site, Tallinn’s Old Town is among the best preserved medieval cities on the continent, and reason enough to visit Estonia. The city’s hotel inventory is broad with plenty of unique properties to stay at on a trip to the Baltics.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn

Hotel

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Located on Rävala boulevard in Estonia’s charming capital city, the hotel has a prime location in the medieval cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafés and shops as well as the Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century tower. Tallinn’s main square is in easy walking distance and is one of the many sites to visit in this UNESCO World Heritage Site city filled with character, history, palaces, churches, and other historic treasures. Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn features two restaurants, a rooftop restaurant and bar, ISSEI on the 24th floor, and MEKK on the first floor. ISSEI serves Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and is the first restaurant to offer Nikkei concept cuisine in the Baltics. In the hotel’s Estonian restaurant, MEKK its Executive Chef Rene Uusmees creates modern Estonian-inspired dishes and delicacies.

Palace Hotel Tallinn, a member of Radisson Individuals

Hotel

An aerial view of the Hotel Palace in Tallinn, on a street corner and lit up at night, with a view of the city in the background
Courtesy of Hotel Palace by TallinnHotels / Expedia.com

Designed by prominent Estonian architect Elmar Lohk in the 1930s, the venerable Palace is a landmark hotel overlooking Freedom Square. The celebrated blend of Art Deco and Chicago School architecture has spurred several renovations – the most recent in 2014 considerably upped its game. It appeals to mainly business clientele, while retaining the historic atmosphere – room decor favours clean lines and Scandi-style furniture, while the so-called garret floor rooms have skylight windows. All rooms feature reproduction landscapes by Estonian artist Konrad Mägi.

Hotel St Barbara

Hotel

A bed, armchairs and floor-to-ceiling windows with drapes in a hotel room at Hotel St. Barbara in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Hotel St. Barbara / Expedia.com

Just south of the Old Town and Freedom Square, St Barbara has distinctive grey limestone brickwork which gives this 1904 mansion-block a muscular yet attractively weathered look. Rooms are smart and comfortable with tub chairs and the odd piece of faintly vintage furniture – while one junior suite features Art Nouveau touches and a sliding wooden privacy screen. Baieri Kelder, the basement restaurant with barrel vaulting, specialises in German cuisine and has a good range of draught beers to match.

Hestia Hotel Barons

Resort

A bed, desk, armchair and red patterned carpet in a hotel room at Hestia Hotel Barons in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Hestia Hotel Barons / Expedia.com

The Barons has a pleasing location on a cobbled Old Town street junction, and the elegant masonry facade lends it instant appeal. The Chesterfield-filled reception with arched windows hints at even more characterful decor within. Formerly a bank, the main building has some lovely Art Nouveau detailing: bannister statues, ethereal female figures etched onto glass panes and stylised floral wallpaper. Rooms range from astutely sleek and modern, to more retro-styled chambers that mix Arts Nouveau and Deco with English country house in varying degrees.

My City Hotel

Hotel

Cobblestone streets outside the grand white facade of My City Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of My City Hotel / Expedia.com

Once the HQ of Soviet-era marine officers – note the decorative red star cresting the elegant classical facade – My City is owned by an Italian art collector and jazz aficionado. There’s no doubting these passions as some of his collection, featuring mainly 20th-century Italian artists, is displayed throughout the property while eclectic “shades of jazz” permeate the public areas. Pictures of jazz A-Listers who’ve stayed here during Tallinn’s annual jazz festival fill the breakfast room.

Hotel Imperial

Hotel

A bed with a red bolster, desk, chair and drapes over the large windows in a hotel room at Hotel Imperial in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Hotel Imperial / Expedia.com

On the western edge of the Old Town near the Patkuli Stairs and viewing platform, the small and cosy Imperial has been going strong for more than a century. Local lore has it this was the good-time venue of choice for the so-called Finnish Boys, Estonian soldiers volunteering during World War II in the Finnish Army. Now revived, polished and de-soldiered, it’s a curious mix of semi-vintage furniture, bolsters and random exposed brickwork. The popular bar’s still there and breakfast is included.

Original Sokos Hotel Viru

Hotel

A wood headboard and desk/table, chairs and a bed in a hotel room at Original Sokos Hotel Viru in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Original Sokos Hotel Viru / Expedia.com

This functional 1972 high-rise put up by the Soviets beside Tammsaare Park is a bit of a behemoth with conference rooms, restaurants and a shopping centre. On the 23rd floor lies the KGB Museum, originally a spying hub to monitor guests – particularly foreign guests – and exemplifying communism’s sinister surveillance state. These days you can (probably) trust the one-way mirrors in the snazzy rooms and suites, some of which incorporate the success stories of acclaimed Estonians into their quirky playful decor.

Hotel St Petersbourg

Hotel

Tables and chairs, a chandelier and funky artwork of dogs in the dining area at Hotel St Petersbourg in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Hotel St Petersbourg / Expedia.com
Home to two excellent restaurants, this Russian-inspired boutique hotel benefits from a premier location in the Old Town, inspired design and an overall atmosphere of luxury. Rooms and suites mix faux fur and splendid wooden floors with modern amenities. All rooms also have free access to the sauna in the morning.

