Last updated on July 5th, 2024.
When you think of dreamy luxury hotels in Europe, Tallinn probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind.
However, luxury and boutique travelers are in for a welcome surprise in the Estonian capital.
Tallinn has several luxury — and boutique — hotels centrally located in Tallinn Old Town.
And if you’re looking for a Tallinn luxury hotel, this travel guide lists two of the best.
How to get to Tallinn
Flights to Tallinn are frequent, and daily too — depending on your starting destination. Given its location and proximity to Finland, traveling from Helsinki to Tallinn by ferry is another popular alternative.
Tallinn Airport is the largest in the country and is also quite close to the city center (about 22 minutes). Transportation is frequent, cheap and easy to navigate.
We took an Uber from the airport to the city and the no. 4 tram on our return. At the time of travel, a tram ride cost €2 ($2; £1.77) per person, and we paid the driver upon boarding.
Tallinn luxury hotel — Schlössle Hotel
The street leading to Schlössle Hotel is something straight out of a children’s storybook.
Cobbled streets complement the period buildings and former merchants houses; its bright colors intensified beneath the Tallinn sun.
Schlössle Hotel location
Schlössle Hotel sits halfway along Holy Spirit Street.
The principal road leads from the central market to the harbor. Many merchants traded, and lived, in the buildings on this historic street during Tallinn’s thriving era as a trading hub.
Entering Schlössle Hotel
A warm and inviting atmosphere greets you upon walking through the main doors of Schlössle Hotel.
The cozy and homely reception area feels more like stepping into a friend’s home rather than a 5-star luxury hotel.
Dating to the 13th century, the building has maintained some of its original features. Thick stone walls, heavy wooden beams and antique tapestries characterize the hotel’s lobby area.
It blends in perfectly with the soft, modern furnishings, bright decor and the sprawling corner sofa. Today, it’s one of Tallinn’s best luxury hotels and was the first hotel in Estonia to be awarded 5 stars.
Schlössle Hotel has welcomed high-profile guests through its doors, including Prince Charles and US rockstar Lenny Kravitz.
Map: the best luxury hotels in Tallinn
Schlössle Hotel rooms and suites
There are 23 rooms and suites in Schlössle Hotel, each room differing in design. The number of rooms not only underlines its boutique status but it also gives you an idea of the hotel’s size.
Choose from the Deluxe Double/Twin and the Deluxe Garden Queen, or one of the Junior, One-bedroom or Presidential suites.
Guests receive a complimentary transfer to the airport (one-way) when booking a suite.
The Junior Suite’s an ideal choice for a romantic couples getaway. It’s big enough for two, with a king-size bed, plenty of natural light and zero outside noise.
The bathroom’s fitted with everything you need for a comfortable stay, plus plenty of luxury bath products.
Room features at this Tallinn luxury hotel
Deluxe Double/Twin rooms are also an excellent, and affordable, choice for this Tallinn luxury hotel. Depending on your preference, choose from a king, queen or twin bed.
One feature I adore about these rooms are the large windows with seating with views overlooking the courtyard. Like the Junior Suite, Deluxe Double/Twin rooms are bright, comfortably chic and incredibly peaceful.
Other in-room features include complimentary WiFi, cable TV and a daily turn-down service. Guests can also use the downstairs sauna during their stay.
One final point I’ve to add is that Schlössle Hotel still uses traditional room keys. They did try using electronic key cards, but decided to revert back after regular guests said they preferred the keys.
Now that’s what you call guest loyalty.
Restaurant Stenhus
The elegant design of Schlössle Hotel extends to its restaurant, Restaurant Stenhus.
Mood lighting by candlelight, a roaring fire and original stone walls create an intimate atmosphere.
Restaurant Stenhus embraces the concept of farm to plate by partnering with small Estonian farms and fishermen. Dining here not only means eating high quality organic produce, but it also means supporting local producers too.
