🇫🇮 Oulu, Finland
Best Western Hotel Apollo
📍 Oulu
Your stay — Best Western Hotel Apollo
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Oulu.
The Property — Best Western Hotel Apollo
The Best Western Hotel Apollo sits on a pedestrian street in central Oulu, a short walk from the market square and the harbour. The lobby is clean and functional with a breakfast buffet that includes local rye bread and smoked fish; the rooms are basic but well-kept, with decent soundproofing. It suits business travellers and budget tourists who want a reliable, central base without frills.
Chronicles of Oulu
Oulu was founded in 1605 by King Charles IX of Sweden as a trading post. The city largely burned down in 1822 and was rebuilt in a neoclassical grid pattern, earning the nickname 'The City of the Bock' after its prominent neoclassical buildings. Today Oulu is a tech hub, home to Nokia's early growth and a strong startup scene, but it retains its maritime character with the Oulujoki river running through its centre. The market square and the late-19th-century Oulu Cathedral define the old town, while modern architecture like the Toripolliisi statue and the Edge science centre reflect its mix of history and innovation.
Best Time to Visit
Full Oulu guide →Best months
July, August, September – warmest temperatures (15-20°C), long daylight (midnight sun effect in June-July), and fewer crowds than June.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month, driven by the Oulu Music Festival (late July) and the Solistipankki music series; hotel prices rise 20-30% and advance booking is essential.
Budget shoulder season
May and September are excellent shoulder months: milder weather (5-15°C), significant discounts (up to 40% off peak rates), and quieter streets.
Weather & packing
Oulu's climate is subarctic with cool summer nights even in July; pack a waterproof jacket and layers, always bring a sweater for evenings.
Live City Briefing — Oulu
- Oulu Airport is undergoing terminal renovations until late 2026, with some reduced capacity; check with your airline for any gate changes or lounge access.
- The Oulu Market Hall has recently reopened after a full renovation, now with additional food stalls and a small craft beer tasting room.
- In July 2026, the city is hosting the annual Oulu Flow Festival (electronic music) at the Nallikari beach area – expect increased noise and foot traffic near the coast.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Best Western Hotel Apollo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4 or 5, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These upper floors avoid foot traffic noise from the lobby and have better insulation from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those overlooking Oulu's main thoroughfares. Ground-floor rooms near the reception or breakfast area can hear hallway chatter and early-morning kitchen prep.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms at the front may catch a glimpse of the Oulu Cathedral spire or the market square; courtyard views are greener and more peaceful, but lack a landmark.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–5 are consistently quieter, well above street level and away from public areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Oulu's city-centre streets have delivery trucks early (6–7am) and lingering bar/restaurant noise until midnight on weekends. The hotel sits near a main road and the bus station, so occasional bus idling and tram-like traffic can be heard on lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a courtyard-facing room when booking — they’re markedly quieter. 2. If arriving by car, the hotel’s limited parking fills by mid-afternoon; use the public car park behind the hotel (parking garage, hourly fee) as a reliable backup.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Best Western Hotel Apollo
Free for all guests; speeds up to 30 Mbps; no login required for guest network.
One lift serves all 6 floors; no stairs-only sections.
Digital PressReader access via hotel tablet in lobby; no physical papers. Building is a 1970s concrete tower with a modern glass atrium.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 12:00. Late check-out until 13:00 costs €15; after 13:00 charged full extra night.
Free behind front desk; open 24h for retrieval.
Step-free entrance via ramp at main door; lifts to all floors; one accessible room available. No special entrance for rear car park.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Keskustan Pysäköintitalo (Torikatu 6), €16 per night (24h). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Oulun Lähetysseurakunta (184 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: Oulun moskeija (312 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Vanha Pappila (509 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Pikku-Sofian kirkko (580 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Kauppakortteli Pekuri — 876 m · ~11 min walk
Sara Wacklinin tori — 383 m · ~5 min walk
Tiedekeskus Tietomaa — 985 m · ~12 min walk
Teatteri Rio — 610 m · ~8 min walk
Puusepänpuiston leikkipaikka — 488 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 182 m · ~2 min walk
Oulun Vanha apteekki — 421 m · ~5 min walk
K-Market — 268 m · ~3 min walk
Oulu — 91 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use local ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange desks at the airport or tourist offices, which have poor rates and fees.
Cards are widely accepted everywhere, including contactless and mobile payments; you rarely need cash.
Tipping is not expected; rounding up the bill is a polite gesture, but not required. Taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A filter coffee at a café or lunch buffet costs around €3.
