TALLInn - In Your Pocket

22 Where to stay Where to stay 23
Budget
Although there are loads of hostels around town, the
free-spirited often communal living feel of them is not for
everyone - especially if you are looking for something a
little more private. Here are some alternatives.
Bed & Breakfast Rex H-4, Tartu mnt. 62, tel. (+372)
50 78 650, bbrex@hot.ee, www.hot.ee/allarp3. If a
bed and a shower are all you need, this absolutely-no-frills
place near the bus station will do. Doubles have TVs, while
all other rooms are set up as bunk-style triples, quads, etc.
Each room has its own shower/WC and furniture, while plain,
is new. Group rates are also available. Take tram N2 or 4 to
the Autobussijaam stop. You can get there by bus no 17, 17A
or 23, 23A to Bus Station and walk towards the tram lines
on Tartu mnt. Q14 rooms (singles €13, doubles €22, triples
€38). Breakfast €3.30. ULG
Lilleküla I-2, Luha 18b, tel. (+372) 627 11 22, fax
(+372) 648 13 33, info@lillekulahotel.ee, www.lillekulahotel.ee.
Just a 15-minute walk to Old Town, this newly-built
hotel provides immaculate, cheerful rooms, personal service
and even its own little restaurant. Higher priced rooms have
one large double bed as opposed to two small twins. Take
trams 3 or 4 to the Vineeri stop. Q30 rooms (singles €32 -
39, doubles €45 - 49, triples €55 - 65, family room €55 - 65).
Extra bed €13, pets €13. R6W hh
Poska Villa G-4, Poska 15, tel. (+372) 601 36 01, fax
(+372) 601 37 54, poskavilla@venu.ee, www.hot.ee/
poskavilla. This turn-of-the-century villa located on the edge
of the beautiful Kadriorg park offers up a chance for some
peace and quiet. The rooms are on the small side but very
comfortable and certainly full of colour. Home-made breakfast
is served by friendly staff and the parking, unlike elsewhere
in Tallinn, is free. Q8 rooms (singles €42, doubles €50 - 55,
suites €63). Extra bed €16, pets €16. PH6LGW
Salzburg Pärnu mnt. 555, Laagri, tel. (+372) 650 39 65,
fax (+372) 650 39 00, info@salzburg.ee, www.salzburg.
ee. This hotel, located just past the Tallinn border has a style
that is Austria über alles. Although there are no mountains
or Fräuleins singing in the hills, the rooms are comfortable,
affordable and have everything needed for a good night's rest.
The restaurant offers Austrian-themed dishes involving elk
and wild boar, however if you're not content to eat someone
else's trophy, the hotel will arrange hunting trips for guests.
Q53 rooms (singles €32 - 58, doubles €38 - 68). Extra bed
€15, pets €10, caravan €15. PH6UILGKW
Hostels
Due to the nature of hostels, they seem to come and go
from year to year and new ones are popping up all the time.
Likewise they also close down quite frequently and or change
their names. Although not a complete list, here we have listed
some of the more important and or centrally located ones.
For a complete list checkout www.hostelworld.com.
16 Euro Hostel C-4, Roseni 9, tel. (+372) 501 30 46,
info@16eur.ee, www.16eur.ee. If it's price and location you're
after, then this recycled, former hotel turned hostel will probably
suit you just fine. The furnishings are kind of mix and match, but
it's overall quite clean, just don't expect to get a good nights sleep
here on the weekend as it also sits smack dab in the middle of
several bars, a nightclub and a gentlemen's club. We suggest
wearing earplugs and that problem just might go away. Q (singles
€25 - 28, doubles €32 - 38, triples €50 - 56, quads €56 - 64,
dorm bed €10 - 13). Extra bed €16. Breakfast €6. J6DW
Academic Hostel Akadeemia tee 11, tel. (+372) 620
22 75, fax (+372) 620 22 76, info@academichostel.com,
www.academichostel.com. A large hostel 5km from the city
centre situated on the Tallinn University of Technology campus
grounds, offering rooms for one or two persons (kitchen, dining
room and bathroom shared between every two) and all
surrounded by a quiet and peaceful forest. Perks include free
parking, laundry facilities and internet connections in every room.
Take trolleybus N°3 from Vabaduse väljak to the Keemia stop.