The menu includes classic Estonian dishes like wild boar, or something more contemporary like wild mushroom risotto.
Sauna and spa at Schlössle Hotel
There’s a genuine Estonian sauna in the basement of the building, which is free for hotel guests.
Inside, they offer free bottled water, towels and bathrobes and a relaxation area. You’re also able to order food and drink from the special menu.
Schlössle Hotel do offer guests spa and beauty treatments but the therapists aren’t based in-house. Because of this, it’s essential to book in advance for any treatments.
Schlössle Hotel summer garden
Summer’s a good time to visit Schlössle Hotel. For not only is it sunnier and warmer in temperature, but they also open their summer garden.
From May to September*, guests can sit, dine and drink, and all in the setting of the peaceful courtyard. What’s more, there’s also live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to liven the mood even more.
If the weather should take a turn, the restaurant’s always open.
Hotel St. Petersbourg
About 7 minutes’ walk from Schlössle Hotel, on Rataskaevu 7, is another Tallinn luxury hotel, Hotel St. Petersbourg. While both belong to the same hotel group, they couldn’t be more different.
Where Schlössle Hotel embraces traditional style, Hotel St. Petersbourg is more modern in feel and design.
Russian in heritage
As its name suggests, Hotel St. Petersbourg pays homage to its Russian roots. A Russian merchant bought the building — which dates to the 15th century.
He then commissioned architect Christian August Gabler to redesign the property in 1850. It makes Hotel St. Petersbourg the oldest operating hotel in Tallinn.
Red is in abundance at Hotel St. Petersbourg. From the deep red thick drapes in the lobby to the luxurious throws in the bedrooms, it’s hard to miss.
Hotel St. Petersbourg rooms and suites
Similar to Schlössle Hotel, there are also only a small amount of rooms at Hotel St. Petersbourg.
Each of the 27 rooms and suites are individual in design, though include similar luxury touches, like the bedspreads.
Room types at Hotel St. Petersbourg include Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Junior Suite and the Suite. The hotel commissioned interior design firm, Andrew Martin from London, to transform each of its rooms and suites.
The Suite at Hotel St. Petersbourg
For the ultimate luxury hotel stay in Tallinn, consider booking the suite. It’s spacious, modern, yet also retains some of its original features.
Upon entering, you see the lounge area with sofa, armchairs and coffee table, after which you enter the bedroom.
The sign of a good bed, isn’t just its size, but also by something I call the ‘jumpability’ factor. By this, I mean how quickly does the bed make you want to flop/jump on it as soon as you enter.
For me, the queen-size bed in the Suite at Hotel St. Petersbourg is a solid 8/10. Its soft beddings and silky cotton sheets are a perfect marriage with the firm mattress beneath.
Extra in-room amenities in the suite also include an espresso coffee machine, free WiFi, bathrobes, slippers and luxury toiletries. Also included when staying at the suite is a complimentary transfer (one-way) to the airport by luxury car.
Overall, the suite makes this Tallinn luxury hotel one of the top places to book when visiting the city.
Hotel St. Petersbourg Deluxe Double/Twin room
Though it may be slightly smaller in size than the suite, the Deluxe Double/Twin rooms are an equally comfortable choice.
The room has the same amenities as the suite, and comes with a queen-size, or 2 single beds if twin. Size really is the only difference between the two, plus there’s no complimentary airport transfer with this room.
All guests at Hotel St. Petersbourg are also welcome to use the morning sauna, which opens from 7am to 11am.
Dining options at Hotel St. Petersbourg
Tabula Rasa
Every good boutique hotel has a chic cocktail bar and the one at Hotel St. Petersbourg doesn’t disappoint.
Tabula Rasa is a classically chic setting that embraces Estonian modern culture and art noveau. The layout of the bar has an old-school feel, similar to those we visited at Raffles Europejski and Flemings Mayfair.
Its menu also reflects present-day Tallinn with a good selection of main courses/grills to choose from, and fish starters too.
