HIDDEN GUEST: Hyatt Place Tallinn

If you return to Tallinn after a break, some districts may seem unrecognisable. The former industrial part of the city has become a contemporary business and residential area that is fast becoming a preferred living area to the city centre. The district’s position, adjacent to the one-off Kultuurikatel venue, renders it ideal for event organisers who can easily access all the major landmarks. Hyatt Place Tallinn is set a few steps away from the buzzing centre, yet remains in a calm-paced, well-designed, novel urban bubble. The district has been flourishing – the signature skyscrapers, restaurants, and cafes dotting the area have become the new creative icons of Tallinn. Although the district is yet to thrive in symbiosis with locals, it already offers the commodities for comfortable living, effective working, and relaxing downtime. However, seaviews are not a given here. The refined architecture, open spaces, and tidy urbanist image create a feeling of easygoingness and order – an authentic impression of modern urban lifestyle.

We have no doubts that this part of Tallinn is poised to become one of the most recognisable city areas in the future, giving further value to Tallinn, especially for business guests. Hyatt Place Tallinn is situated in a forward-thinking district with a promising future.

One of the hotel’s greatest advantages is its phenomenal accessibility. The location enables guests to arrive at the hotel from all the city’s main traffic arteries. Tallinn Airport is only 15 minutes away, while the historic city centre and the main event venues are minutes from the hotel.

Tallinn’s public transport is exemplary, surprisingly affordable, and intuitive.

Both trams and buses whisk away locals and tourists in brief intervals. The tickets are among the cheapest in all of Northern Europe. Guests who desire effective and care-free mobility can opt for the omnipresent Bolt, which has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure. Much like the public transport, it is reliable, swift, and affordable, not to mention a “made in Estonia” brand. In most cases, ordering a Bolt ride around Tallinn is the equivalent of ordering a cup of coffee. This is, in its own right, a standard of comfortable riding.

The hotel offers an excellent location for guests arriving by plane or car. The latter can look forward to a spacious underground parking garage. In this district, the traffic flux is manageable, as there is not that much daily traffic here. For event attendees, this means spending less time in transit and more time for work and relaxation. The hotel’s accessibility is thus not only a logistical advantage, but an inherent part of its competitive edge – quiet luxury that guests can understand only after experiencing it.

Hyatt Place is not a hotel of extravagance, but rather a refined designer ticket to the heart of Hyatt, enriched with a typical Scandinavian style.

To fully understand the architecture of this hotel, you require time, perhaps more than you might think. The eclectic facade must be observed from various vantage points to understand its purpose. Four architectural segments seem unusual at first. Yet, when put into the broader context of the former concert hall and repurposed event venue, Kultuurikatel, the decision is logical. In this light, the hotel is not an attention-seeking lone property, but part of the bigger picture – a building that has established a quiet dialogue with its surroundings. Five hotel cubicles subtly allude to the elements of the surrounding architecture, all within a stone’s throw. The lobby organically points toward the street, inviting guests to venture out into the district. It seems the streets and the hotel communicate in a serene, quiet, and respectful tone. The colour palette remains true to Hyatt’s classics: cream, sand, and graphite grey hues, enriched by emerald green and warm orange colours. Not a single element screams for attention, but it serves to create a classic Hyatt setting for guests. In light of the hotel’s positioning in the Hyatt Place Essentials category, all services and offerings meet expectations. Understandably, there is no allusion to the luxury or extravagance typical of Park Hyatt or Andaz. Hyatt Place is not a hotel of extravagance, but rather a refined designer ticket to the heart of Hyatt, enriched with a typical Scandinavian style.

Everything that is served on the tables – be it from the kitchen or the bar – has its value and signature style. Hyatt Place Tallinn follows a tried-and-tested formula of the brand: unpretentious and effective service with a smile. The personnel are youthful, energetic, and work hand in hand. Every contact with the guests is relaxed, sincere, and professional without being patronising. We were positively surprised by the gastronomy, given the hotel’s position. All dishes were fresh, carefully crafted, and of harmonious taste. They are modern enough to address the business guest of today and local and hearty enough to double as comfort food after a long day. The breakfast is similarly rich and among the best in its category. Lunch and dinner remain true to classic Northern simplicity with an international twist. A contributing factor to the hotel’s excellent impression is also the fact that it is brand-new. For now, everything appears mesmerising. We hope the materials and design stand the test of time.

