Helsinki Jail Hotel Review! Spending the Night at Hotel Katajanokka

This is an account of the time we stayed in a Helsinki jail hotel during our trip to Finland. Read on for a review of the jail cells turned hotel bedrooms, our experience eating at the Jailbird Restaurant, and the strange stories we heard about the inmates at this former prison!

“What was that? Did you hear that noise?”

The mysterious sound woke me up from my sleep and I sat up in bed in a confused state as I tried to figure out its origins.

Sam, who had his headphones on, looked at me with skepticism, “what are you talking about?”

“That noise. There it is again!”

And that’s when I realized that it was just the sound of the water pipes in the bathroom…

Staying in the Helsinki Jail Hotel Review: Did I Just Spend The Night In Prison?

I recently spent the night in the famed Helsinki jail hotel in Finland.

Hotel Katajanokka is located in Helsinki and it was used as a prison up until a little over a decade ago.

It was only in 2002 that the prison finally closed its doors due to the fact that the facilities no longer met the requirements of a modern correctional facility.

Since no one wanted to see such a historic building fall to ruin, it was decided that the structure would be repurposed as a hotel, and so Hotel Katajanokka was born drawing guests looking for a rather unique stay.

What’s it like inside the Helsinki Jail Hotel?

The hotel’s interior still looks very much like, well, a prison.

The long corridors and iron railing are very reminiscent of what a modern correctional facility might look like, albeit with brighter paint colours, new carpeting and comfortable furniture to lounge on.

Tour of the Jail Cells or Bedrooms

Thankfully the rooms at Hotel Katajanokka no longer resemble to bare jail cells they once were.

I was greeted with a martini glass filled with Karl Fazer chocolate; not a bad welcome for someone entering the slammer for the first time!

When the building was remodelled, the former jail cells were expanded and given a retro chic makeover with pinstriped carpets, sleek leather sofas, and touches of mustard that give the rooms a much warmer feeling.

Yet in spite of the makeover, there are little subtleties that still remind you that this was once a prison. Maybe it’s the high out of reach windows from which the sunlight streams in, maybe it’s the touches of black, maybe it’s the stripes on the carpet – or it could just be a combination of all of these things.

The impenetrable walls which were supposed to keep prisoners from escaping mean you are able to get a good night’s sleep (you won’t hear a peep from the next door guests), but the receptionist also warned us that it might block the Wi-fi signals in some of the rooms. (I didn’t have any issues with this, but they do offer a cable that you can hook up to your computer if you’re having connectivity issues.)

Prison Food at the Jailbird Restaurant

Breakfast was served in the basement in a dimly lit setting with exposed brick walls.

I very much felt like a convict as I picked up my metal plate and tin cup in the mornings, but once I approached the buffet table and saw the plethora of food options, I was quickly reminded that I was in fact a guest at a 4 star hotel.

The breakfast buffet at the Jailbird Restaurant included a decidedly Finnish menu of Karelian pastries (a thin crust rye pastry filled with either potato or rice), meatballs and sausages, muesli with yogurt and an assortment of fresh berries, porridge and cereals, cheese and deli meats, freshly baked croissants and black rye bread.

When it came to beverages, there were fruit juices, herbal teas, lattes and cappuccinos.

Nothing said prison food about any of the items on this very extensive breakfast menu.

After my stay at the hotel, I came back again (they couldn’t keep me away!) to eat at the Jailyard Terrace which is open during the summer months.

I sampled some of the local Finnish beers and I also tried the Roast of Reindeer with Cranberry Compote. The dish was an appetizer which consisted of thin deli slices of reindeer meat, served with mashed potatoes, cranberries, and a tangy vinagrette.

While I may not be a convert when it comes to eating reindeer, I did enjoy the outdoor setting; and that’s yet another reason to come here – live music on the terrace.

It was 70s classic rock songs the day I was there, and the musician really had the crowd going!

If the prison walls could speak…

One of the stories that I learned at Hotel Katajanokka was that in 1946 a very creative tunnel was uncovered.

It turns out that the male prisoners had spent several weeks digging a passage that began in the third floor of the men’s common room, however, their path did not lead to freedom outside the prison walls, rather to jail cell #13 which held the women!

Well, well…good use of your time boys.

