The boutique Fabian Hotel looks like a page out of a Scandinavian design catalog, and beautifully blends minimalism with a dose of Nordic cool. The reception area doubles as a bar, and the cozy lobby has a low ceiling, comfy couches and armchairs, warm mood lighting, and chic decor -- think cowhide chairs, zebra print stools, industrial-style lamps, and a bookcase packed with beautiful coffee table tomes. An open kitchen abutting the dining area where breakfast is served further enhances the intimate atmosphere -- this is home away from home, but a fiercely stylish one. An inner courtyard is filled with wooden tables and potted plants, and serves as an alfresco option for breakfast or drinks, and several of the ground-floor rooms have private entrances opening up directly into the courtyard. Guests rave about the attentive and accommodating staff. Centrally located and close to many top attractions, restaurants, and great shopping, the Fabian Hotel is popular with travelers eager to explore Helsinki on foot and business travelers who appreciate the quiet atmosphere.

The Fabian Hotel is located on a quiet street in the Helsinki downtown area, at the southern edge of what most consider to be the city center. It's a short walk from many sights as well as restaurants and shops. The Market Square, the Esplanadi Park, and the waterfront are within a 10-minute walk. The nearest tram stop, Eteläranta, is three minutes away on foot. The Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum are around the corner.

Fabian Hotel has 58 rooms that range in size from the standard Comfort rooms, to slightly larger Style rooms, to the spacious Lux rooms that include kitchenettes, which are popular with families and for extended stays. Decor is fittingly Scandic-chic minimalism, and the clean, simple aesthetic is complemented by bolder accents, which may include patterned pillows on large, white, and plush beds; bedside tables in the shape of white, wooden step stools; industrial-style lamps; checkered tile floors; zebra print stools and pillows; and striped chairs. The result is contemporary and cool.

Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, Tivoli audio systems, and minibars stocked with refreshments and snacks. Windows open up to the inner courtyard or street side and are equipped with blackout drapes, a necessity in a city where the sun rises at 4 a.m. in the summertime. Rooms are soundproofed and guests praise the quiet atmosphere. Bathrooms are modern and relatively spacious, with eco-friendly bath products and walk-in showers, though no tubs.

Lux rooms are larger than the rest and have well-equipped kitchenettes; each includes a Nespresso machine, microwave, tableware, and a dining table adjoining the small living room area. Some of the Lux rooms on the ground floor have private entrances from the inner courtyard, which can be either a pro or con, depending on the weather and season.

The reception area doubles as a bar, with seating in the chic lobby area. A tasty breakfast is served buffet style in the ground-floor dining area, where an open kitchen area imbues a cozy vibe. Guests can also enjoy their food and drinks alfresco in the courtyard, weather permitting. The Fabian Hotel lacks a restaurant and room service, but there are many dining options within walking distance. There are free bikes and free umbrellas available to guests, small but appreciated details that showcase the quality of service and attention to detail this hotel is known for. Atypical of hotels in the area, the Fabian lacks a sauna, and there is no gym on-site, an amenity you can find in several nearby hotels, including Klaus K Hotel and Hotel Kämp, which also have spas.