Hostel Academica

Great creature comforts, mediocre food

Set in a quiet part of town, some 15 minutes away on foot from the Helsinki bus station, the Hostel Academica is a large farily large student appartment complex that converts into a summer hostel from June 1 to September 1.

The accommodations are first-rate for such a budget-friendly place. We had a small fridge, a cooktop and a sink at our disposal. Included in the price are vouchers for a buffet breakfast at a nearby restaurant, whose name I forget. However, we found the food at this restaurant to be pretty bland: the (canned) fruit and, on some mornings, the orange juice tasted like water. We stuck to the pourridge and toast and got our fix of vitamin C elsewhere during the day.

• Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
• Related to: Budget Travel, Backpacking

Hostel Academica Photo: Not included: typical city architecture at right

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A nice stay...

Hostel Academica is used as hostel during summer, they have a 'modern' building and a 'traditional' building. I stayed in the 'traditional' building as it was cheaper than the modern building (which can sometimes cost up to 20€ more). The people who work at the reception are very helpful and nice, they'll help you with any questions about Helsinki that you've got.

My room was spacious enough, it was a 3 bed dorm, had a kitchenette (with fridge and stove) and a bathroom ensuite. The mattresses on the bed were a little thin, but comfortable enough. From the hostel it was only a 15-20min walk into the city centre.

The only problem I had was that there was only one key to my rooms door, so it had to stay at reception, which was a bit annoying when sometimes I was coming and going a bit.

My stay was good, I have experienced better hostels than this, but if you're just after somewhere to sleep at night, then this place will suite you fine.

Unique Quality: They have free luggage storage (although it is not monitored), a room with TV and internet (you pay for) and a large kitchen in which the facilities are free to use. You are also welcome to use the sauna and swimming pool. They are an environmentally friendly hostel.

There also supermarkets, restaurants and many shops in the area.

Hostel Academica

Budget choice in Helsinki, but only in the summer

Academica doubles as a student hostel in season, and tourist hotel in the summer. It's a very comfortable and friendly place, not too expensive for Finland. I was perfectly satisfied there.

Student accomodation

Self catering.

Student lodgings for Helsinki University during the year and it's a tourist hostel from June to August. Cafeteria in the basement and there is a sauna and pool in another building in the grouds.

Unique Quality: The sauna and pool are a great selling point and ones that I definitely made the most of :)

• Opinion of Price: least expensive

Hostel Academica Photo: not a student room, really :)

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Academica Summer Hostel

~18 EUROS for a bed in dorms.

Unique Quality: Just great place! Very nice rooms.
It is the students house during the whole year, and in summer time it becomes a summer hostel.
Very nice people (again), very clean, and very nice rooms.
I think all rooms have private bathrooms and refrigerators.
Probably the best place I had stayed in Helsinki during summer time.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive

Hostel Academica

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Hostel Academica.

PRICES - SUMMER 2002

Traditional

Single room € 41.00
Twin room € 58.00
Triple room € 71.00
4 bedded room €84.00

Modern

Single room € 53.00 (In July € 49)
Twin room € 75.00 (In July € 66)

Familyroom
(for families with children under 12 years old)

Traditional triple room € 58.00
Modern triple room € 75.00

Traditional 4 bedded room € 71.00

Bedlinen, buffet breakfast, morning sauna & swimming pool, service, and taxes are included in the price.

Dormitory

bed in a twin room € 21.00/person
bed in a triple room € 18.00/person
bed in a 4 bedded room € 16.00/person

Morning sauna & swimming pool, service, and taxes are included in the price. (Breakfast € 5.00, bedlinen € 4.50)

A discount of € 2.50 for all members of Hostelling International and students with an international student card (excepting the family room rate).

Sauna

Sauna and swimming pool for 1-20 persons € 150 (6 p.m.-12 a.m.). The price includes towels.

Unique Quality: Open 1.6. - 1.9.

• Opinion of Price: least expensive

Hostel Academica

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