Tallinn Luxury Hotels: Schlössle (Medieval Palace) and Swissôtel (Sky Bar Views)

Tallinn does luxury well — and differently to most European capitals. The city's best high-end hotels don't lean on glass towers and marble lobbies. They lean on 600-year-old stone walls, vaulted ceilings, and the fact that your room was once part of a medieval merchant's house.

Here are the two you should know about.

Schlössle Hotel: Sleeping in a 15th-Century Palace

Schlössle Hotel is the standout luxury choice in Tallinn. It occupies a series of connected medieval buildings in the heart of Old Town — original stone floors, thick walls, and a fireplace in the lobby that genuinely warms the room in winter.

Rooms vary: some have exposed stone walls and low beamed ceilings; others are more contemporary in feel but still retain the building's bones. The quieter rooms face internal courtyards rather than the street.

What makes it worth it:

Location is as central as it gets — Town Hall Square is 90 seconds away
Breakfast is proper (not a sad buffet)
The atmosphere in winter — fireplace, stone, candlelight — is genuinely hard to replicate
Service levels match the price

The honest caveat: Some rooms are noticeably smaller than you'd expect at the price point. Medieval buildings have medieval proportions. If you're sensitive to room size, check carefully before booking.

Price range: €160–280 per night depending on season and room type.

Swissôtel Tallinn: Modern, High, and with Views That Pay Off

Swissôtel Tallinn takes the opposite approach: a modern high-rise tower with panoramic city views, particularly from its upper floors and the rooftop bar. It sits just outside Old Town, a 5-minute walk to the medieval gates.

Rooms are contemporary and spacious by comparison to the boutique options — you get what you'd expect from a Swissôtel globally, executed competently.

The real selling point is the Vertigo Sky Bar on the upper floors. Cocktails with a view of Old Town's towers and Tallinn Bay on one side, the cityscape on the other. It works.

What makes it worth it:

Larger, more modern rooms with proper desk space (better for business travellers)
Views are genuinely impressive from higher floors
Fitness centre, spa, indoor pool
More consistent quality than boutique options

The honest caveat: It lacks the charm and local character of Schlössle. You could be in any Swissôtel city. That's not necessarily a problem — consistent quality is valuable — but don't expect something uniquely Tallinn.

Price range: €120–220 per night depending on season and room type.

Other Luxury Options Worth Considering

Three Sisters Hotel — Three medieval merchant houses joined together, each room unique, in the Old Town. Slightly more intimate than Schlössle, similarly priced. A favourite for honeymoons and anniversaries.

Hotel Telegraaf — A converted 19th-century telegraph exchange. Spa on site. Beautiful building, slightly more formal atmosphere. Good if you want a full spa break alongside city sightseeing.

No. 49 Boutique Hotel — Smaller, quieter, on the edge of Old Town. Fewer rooms, more personalised service.

When to Splurge vs. When to Save

Splurge on the hotel if:

It's a special occasion (Schlössle in winter is memorable)
You value walking out of a beautiful lobby as part of the trip experience
You're spending 5+ nights and want somewhere that feels like a real retreat

Save on the hotel if:

You're on a city-break itinerary where you're out from morning to midnight anyway
You're visiting in summer when the whole city is your lounge
You'd rather spend the difference on restaurants and experiences

For full hotel recommendations with current booking links across all price points, the Tallinn Travel Guide covers your options in detail.