Even if you don’t eat here, take a glass of wine and enjoy the views overlooking Town Hall Square.
Golden Piglet Inn
My mouth begins to water when I think about our fantastic meal at Golden Piglet Inn. Where Tabula Rasa is the place where the cool people go, Golden Piglet Inn is all about tradition.
From the second you enter, you feel as though you’re entering someone’s home for dinner. Wooden flooring, tables with homemade furnishings, benches and chairs put you in the mood for some traditional dining.
Recipes have been passed down from grandmother and generations. This means there are items here you won’t find anywhere else.
On top of that, all the produce comes from local farms and suppliers, ensuring fresh and quality ingredients.
Traditional Estonian cooking
It’s safe to say that Estonians really like meat. There are plenty of carnivorous choices on the menu, including moose, blood sausage and duck.
That’s not to say there isn’t anything for vegetarians or vegans. The interestingly named Witch’s Casserole is mashed potatoes with wild mushrooms and grated cheese (optional) on top.
We went for the very hearty ‘Golden Piglet’ crispy pork shank. This mammoth piece of meat is for two people and comes with sauerkraut, strong mustard and roast potatoes. It’s grand, calorific, but seriously good.
For afters
For dessert, we tried a classic Estonian apple and blackcurrant pie with vanilla custard. Light, not too sweet and a perfect size, it was a fitting end to the meal.
One thing you also have to try here is the rhubarb lemonade. I’m usually not keen on rhubarb, but was convinced by the staff to give it a go. Thankfully I did, because it’s so refreshing, tangy and downright delicious.
Golden Piglet Inn is as popular with tourists, as it’s with locals, and I completely see why. The atmosphere’s warm, the food and drink excellent, and the location is central.
In brief, it’s the kind of experience you’d expect from a Tallinn luxury hotel.
Best nearby attractions
Both Schlössle Hotel and Hotel St. Petersbourg are in the heart of Tallinn Old Town and close to top attractions.
Tallinn Town Hall Square
Town Hall Square (Raekoja Plats in Estonian) is the beating heart of the old town. This grand plaza, with its colorful rooftops, is home to festivals throughout the year as well as the Tallinn Christmas market.
What’s more, you can also visit Tallinn Town Hall, the oldest town hall in Scandinavia and the Baltic region. The vane, Old Thomas, has been there since 1530 atop the tower.
Parliament of Estonia
Also within walking distance of Schlössle Hotel and Hotel St. Petersbourg is the Parliament of Estonia, Toompea Castle.
Guided tours are free to the public, making this one of the best free things to do in Tallinn. The parliament building also has an art space, as well as a reading room and the parliamentary archives.
Top viewing platforms in Tallinn
Get your lenses at the ready, to discover some of the best viewing points in Tallinn.
Around Tallinn Old Town are several places where you can capture the landscape at birds eye level. Type the following names into your GPS and navigate your way to the top:
- Patkuli Viewing Platform
- Piiskopi viewing platform
- Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform
Depending on the time of year, and day, you visit, these viewing platforms get busy very quickly. Mornings tend to be quieter, though visiting before sunset is a pretty time to go too.
What do you think of Schlössle Hotel and Hotel St. Petersbourg? Do either look like a Tallinn luxury hotel you would stay in? Let me know in the comments below.
*information correct at the time of publishing
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
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Welcome to my site. I'm Lisa, an Italy-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Following the Rivera. Find out more about me and my story.
Great review. Thanks. The photos are impressive. Everything is very beautiful!
Thank you!
WOW what a beautiful place, I had never heard of it before but it looks amazing and everything looks so picturesque! The hotels all look lovely and it looks like there is something to suit everyone!
They’re both stunning hotels, and a real luxurious stay in Tallinn 😀
I wasn’t even sure where this place was before I read this, such lovely properties. It all looks so beautiful.
They all are Crystal; definitely consider staying here if you ever visit