We Discovered Rooftop Bliss and Home Comforts at Novotel Tallinn

Tallinn, the Estonian capital on the Gulf of Finland, has been on our family wish-list for quite a while, and by the time we arrive at Novotel Tallinn after a short walk from the Old Town, we're already chattering happily about the city’s merits. We realise we’re in an ideal location in the middle of everything, with Old Town museums, central markets and harbourfront restaurants all just a short walk away.

Stepping into the hotel, we get the impression that our base for the week has much the same appeal as the city itself: it’s captivating and creative, yet peaceful enough to feel like home. Our son and daughter are hard-to-impress teens, but childlike enthusiasm is revived as we begin a walking tour of the hotel to get our bearings. We're excited to go see the roof terrace, but first, the lobby draws our eye.

This warmly styled lobby combines the charms of a living room and a garden, with dozens of plants and even olive trees reaching towards the curving woodwork that flows along the ceiling. With mismatched chairs and tall windows, it’s like a sunroom in the city. Floor tiles with marbling and rugged textures could be a garden path, guiding us to our favourite spot next to the wall-climbing plants.

Remembering to come back to the lobby's coffee and books later, we move on to explore. It's clear that a distinctive décor theme runs through the hotel. Natural tones and textures, with patterns like local rock or the beach after a tide, welcome the Estonian outdoors into the interior. The sound of a classic movie draws us into the Kadakas room, where low, futon-style seating gives the place a sleepover vibe. The staff tell us it's super cosy for movie nights, and vibrant when locals drop in for big sports events.

Nearby, the clubhouse is another cool hangout right inside our Tallinn hotel. It's nice and quiet, with some guests working and others relaxing. Seeing a family playing our favourite board game, our daughter throws us a raised eyebrow that could mean 'this place is great' or 'I'm going to win again later'. It looks like a choice between game night and movie night later.

We finally make it to the roof terrace, and it doesn't disappoint. The bar is lit up and inviting now that the warmer weather has arrived, and Old Town lights twinkle below. The rooftop isn't the only tempting al fresco spot at Novotel Tallinn. There's a courtyard nestled in the middle of the hotel, with rooms surrounding it and nooks to sit in.

Ready to head to our room, we agree that the welcome feels completely authentic, not only because of the friendly reception we get from the staff, but also the home-like atmosphere. It's a place to anticipate returning to after a day of sightseeing, when the soft light of the Baltics turns to evening in Tallinn, and a warm orange-red glow from the restaurant and lobby windows call us back.

Before even knowing how much this Tallinn hotel would feel like a second home, we had booked an apartment for extra comfort and convenience. The one-bedroom apartment is remarkably airy for an abode in the city centre, and we immediately appoint the dining table by the huge picture window as our favourite spot to hang out. We're also delighted to have a terrace to enjoy the fresh coastal air in Tallinn.

The coast seems to be present in the décor, too, which continues the outside-inside flow we spotted when we arrived. The backsplash in the kitchen carries tones of the sea, and the bathroom has natural, sandy hues. As we've been travelling, we decide on the hotel restaurant for dinner rather than cooking on our first day, but we know the full kitchen is going to come in handy, with its stove and dishwasher, because cooking is something of a family hobby.

It's one of those smiles-all-round moments when we realise mornings are going to be about hot drinks on the terrace, and evenings all about flopping onto the living room sofa after a full day of exploring. Any inevitable debates about what to watch on the 55" TV won't be so bad when we're kicking back in the provided bathrobes. But first, dinner.

As we get further into our stay, we get to know Nook restaurant well. The spot blends with the lobby, so there's plenty of greenery all around the dining area. Fitting for a restaurant that focuses on natural, seasonal ingredients. Lunch is a big part of the service at Nook, and although there's an abundance of restaurants in Tallinn, we find ourselves popping back for lunch between museum visits and shopping trips. We soon realise that local workers are also regulars, which is a testament to the restaurant's quality.

The atmosphere is relaxed (dogs are welcome), and the menu is pretty informal. Like the restaurant itself, there's an easy, unforced elegance to many of the dishes – the beef tartare is a perfect example. Pesto pasta is one dish we order several times during our stay – it's one vegetarian option among plenty on the menu, and we learn that the chef has extensive experience cooking vegan fare. 

The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the street, creating a light, pleasant setting that offers a view of life ebbing and flowing in the capital. Office workers bustle by at lunchtime, and the vibrancy of city life is even closer on the terrace, where we dine on a particularly warm day. Mornings bring a sense of calm as Tallinn slowly stirs to life, and breakfast is served at Nook too. The aroma of fresh pastries guides the way to the breakfast buffet, which is filled with healthy options alongside a few treats.

Leaving the hotel each morning, we cross the street and plunge straight into the Old Town. Our 15-minute route to the central Town Hall Square is lined with rounded, rugged medieval towers, a distinctive feature of the walled city. The square itself is more quaint, and the centuries-old buildings have multi-coloured façades. We spend a day happily getting lost in the maze of winding streets and stopping in at cafés. 

The PoCo Pop And Contemporary Art Museum and Museum of Estonian Architecture are even closer to home (as we now refer to our hotel apartment), while the vintage stores of Balti Jaam Market are a 15-minute stroll to the west near Tallinn train station. This market is also where we end up buying fresh vegetables to cook in our apartment kitchen. The Kultuurikatel centre, hosting everything from concerts to corporate events, is right around the corner from the hotel, so we make a mental note to pop in and find out if there's anything interesting going on.

The area is also ideal for wellness. The harbour is a few minutes' walk away, and we take the opportunity to enjoy a bracing walk along the promenade as a fresh breeze blows in off the Baltic Sea. You can get a jogging map from friendly hotel staff and ensure the seafront is part of your route – it's the start of a healthy day that ends in Novotel Tallinn's rooftop sauna and hot tub (open in spring 2026). The leafy Kalaranna Promenade is good for picnics (which, let's be honest, are pretty much essential for well-being), and restaurants along the shore offer views of ships heading for Helsinki and Stockholm. For us, there are still more gems to discover in Tallinn.

• Families wanting home comforts like kitchens and living areas
• Couples looking to be close to major sights, nightlife and shopping
• Business guests attending events at the hotel or nearby
• Anyone planning a longer stay in Tallinn, with an apartment for convenience
• Travellers staying overnight before departing from the nearby harbour
• Pet owners looking for a casual Tallinn hotel that's dog friendly

• Rituals bathroom amenities inspired by ancient Asian wellness traditions
• Cute design features, like the pink and green sofas to flop down on for a break
• The irresistible little cookie on top of the Tiramisu Martini cocktail
• The option to request something to watch on the Kadakas screen during quieter times
• The laundry room at Novotel Tallinn makes a huge difference for longer stays

Address: Poordi 5, 10156 TALLINN

Directions: A 15-minute walk or 10 minutes by public transport from Tallinn train station