Q108 rooms (Twin €27). Extra bed €16, pets €6.50, breakfast
€3. R6ULGW
Euphoria E-2, Roosikrantsi 4, tel. (+372) 58 37 36 02,
euphoria@traveller.ee, euphoria.traveller.ee. This hostelesque
happening, brought to you by the good folks over at the
‘Hostel With No Name', is one of the larger places in town. It's
kind of a unique concept that centres around four apartments
on different floors and a large common room where everyone
can hang out, play the guitar, bang on bongos or if the spirit
moves you, maybe even paint your own mural on the wall. Each
floor has its own kitchen and toilet, one of them even has a bath!
Light breakfast included. Q Prices €11 - 24/person. RLW
Flying Kiwi Backpackers C-2, Nunne 1, tel. (+372) 58 21
32 92, info@flyingkiwitallinn.com, www.flyingkiwitallinn.
com. Our research suggests that Kiwis lack the necessary wing
structure to be able to fly. However, this hostel is so conveniently
located you won't need to fly anywhere. The interior is surprisingly
modern and has all of the amenities you'd expect from a hostel
and more - fancy an evening sauna anyone? It offers up dormstyle
rooms as well as more private ones and get this, a 10%
discount on bike rentals from the folks over at City Bike Rentals
& Tours. Q6 rooms (doubles €44, triples €60, dorm room €13,
twin €36). No breakfast. JGDW
Knight House D-2, Rüütli 16, tel. (+372) 55 50 10 01,
ilya@knight-house.eu, www.knight-house.eu. Located
surprisingly enough on 'Knight Street' and in the building that
actually housed the former order of Teutonic Knights, this
establishment is more like an apartment rental place than a
typical backpacker's hostel. They have a stylish common room,
private rooms, a common grill and all sorts of other amenities
too extensive to list. Q (doubles €24 - 27, triples €50, quads
€63, place in dorm €14). W
OldHouse Hostel B-3, Uus 26, tel. (+372) 641 12 81,
fax (+372) 641 14 64, info@oldhouse.ee, www.oldhouse.
ee. Bright, fluffy rooms make this nicely renovated, Old Town
establishment almost too nice to be called a hostel. Common
areas like the hallways, TV room and guest kitchen are just as
spiffy. For those without a laptop, there's access to an internet
connected computer free of charge. Q Reception open 24hrs.12
rooms (doubles €42, triples €59, quads €76, place in dorm €14).
JRLNGW
Old Town Alur B-2, Lai 20, tel./fax (+372) 646 62 10,
hostel.alur@gmail.com, www.tallinnoldtownhostel.com.
Touted as being the 'biggest' hostel in Old Town, the Alur has
everything you'd want in a hostel plus an awesome courtyard
where you can bbq in the summer - or winter if that's your thing.
They've even got brand-spanking-new showers and organise
loads of activities, some perhaps even involving showers, for
those who get bored fairly quickly. Great place for travellers,
people who like showers, groups of friends and those who
like to shower with friends. Q11 rooms (singles €29, doubles
€45, triples €39, quads €49, place in dorm €11). No breakfast.
JRGW
Old Town Backpackers C-3, Uus 14, tel. (+372) 53 83
50 95, uus14tallinn@hotmail.com. Owners insist it's 'not for
tourists, only for travellers', so put on your best hippy-backpacker
attitude if you plan to stay here. The centrally-located hostel
on Aia is basically ten bunks and some sofas crammed into
two rooms, with a huge guest kitchen, sauna, laundry, internetconnected
computer. Q 10 beds €10 - 12/person. Linen
€1.60. JDW
Red Emperor Hostel C-3, Aia 10 (in the courtyard), tel.
(+372) 608 73 87, redemperorhostel@gmail.com, www.
redemperorhostel.com. This Australian-owned, bar/hostel
is kind of unique in Tallinn and is certainly geared towards the
free-thinking, beard-loving kind of traveller who is all about the
party and free-love - or so we've been led to believe. Probably
not the kind of place you'd want to rest your head if quite and
privacy is what you're looking for - but then again, not everyone
is looking for those things. See website for full details. Q8
rooms (singles €45, doubles €55, triples €59, quads €65, place
in dorm €9 - 16). JW
Tallinn Backpackers B-3, Olevimägi 11-1, tel. (+372)
644 02 98, info@tallinnbackpackers.com, www.tallinnbackpackers.com.
Hands down this hostel is Tallinn's best
for that feeling of international traveller camaraderie. Basically
a collection of open bunk rooms, it's cheap, central and friendly,
and the foreign backpacker who staff it organise video screenings
nightly pub crawls and some funky tours both in and out
of Tallinn. Free sauna, kitchen, computer and WiFi. Laundry for
a fee. Looking to stay in town a little longer? They've got rooms
for that too. Q5 rooms (5 Total rooms ). 34 dorm beds €8/bed.