The Prisoner Experience

Hotel Katajanokka is quite popular with stag and hen parties, and the hotel offer a number of special party packages including one entitled Prison Break, where guests dress up in striped suits and then work together as a team to escape the prison grounds without being spotted by the guard.

I didn’t take part in this since it would obviously involve coming with a large group of friends and booking ahead of time, however, I think it sounds like a fun experience to check out in Helsinki!

Hotel Katajanokka
Merikasarminkatu 1
00160 Helsinki, Finland
+358 9 686450

How to Plan (and Maximize!) a Night at Helsinki’s Jail Hotel

A quick heads-up before you book: the hotel is now branded Home Hotel Katajanokka (part of the Strawberry hotel group), and the basement restaurant has been renamed Linnankellari, with its summer courtyard now called Linnanpiha. Same building, same prison bones, same tin-cup charm — just search for these names when booking or looking up current hours.

Why This Prison Stay Works (Comfort Meets Character)

• Heritage you can feel: vaulted corridors, iron railings, thick walls, original brickwork.
• Modern creature comforts: plush beds, excellent soundproofing, a hearty Finnish breakfast, summer courtyard dining.
• Story factor: every corner whispers a chapter of Helsinki’s past (including that infamous tunnel to Cell #13 — naughty, naughty).

Choosing Your “Cell”: Rooms, Views & Vibes

Not all ex-cells are created equal. Here’s a general sense of how rooms tend to be grouped, so you can pick the right one for your kind of stay.

Room Styles & Who They Suit

Exact room names and categories can shift with renovations, so confirm current options directly with the hotel or your booking platform when reserving.

Food Behind Bars: Breakfast, Fika & the Courtyard

Breakfast at Linnankellari (Basement Level)

Expect an unapologetically Finnish spread:

• Savories: Karelian pies (try them with egg butter), sausages, meatballs, cheeses, smoky deli meats.
• Carb heaven: black rye bread, warm croissants, muesli, porridge.
• The good stuff: yogurt with berries, fruit juices, proper coffee, lattes, cappuccinos.

Breakfast, afternoon fika, and dinner are now included as standard as part of the room rate — a nice change from the à la carte breakfast setup some travelers remember from years back.

Summer Only: The Courtyard (Linnanpiha)

• What to order: a Finnish craft beer and a small plate (reindeer still shows up on the menu, thinly sliced and savory).
• What to expect: golden-hour light on brick walls, a relaxed patio crowd, and seating for well over 100 guests in peak season.

Getting There (Without a Police Escort)

The hotel sits on the Katajanokka island — minutes from Market Square but peaceful enough to hear the gulls.

Easiest Ways In

What’s Nearby (Walkable Wonders on Katajanokka)

You’re sleeping in a time capsule, but the neighborhood is an open-air museum:

• Uspenski Cathedral: that red-brick beauty with onion domes; wander up for city views.
• Allas Sea Pool: saunas plus heated outdoor pools overlooking the harbor, open year-round.
• Market Square (Kauppatori): salmon soup, fresh berries, cinnamon buns, archipelago bread; the ferry hub for island day trips.
• Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: the public HSL ferry from Market Square takes about 15 minutes each way and costs €3.30 for a single AB-zone ticket — cheap, frequent, and worth every cent for the ramparts, museums, and picnic lawns on this UNESCO-listed archipelago.
• Art Nouveau facades: Katajanokka is a treasure trove of Jugendstil architecture — look up as you wander.

If you’d rather have the fortress’s history laid out for you, a guided Suomenlinna walking tour with an authorized guide runs about an hour, includes entry to the Ehrensvärd Museum, and departs from the Suomenlinna Museum near the main pier. For a fuller day that pairs the fortress with Helsinki’s city highlights, a combined Helsinki and Suomenlinna sightseeing tour (roughly 5.5 hours, ferry included) covers Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument, and the fortress in one guided outing — handy if you don’t want to plan the logistics yourself.

Where Else to Stay on Katajanokka & Nearby

If the jail hotel is booked up, or you just want options across different budgets and trip types, Katajanokka and the neighboring harborfront have a few standouts worth knowing about.