Savoy Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Hotel

The exterior of Savoy Boutique Hotel at night, with people walking on the cobblestone street and seating outside, in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Savoy Boutique Hotel / Booking.com
The Savoy Boutique Hotel has nothing to do with the prestigious Savoy Hotel in London – but it’s still worth checking out for its Art Deco interior and elegant room design. With only 44 rooms, it has a smaller, more intimate feel, and everything is high-quality – from the Italian-made furniture to the historical details and modern amenities. There’s also a sophisticated restaurant, where you can enjoy Estonian cuisine at its finest.

Telegraaf

Spa Hotel

The elegant dining area, with gold-framed artwork on the walls, at Telegraaf in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Hotel Telegraaf / Expedia.com
This luxuriously converted telegraph exchange station is now home to the Telegraaf Hotel, one of the most prestigious establishments in the city. It retains beautiful marble floors and grand, spacious rooms, while the furniture and design add to the historical ambiance – with features such as four-poster beds in a number of rooms. The hotel is also at the heart of the Old Town, a stone’s throw from the main city sights. And if you’re interested in sampling the best of Tallinn’s cuisine, head to the in-house restaurant, Tchaikovsky.

Schlossle Hotel

Hotel

Couches and armchairs, along with bookshelves, a fireplace, exposed brick walls and wooden beams, in the lobby area at Schlossle Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Schlossle Hotel / Expedia.com
Three adjoining medieval houses in the Old Town have been turned into this luxury five-star-plus hotel, perfect for a romantic holiday. Numerous celebrities, politicians and even royals – such as Britain’s Prince Charles – have stayed at Schlossle. The antique furnishings further the traditional, old-world atmosphere, while attentive staff make sure you have everything you need – made easier by the compact size of the hotel.

CRU Hotel

Hotel

A hotel room with a wooden-beamed ceiling, a bed, armchair, chaise lounge and glass coffee table at CRU Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of CRU Hotel / Expedia.com
Four-star Hotel CRU is a small but charming hotel in a former merchant’s house. Its brick walls, wooden beams, antique furniture, and – best of all – large beds make it just as romantic as the more luxurious hotels in Tallinn, while the prime location is within walking distance of the main attractions. Be sure to check out the in-house restaurant, where a refined menu is served in an intimate, homely atmosphere.

Merchants House Hotel

Hotel

Armchairs and a painted wooden ceiling in the lobby at Merchants House Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Merchants House Hotel / Expedia.com
Many hotels in Tallinn sit in medieval buildings, but this one truly embraces the medieval and renaissance heritage. This old merchant’s house has intricate facades, wooden beams, hand-painted frescoes, period-appropriate fireplaces, stone walls and old-fashioned wooden furniture. It makes for a romantic atmosphere and is ideal for couples, though it’s by no mean limited to loved-up twosomes.

The Three Sisters

Boutique Hotel

A bed, curtains over large windows, a bathtub and sink with vanity in a hotel room at the Tree Sisters Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
© agefotostock / Alamy Stock Photo
The 23 rooms of the Three Sisters each have their own design and furnishings, making every experience unique. The meandering network of chambers, staircases, balconies and galleries make the setting – the eponymous interconnecting 14th-century houses known as the Three Sisters – original even in a medieval city such as Tallinn. The hotel restaurant, Bordoo, provides a great setting for a romantic meal, with handpainted ceilings and large windows, and features a selection of more than 300 wines.

Von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn

Hotel

The outdoor courtyard, with tables, chairs and umbrellas, and the brick exterior of Von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn
Courtesy of Von Stackelberg Hotel Tallinn / Expedia.com
Near the Old Town lies a small 19th-century estate, which was once owned by German-Baltic Baron von Stackelberg. It’s now a hotel, beautifully blending old grand architecture with modern minimalism. The elegantly designed rooms have modern amenities, including tea- and coffee-making facilities and heated floors in the bathrooms. Some rooms offer jacuzzi baths, and there’s a swimming pool and sauna. The overall design respects the historical setting, with pine floors, brick walls and beautiful furniture.

Taanilinna Hotel

Hotel

A bed, rug, wood floor, chair and drapes in a hotel room at Taanilinna Hotel in Tallinn, Estonia
Courtesy of Taanilinna Hotel / Expedia.com
Conveniently situated in a quiet part of the Old Town, Taanilinna is a tiny medieval-style hotel, which features stone walls, beamed ceilings and a summer terrace. All rooms are fitted with hardwood floors and elegant wooden furniture, plus free wifi, cable television and heated bathroom floors. Breakfast is also included and served in the ground-floor restaurant. The most luxurious suites offer a stellar experience, thanks to the extra-large beds and added sofas.

Amar Grover contributed additional reporting to this article.

About the author

Valentine is a journalism student at City, University of London and the former deputy editor of Novastan.org. She's spent too much time on night trains in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

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