Hestia Hotel Ilmarine, Tallinn

We have stayed at the Hestia Hotel Ilmarine in Tallin a few times now, and have always been very happy, especially given the overall service and comfort, and the very reasonable price. Therefore, we happily recommend this hotel for people travelling with pets, especially if you also have a car.

The staff have always been efficient if not overly friendly, the rooms very comfortable, and the hotel is in a great location. For example, it is easy to get to by car from the ferry port, only a short walk into the old town, close to a couple grassy areas for the dog, and a few minutes’ walk away from the market (Balti Jaama Turg) and less than 10-moinutes to the old town and places like Hell Hunt and Delicia.

First, the rooms have always been very clean, spacious enough, the beds very comfortable, and there is a mini-fridge and tea or coffee making facilities. Also, the bedroom, bathroom, and linen were all very clean and comfortable and there was piping hot water and good water pressure in the shower. Not a big issue, but worth noting that there was no view to speak of.

Second, as noted above, breakfast is included and there is a good spread of tasty food and drinks. We are not huge fans of hotel breakfasts, unless it is an Asian buffet breakfast of the likes found in Malaysia and Singapore, but the breakfast at Hestia Hotel Ilmarine has been as good as many we have had in European hotels.

Next, the staff have not always been the friendliest/most welcoming but always very efficient. For example, check in was easy, and in the evening, I asked for an ice-bucket from reception, and even though it was quite late and there was no bar open, it was provided with no fuss or judgement.

Finally, as with all hotels, there are number of things worth noting for those thinking about staying with dogs. First, we think there is a limited number of dog-friendly rooms, so it is best to book in advance and make sure to make a note that you have a dog at the time of booking. Second, it costs €20 per night for pets, which is on the higher end of what we have been asked to pay, and like the Original Sokos Hotel Viru, they do not provide a “welcome package” containing snacks and poop bags. Finally, however, the hotel is a few minutes’ walk from a kind of grassy boulevard area, and there is a grassy area right outside the hotel (but it is a residential area, so not sure how happy the residents are about people walking their dogs there), so either way, it is very convenient and comfortable for walking your furry friend(s).

In summary, I am not sure if the Hestia Hotel Ilmarine is a 4-star or 3-start hotel, but it felt like a great 3-star, and we had a very nice stay and will definitely come here again. A great option for those looking for a dog-friendly hotel in a good location of Tallinn.