No breakfast. JRIGW
Tallinn Boutique Hostel C-3, Viru 5-2, tel. (+372) 644
60 50, info@tallinnboutiquehostel.com, www.tallinnboutiquehostel.com.
Tallinn Backpackers' smaller Old Town facility
has the same fun, backpacker-run feel as its main hostel, but
it's built in a former office space where rooms offer more privacy.
Computer, WiFi, kitchen and laundry are available, and guests
are welcome to visit the Olevimägi location to groove with the
folks there as well. Q7 rooms (doubles €34). Extra bed €12.80.
JRGW
The Monk's Bunk E-2, Tatari 1, tel. (+372) 636 39 24,
info@themonksbunk.com, www.themonksbunk.com. The
Monk's Bunk consists of several dorm-style rooms with bunkbeds
to crash on. Certainly a bit more community oriented than
some places, the 'Bunk' does however pride itself in being a
place where you can get some peace and quiet - at least as much
privacy as you can get in a room filled with snoring strangers.
Now in a new location, they also have a smoking room and bar
on the premises. Q Dorm rooms €8 - 12. JRW
Tallinn's hospitality industry has pretty much reached
capacity and the total number of rooms sits at over 7800.
For the tourist this means the choice of where to stay has
never been better, and the room rates are also likely to
remain competitive. Outside the high-season, don't be surprised
if you're able to get a room for below the prices we
have listed in the guide. A fluctuating price system seems
to be the trend at higher-end hotels. Prices listed below
include VAT and breakfast, unless otherwise indicated.
Apartment rental
Short-term apartment rental is a good option for anyone
staying more than a few days - you can often get a beautiful,
Old Town apartment for the same price you'd pay for a
cramped double room in a tourist class hotel. Apartments
come fully outfitted with dishes, towels, etc. Prices are
usually per apartment (not per person) and drop substantially
the longer you stay. The prices we've listed here are
for a single night and do not normally include breakfast
unless stated otherwise. Check the individual apartments'
websites for full details on their rates.
Erel Apartments & Residences H-1, Paldiski mnt.
26a, tel. (+372) 663 16 40/(+372) 524 80 99, fax
(+372) 663 16 41, erel@erel.ee, www.erel.ee. This large,
highly experienced firm manages serviced apartments concentrated
in three Old Town buildings, including one on Town
Hall Square and another in a marvellously restored medieval
house on Rataskaevu. Furnishing in these 2 - 8-person apartments
is mainly Scandinavian and always tasteful. Guests can
stay anywhere from one day to one year, but rates are better
the longer the contract. The company will even pick you up
at the airport. Prior booking by credit card is required. Q 25
apartments: standard class €69 - 149, business class €108
- 249. Extra bed €31. Pets €31. JR6GW
Kullassepa Residence C-2, Kullassepa 11, tel. (+372)
623 20 55/(+372) 53 44 44 64, kullassepa@residence.
ee, www.residence.ee. The fantastic Old Town location is
the main selling point here - the apartments are right next to
Town Hall Square! Furnishings and sizes vary, but most tend
towards an old-fashioned look, and all are fully-equipped,
washing machine included. A computer can also be added
by arrangement, and for an extra charge, breakfast can be
brought up from the restaurant downstairs. Q 8 apartments
€60 - 95. JR6ILDW
Rasastra Apartments, tel./fax (+372) 661 62 91,
rasastra@online.ee, www.bedbreakfast.ee. The same
people who arrange bed and breakfast-style homestays also
offer several centrally located apartments which can be rented
anywhere from a few days to six months. All apartments
are fully equipped with kitchens and TVs. Q 7 apartments
€51 - 160. LNG
Romeo Family Apartments D-2/3, Suur-Karja 18, 4th
floor, apt 38, code 38, tel. (+372) 644 42 55, fax (+372)
660 95 88, info@romeofamily.ee, booking@romeofamily.
ee, www.romeofamily.ee. This family run establishment
offers the same level of quality and personalised service as
many of the luxury hotels in town. Apart from very convenient
(mostly Old Town) locations, each of these 1-4 room apartments
has fully-outfitted kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Some
have internet connections. Most apartments are located
in the same building. If you'd rather just have a room, these
are available as well. Q11 rooms (doubles €35 - 52, triples
€65 - 75, quads €85 - 110, apartments €45 - 110, family
room €58 - 68). Extra bed €16. Breakfast at apartments
€7. JLGW
Tallinn In Your Pocket tallinn.inyourpocket.com tallinn.inyourpocket.com
October - November 2012