#933061 by marshy11
25 Feb 2017, 15:52
Flight 1 was LHR to HEL. Welcome to flight 2.

From plane to airbridge into the terminal at gate 38. Our connecting flight to Tallinn was from 20A. This was NO mean feat! Firstly, landing in non Schengen you have to go through passport control, which is relatively straight forward and quick. But then, as you leave the passport kiosk you are turfed-out into arrivals. It took us a few moments to work out which way we had to go as the signage wasn't overly clear. Thankfully there were other [Headforpoints] travellers on the same flight and we muddled through for a few moments before seeing the way we needed to go. We arrived at the gate to see it was flagged for a different destination. Perplexed, we all got our iPhones out and tried to work the Finnair app to show us where we should be. After 5 minutes the gate was adjusted and showed Tallinn. iPhone boarding passes shown and down the stairs to the awaiting bus.

Like good British citizens we queued at the glass doors of the terminal waiting for them to be opened. We must have waited 10-15 minutes until a Finn calmly walked up to the doors and they opened. He boarded the bus and the hoards then followed. Two minute drive around the runway to the aircraft an ATR72. We parked alongside and waited. The door opened, the steps dropped to the ground and the crew indicated "two minutes" (well it was either that or she was telling us to foxtrot oscar). Within a minute we were off the bus and up the steps. This plane boards from the back and it's a struggle to board and the overhead bins are small. Our regulation cabin bag wouldn't fit and had to go on the floor under [sort of] the seat in front. It was a squash but actually we had a bit of legroom and all was fine. The flight was 20 minutes, 5 of those were taking off and (what seemed like) only a minute to descend. It was bumpy on landing and He eventually regained the blood in his fingers from holding my hand sometime later.

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For those that are still reading, we took an Uber from Tallinn airport (7 minute wait from booking) which only cost €1.50 - so shocked were we at the price that the driver got a nice tip.

We booked a standard king room at the Hilton for a part point part cash price of €42 and 12,500 points a night. Being Gold, I knew I would be upgraded to a deluxe and that suited us. But, 3 days before we flew we had an email from the Executive Club manager, welcoming us to Tallinn and confirming an upgrade to the Executive Lounge on floor 11. The room is fantastic. A stunning full wall of glass overlooking the city and bay. The usual food/drink happy hour 6-8pm is excellent and by far the BEST food and drink offering in an executive lounge we have ever had. The staff are super and I would recommend if you come to Tallinn (and you SHOULD) then you ABSOLUTELY have to stay here.

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The view from the window.
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This is the first half of a 200TP and 4402 avios weekend.

Oh and it snowed (-8 most of the time we were there!).

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The snow.
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#933062 by marshy11
25 Feb 2017, 16:12
The lounge.
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#933070 by hiljil
25 Feb 2017, 18:05
I really enjoyed reading all about your trip & am so pleased it all went well. Thank you.
I do find that the food in Hilton Executive lounges varies far more than it should.
#933071 by pjh
25 Feb 2017, 18:56
Looks well worth investigating Tallinn. All I really know about it is as the destination for a challenge that #1 son did when at Sheffield University. Hopefully I'll be able to take advantage of one of Hilton's offers to extend my Diamond membership and still be able to take advantage of a top notch looking Exec Lounge.


hiljil wrote:I do find that the food in Hilton Executive lounges varies far more than it should.


Down to being franchises I guess.
#933112 by Bretty
26 Feb 2017, 23:05
Thanks for some super TRs Marshy. I have fond memories of a great long weekend in Tallinn in December a few years ago. Loved it, and we had snow, -13 temperatures and Christmas market in the old town square, and a fantastic top notch night at the opera for about £30 per person. I also seem to remember a great cafe in the old town square, can't remember what it was called but it seemed to be partly underground like basement, with excellent food and hot chocolate, pure liquid chocolate warm and wonderful. Funny the things you remember.

We've been meaning to go back since.
Virgin Atlantic

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