A lunch buffet (lounas) at a café or casual restaurant costs €10–12, including a main, salad, bread, and drink.
A main course at an affordable pub or pizzeria costs €14–18.
Street food is not a big scene here; look for grill kiosks (grillikioski) serving affordable sausages, burgers, and fries, especially around the market square.
Supermarkets like K-Market, S-Market, and Lidl are common; Lidl is cheapest for basics.
For affordable shopping, check the city-centre chain stores like H&M, Cubus, or Lindex; no local market for clothes.
A single bus ticket is €3.80; a day pass (24h) costs €8.50. From the airport, take bus line 9 (€4.50) or taxi (€25–30).
Eat lunch at buffet restaurants (lounas) instead of dinner to save money; use the bus day pass if doing multiple trips; buy groceries at Lidl and avoid tourist-area cafés.
Good to know — Oulu
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
OuluIn Oulu, dial 112 for all emergencies (police, ambulance, fire). For non-urgent police matters, call +358 295 420 130. The Oulu University Hospital switchboard is +358 8 315 2011, but still use 112 for ambulance.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Oulu, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Best Western Hotel Apollo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 182 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Oulun Vanha apteekki — 421 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Oulu Railway Station (2 km from hotel) → Any VR station in Finland (e.g., Helsinki, Tampere, Rovaniemi)
💡 The hotel is a 25-min walk or 5-min bus (Line 4) from the station. Check VR's early bird deals—nearly half price.
Oulu Airport (OUL) → Hotelli Lasaretti
💡 Book via Valopilkku app for fixed fares—sometimes cheaper than the meter.
Hotelli Lasaretti stop: 'Lasaretti' → Oulu City Centre (Stop: Toripakka / Kauppatori)
💡 Buy a 24-hour card (€8.20) from the ticket machine at Rotuaari—unlimited rides on all city buses.
Oulu Airport → Oulu City Centre (Stop: Oulun Linja-autoasema)
💡 Get off at Oulun Linja-autoasema, then walk 8 mins to Hotelli Lasaretti—it's a straight line down Isokatu.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
Request a room on floors 4 or 5, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street. These upper floors avoid foot traffic noise from the lobby and have better insulation from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
Avoid rooms on the first and second floors, especially those overlooking Oulu's main thoroughfares. Ground-floor rooms near the reception or breakfast area can hear hallway chatter and early-morning kitchen prep.
Is Best Western Hotel Apollo noisy?
Oulu's city-centre streets have delivery trucks early (6–7am) and lingering bar/restaurant noise until midnight on weekends. The hotel sits near a main road and the bus station, so occasional bus idling and tram-like traffic can be heard on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
Upper-floor rooms at the front may catch a glimpse of the Oulu Cathedral spire or the market square; courtyard views are greener and more peaceful, but lack a landmark.
What are insider tips for staying at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
1. Ask for a courtyard-facing room when booking — they’re markedly quieter. 2. If arriving by car, the hotel’s limited parking fills by mid-afternoon; use the public car park behind the hotel (parking garage, hourly fee) as a reliable backup.
What time is check-in at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
Check-in at Best Western Hotel Apollo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Best Western Hotel Apollo have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speeds up to 30 Mbps; no login required for guest network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Best Western Hotel Apollo?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Best Western Hotel Apollo?
A lunch buffet (lounas) at a café or casual restaurant costs €10–12, including a main, salad, bread, and drink.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Best Western Hotel Apollo?
A single bus ticket is €3.80; a day pass (24h) costs €8.50. From the airport, take bus line 9 (€4.50) or taxi (€25–30).
When is the best time to visit Oulu?
July, August, September – warmest temperatures (15-20°C), long daylight (midnight sun effect in June-July), and fewer crowds than June.
Top Attractions in Oulu
💡 For a cheap lunch, buy a €5 slice of kalakukko (fish-and-pork pie) from the stall near the rear entrance. They wrap it in paper – eat it on the benches by the Rotuaari pedestrian square. Open until 18:00 most days.
💡 Check the noticeboard at the entrance. On occasional Saturdays in summer, free guided tours in English cover the building's history as a church and trading post site.
💡 The gallery shop sells prints and postcards by local artists at reasonable prices (€3-€8). Check the 'Kuukauden taiteilija' (Artist of the Month) wall in the lobby – often a lesser-known Northern painter.
💡 Head to the northern end in late evening for sunset views over the river and Hupisaari islands. Free outdoor concerts sometimes happen here in July.
💡 Combine with a walk to the Nallikari beach via the pedestrian bridge. Bring binoculars: the islands are good for spotting birds like herons and mergansers in spring.