• Bob W Helsinki Katajanokka — a great pick for solo travellers, longer stays, or anyone who wants a kitchen. This aparthotel sits right on Katajanokka with a tram 4/5 stop steps from the door, self-check-in via app, and a 24-hour supermarket in the same building.
• Scandic Grand Marina — solid for families. A 4-star waterfront hotel on Katajanokka in a 1920s Art Nouveau building, about a 6-minute walk to Market Square, with an on-site restaurant (Makasiini) and sauna.
• Hotel Haven — the splurge/honeymoon pick. A 5-star boutique hotel right on the South Harbour near Market Square, with harbor-view rooms, a whiskey-heavy hotel bar, and multiple on-site restaurants.

The Perfect Katajanokka Day (No Handcuffs Required)

Morning

• Slow wake-up under lofty ceilings, then breakfast at Linnankellari.
• Stroll to Uspenski Cathedral for city views and bell tower selfies.
• Head to the Market Square; grab a cinnamon roll and hop the ferry to Suomenlinna.

Afternoon

• Picnic on Suomenlinna (or a cozy café lunch), and wander the island lanes.
• Return for a sauna and swim at Allas Sea Pool.
• Back to your room to freshen up, sip tea, and peek at the prison corridor from a lounge chair.

Evening

• Dinner: stay on-site or pop to the Design District for Nordic plates.
• Nightcap in Linnanpiha (summer) or under the warm glow of the lobby lamps (winter).
• Optional: a midnight corridor stroll to admire the railings and shadows. It’s a vibe.

Best Time to Check In (Season by Season)

Mini Packing List for a Helsinki Jail Stay

• Layers: weather changes quickly, even on short walks
• Good shoes: cobbles plus potential ice in winter
• Swimsuit: for saunas, pools, and the odd Baltic dip
• Portable charger: you’ll photograph more than you think
• Eye mask: useful if the high windows make you light-sensitive at dawn

Helsinki Jail Hotel FAQ

Is Home Hotel Katajanokka a real former prison?

Absolutely. The building served as a functioning prison until the early 2000s, when it was repurposed into a hotel that preserves many original architectural elements while upgrading everything a modern traveller needs.

Is it spooky or haunted?

Only if water pipes count as ghosts. The vibe is atmospheric rather than eerie — soft lighting, thick walls, and lots of character. Most guests report sleeping surprisingly well.

How far is it from central Helsinki and the airport?

From the Central Railway Station, it’s a short Tram #4 ride straight to Katajanokka. From the airport, take the airport train to Central, switch to Tram #4, or grab a taxi if arriving very late.

Can non-guests visit the restaurant or courtyard?

Yes. Linnankellari (breakfast for guests, other meals as posted) and the seasonal courtyard Linnanpiha welcome visitors. It’s a fun spot for a beer and a look at the old walls.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast, afternoon fika, and dinner are now included as standard as part of the room rate. It’s worth double-checking your specific rate at booking, since inclusions can vary by promotion.

Is the hotel accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. There are elevators, step-free routes, and adapted rooms. As with any heritage building, specifics matter, so mention your needs when booking so the team can assign the best room.

What about Wi-Fi and mobile signal in those thick walls?

Wi-Fi is strong in common areas and generally reliable in rooms, but old masonry can muffle signal in a few spots. The front desk can lend a cable for a guaranteed connection.

Can I see original cells or take a history tour?

Rooms are refurbished (and much larger than the original cells), but corridors and some structural details remain. Ask staff about the best heritage nooks; sometimes small exhibits or information panels are on display.

Is it family-friendly?

Yes. Family and interconnecting room options exist, corridors accommodate strollers, and the ferry to Suomenlinna is a guaranteed kid-pleaser. Breakfast also passes the picky-eater test.

What should I budget for meals on-site?

With breakfast, fika, and dinner now bundled into most rates, on-site dining costs are largely built into your room price. You’re also in easy walking distance of Market Square and central cafés for extra bites.

Is there parking?

There is typically on-site or nearby paid parking; policies change, so confirm current details with the hotel before arrival if you’re self-driving.

What’s one thing you shouldn’t skip nearby?

Allas Sea Pool for a sauna and city-view swim, then the €3.30, 15-minute ferry to Suomenlinna. Return for a Linnanpiha drink at sunset and call it the perfect Katajanokka day.

Have you ever stayed in a strange or unique hotel?
Would you stay at the Helsinki jail hotel?

Many thanks to Hotel Katajanokka for hosting me during my stay. I received a discount in exchange for a review.