Hotel rooms

You will recognise the signature Hyatt style as soon as you enter the room. The entire ambience exudes quality, perhaps befitting a five-star, not a four-star establishment. This impression is courtesy of the quality wooden flooring, enriched by a colourful carpet with geometric shapes, which gives the space warmth and softness. The massive headboard clad in leather exudes prestige and durability, much like the minimalist sofa in pastel colours that gives it a feeling of home. The wallpaper in gentle green and beige hues rounds out the holistic image of the room. We must laud the eye-catching Art Nouveau details, elegant nightstands, and copper finishes on the furniture that ooze historical refinement. The bathroom meets all expectations for a four-star establishment: it is clean, functional, and well-maintained. Although the bathroom sink appears somewhat plastic, the bathroom, as a whole, convinced us with its freshness and ergonomics. We expected nothing less from a novel hotel. Even though sea views cannot be expected, as this part of the city is fast developing, even glancing at the modern, minimalist architecture can be rewarding. The rooms at Hyatt Place will surely preserve their appeal in the future. The only thing we sorely missed were sustainable measures – such that befit a city that boasts one of the most sustainable urban environments in Europe.

Meetings centre

The hotel features only one conference hall that can be divided into two smaller ones. Still, the conference hall is well-equipped and alluring. We adored the natural daylight flooding the hall. As said, there are several incomparably larger halls in the district. Hence, we see the hotel’s conference offering as complementary for smaller meetings happening in the Kultuurikatel venue.

DESSERT – The extras

The Hyatt Comfort Firm bed, made specifically for Hyatt hotels, ensures a top-tier level of comfort and sleep. It is firm, yet soft enough to adapt to the individual. The premium bed linen reinforces the feeling of tidiness and cleanliness, which is expected of the brand. We slept well and woke up fresh, as expected of a business hotel competing in this league.

FLOP – NEGATIVE SURPRISES

At first glance, The Market sounds attractive. Alas, the offering is basic and could be seriously enhanced, given the city’s creative mindset, not to mention the user experience, which is not intuitive for most guests.

TOP – POSITIVE SURPRISES

Even though the cosy corner is not available in all rooms, the one we had was incredibly functional and pleasant. The black-and-white photos of Tallinn are charming, too, imbuing the room with warmth and subtle local charm.

SUSTAINABLE ENDEAVOURS

In terms of sustainability, the hotel falls short of expectations. Plastic shampoo bottles in the bathroom are evidence of an obsolete approach that has no place in the modern hospitality industry. In a city, such as Tallinn, where sustainability is becoming part of the local identity, we expected concrete solutions, not pretentious words. There is potential, but the hotel must tap into it.

Hyatt’s new Estonian lifestyle flagship is an appealing hotel that combines several architectural styles. Its essence remains loyal to the brand’s promise – offering a bit more design, kindness, style, and lifestyle than competitors. The ambience in the hotel is cosy and well-balanced. All the materials are appealing, and details, including the Cosy Corner, appear carefully designed and well-placed. Every element is tidy, functional, and without surplus glitz. Primarily, the hotel targets business guests who expect comfort and reliability instead of glamour. These guests will be entirely satisfied with their choice. Others, used to staying in more prestigious Hyatt subbrands, including Park Hyatt or Andaz, may want to look elsewhere. The hotel also does not cater to larger event groups, as its meeting capacities are simply too boutique. Yet, within its category, Hyatt Place Tallinn offers precisely what it promises – a modern, reliable, and pleasant place for business guests, without unnecessary glamour.

FINAL GRADE: 4.79 TWO MEETING STARS⭐⭐ City Meeting Hotel 

3 MEETING STARS⭐⭐⭐ final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 MEETING STARS⭐⭐ final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 MEETING STAR⭐ final score from 4.41 to 4.60