Experiences at Kalev Spa Spa Hotel
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We visited the Kalev Spa Hotel in Tallinn some years ago. The hotel was in a good location and is an excellent choice for Finnish travellers. Read more details in our review.
Covered in the Article
This article is a translation of our earlier piece originally written in Finnish. While it may not reflect the hotel's most current details, it provides a general overview of what to expect.
Spa Hotel in Tallinn
Kalev Spa is a modern hotel and spa located at the edge of Tallinn's Old Town. The hotel originally opened in 2005 but underwent a complete renovation in 2019. It is now in excellent condition and does not feel dated like some other hotels in Tallinn Old Town.
On previous trips to Tallinn, we often walked past the hotel. This time, though, we stayed for one night at this distinctive spa hotel. We chose Kalev Spa because its spa access was included in the room price, making it the perfect way to unwind after a busy workweek.
Ideal Location in Tallinn’s Old Town
The hotel enjoys a very convenient location. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the Port of Tallinn, yet still within Tallinn’s Old Town boundaries. More specifically, the hotel sits in the northeastern corner of the Old Town in a quiet area. All the main attractions in Tallinn’s city centre and Old Town are within easy walking distance. There’s no real need to take a taxi, and you can reach Tallinn's many shopping centres by public transport.
Booking Ferry and Cruise Tickets
Navigating options from multiple ferry operators on the same route can feel overwhelming. We recommend using Ferryscanner to quickly view a range of fares in one search. To book, just follow these steps:
- Search ferries for your intended route.
- Select the desired ferry service. Fill and double-check all booking information.
- Understand the terms for cancellation.
- Add any additional services you may require. The same service may cost more later.
- Finalise your booking using a payment card.
Head to Ferryscanner and book your sail.
Spa Hotel Services and Amenities
Kalev Spa is a spa hotel that includes an indoor water park. As expected, the hotel has a spa section where you can also enjoy beauty treatments. The pool area includes a large 50-meter swimming pool for serious swimmers, along with smaller warm pools ideal for relaxing. Several water slides are available, catering to both children and adults. The spa area also features saunas and a small café.
Alongside the spa facilities, Kalev Spa offers typical hotel amenities. These include clean rooms, breakfast, and a restaurant. The reception operates 24/7. The hotel provides many other services you'd expect from a three-star property. Interestingly, many booking platforms rate it as four stars, though we were unable to confirm the official classification.
Our Stay at Kalev Spa Hotel
We stayed at Kalev Spa in June some years ago after the hotel had gone through renovations. All services were available again. We noticed on the internet that the hotel hadn’t earned very high ratings on some booking platforms, likely due to renovation-related noise, service limitations, and reports of unfriendly staff from earlier periods.
Our experience was very different. The hotel was peaceful and the staff were friendly.
Room
We had booked our room through the Amoma booking service for 80 euros per night. Although that service no longer exists, the hotel remains available on many other platforms. The price included breakfast for two and spa access. Our room was the most basic option, only 14 square meters. Still, it was clean and had all the essentials: a bathroom, TV, comfortable beds, and a cosy interior.
The current price may have increasea a little.
M/S Megastar is a stylish ferry between Finland and Estonia.
The included breakfast was a generous buffet with a variety of cold and hot dishes.
June was the high season in Tallinn, so prices were at their peak. We believe room rates are lower in the winter months.
Common Areas
The hotel lobby was cosy and stylish, with sofas, a decorative fireplace, and a television. Right next to the lobby is a children’s playroom, making the hotel a great choice for families.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to try the hotel's gym or bar.
M/S MyStar is the newest ferry between Finland and Estonia.
M/S Viking XPRS is an affordable ferry between Finland and Estonia.
Location
The location is ideal for leisure travellers. The hotel sits close to the port of Tallinn but still inside the Old Town. Not everyone wants to stay in the lively, noisy heart of the Old Town — that’s why being only a short walk from the centre is just right. Most travellers from Finland arrive in Tallinn by ferry, enjoying the short and scenic journey across the Gulf of Finland.
Next to the hotel, there was a small park perfect for evening strolls. The hotel restaurant’s terrace overlooked the park, offering a peaceful spot for breakfast or evening drinks. On a fun note, we found a working iPhone in that park one evening and asked the hotel staff to hand it over to the police.
Spa Facilities
The spa section left a good impression, though there’s room for improvement. The shower area and changing rooms were spotless. The 50-meter pool was perfect for swimming laps, and the warm pools invited relaxation. The water slides clearly showed that the hotel caters well to families with children.
On the downside, there weren’t many relaxation pools. The pool area’s café/bar was also small. Only three types of saunas were free; access to other saunas required an extra payment, which was a surprise to us.
The spa isn’t fancy, but it was just what we needed. We liked it so much we went back twice in one day.
Value for Money
We found good value for money. We paid 80 euros for a double room. For that price, we got a clean room, an excellent buffet breakfast, and unlimited access to the spa and pool area. We booked ferry tickets separately.
Overall Rating
Kalev Spa has many strengths. While not perfect, it performs well in many areas. It’s definitely worth a visit.
Where to Book Kalev Spa Hotel for the Best Price
Many tour operators offer ferry-and-hotel packages to Tallinn, often including Kalev Spa as a hotel option. You can also compare hotel prices on booking sites and purchase ferry tickets separately.
Common Questions
- Where is the Kalev Spa hotel located?
- The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Port of Tallinn, situated in the Old Town.
- Is spa access included in the hotel room price?
- Usually yes. Be sure to confirm in the hotel description when booking.
- What is the spa section like at Kalev Spa?
- While mid-level, the spa is impressively clean. It has a large swimming pool, several smaller relaxation pools, a range of saunas, and a small café where you can unwind.
- Is there a buffet breakfast at Kalev Spa?
- Yes, the hotel offers a delicious buffet breakfast.
- Is the Kalev Spa hotel in good condition?
- Yes, the hotel has been recently renovated and is clean and well-maintained.
Bottom Line
Based on our experiences, we can recommend the Kalev Spa hotel. It’s a great fit for couples but also for travellers with children. We also noticed many Estonian seniors during our stay. Booking as part of a package is usually the easiest and often most affordable option.
Have you stayed at the Kalev Spa hotel? We’d love to hear about your experience! How does the hotel feel now?
This article was originally published in in Finnish and later translated into English with minor edits.
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