The hotels in Oulu that are available year round aren’t exactly numerous, but there are some good choices for visitors to take advantage of during a visit. In the summertime, which is the peak season for Oulu travel, the Oulu lodging choices become a bit more varied and abundant as special summer Oulu hotels and area campgrounds open for business. There are Oulu hotels to fit most budgets and tastes, and while there are no 5-star establishments here, there are some nice Oulu accommodation options that provide their guests with great rooms and excellent service. As traveling in Scandinavia is relatively expensive, the cheap hotels in Oulu will still run over $100 a night on average, but even they provide their guests with cozy rooms and friendly service, so it’s hard to have a bad Oulu accommodation experience. The following recommendations for hotels in Oulu should help you sort out where to sleep in this intriguing port city on the Gulf of Bothnia.

In the year 2007, the Radisson SAS Hotel in Oulu was voted the best conference hotel in northern Finland. As such, business travelers will feel quite at home here, as will leisure travelers for that matter. Many visitors to Oulu will likely prefer staying at one of the Oulu hotels that are centrally-located, and the Radisson SAS is one such choice for Oulu lodging in the heart of town. You’ll find some of the best rooms in the city here, and when you couple that with the location, it’s hard to go wrong at the Radisson. Besides offering a new, authentic Finnish sauna, the hotel also features a pool, a gym, restaurants, and an alluring day spa. Free wireless internet access and a complimentary breakfast buffet help to make the relatively high rates here agreeable, and guests can choose from different rooms and suites, some of which are more luxurious than others. All of the 221 guest units at the Radisson SAS exhibit a Scandinavian design, incorporating sleek lines and modern appeal, and standard amenities include individual climate control, a TV with some English-language programs, a telephone, a mini-bar, and a hair dryer and iron. Movie channels are available at an extra charge, and you can ask for a room that has a tub in the bathroom if you prefer.

One of the newest and nicest hotels in Oulu is the Scandic Oulu, which also exhibits a modern Nordic style. Found near the city’s Market Place, and none too far from the waterfront either, the Scandic Oulu enjoys a great location, and you’ll find no less than three Finnish saunas here to use to your heart’s content. Free internet access and complimentary buffet breakfasts are included in the rates here, which are among the highest in the city, and though you’ll pay a bit extra to stay here, you’ll get plenty of bang for your buck. The hotel’s staff is friendly, which is always a bonus, and it’s hard to find fault with the fresh rooms, which are quite spacious as well. The rooms might not be overly luxurious, but they are definitely comfortable and good on amenities. In-room amenities include a flat-screen TV with cable, in-room movies (fee), a telephone, comfortable sitting furniture, a work desk, climtate control, and more. There are 214 rooms at the Scandic Oulu, and for those arriving on Finland flights at the Oulu airport, the bus trip in is just 20 minutes or so.

Finland Map

Priced a bit below the Radisson SAS and the Scandic Oulu, the Holiday Inn Oulu is one of the best mid-prided hotels in Oulu. It too boasts a good location that is next to Ainola Park, where you will find walking trails, and you’re also close to the Oulu Cathedral, one of the most well-known cathedrals in Finland. There is a sauna, a swimming pool, and a Jacuzzi for guests to use at the Holiday Inn Oulu, and while the rooms aren’t terribly large, they are cozy and clean. Guests can choose a room with a view of the city or a view of the hotel’s atrium, and amenities include cable TV, a mini-bar, guest robes and slippers, a coffee and tea maker, a telephone, and a hair dryer and iron. Room rates include a complimentary breakfast and internet access is available in your room for an extra fee. The restaurant at the Holiday Inn Oulu serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and specializes in international cuisine, and you’ll also find a nice onsite bar where you can relax with a drink. Kids eat free here, and room service is available from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

As for cheap hotels in Oulu, there are a few that should suit your fancy, and among the best is the Sokos Hotel Arina. Once again, it’s hard to argue with the location of this Oulu lodging choice, as you’re right in the center of things. The Sokos hotel brand is a good choice whether you’re looking for hotels in Oulu, Helsinki, Turku, or pretty much any other Finnish city, and the chain is a safe bet for good service and clean rooms at a good price. Of the 260 rooms here, some have private saunas, and you can rent a suite if you want extra room and added comfort. All of the rooms feel quite modern, and amenities include cable TV, a telephone, free internet access, a work desk, air conditioning, and a private bathroom with heated floors. Though you can walk to restaurants close by, the hotel has four of its own to choose from, and there is a communal sauna available for those who don’t have one in their room. You won’t find many Oulu hotels that offer this much for the price, so it’s always worth considering the Sokos Arina when in town.