My wife and I stayed here for four nights over New Year’s Eve 2005, so apologies about the long delay in posting a review.

We found The Three Sisters to be first class throughout. The attention to detail in the design and refurbishment is absolutely amazing, resulting in a hotel which is stunning to look at and explore. The lobby has a roaring log fire and comfortable chairs. Staff were generally warm and welcoming, but some needed a big smile from me to help them along.

We stayed in room 11, which had a lovely comfortable four-poster bed, writing desk and chair, small plasma TV and DVD player, and lots of wardrobe space. The bathroom had under-floor heating and although it was small the design and layout made the most of it. I do agree with other posts that the shower over the bath tended to cause leaks onto the floor, but it really was nothing to get excited about.

Our room was facing over Pikk Street and we had a lovely balcony with superb views down in the direction of the square, and up to Fat Margaret’s tower and the old walls. The glazing design was such that the patio window was set back into the room so we could go out onto the balcony and enjoy the view without the room cooling down in the -13oC temperature. This was also the perfect place to cool drinks, but if we left water out overnight it was frozen solid in the morning!

We found the breakfast buffet to be substantial – fruit, cereals, all the continental trimmings like cheeses and meats and plenty of choices of bread. Admittedly, the staff were not in any rush when bringing tea or coffee, or to take your order for eggs or omelettes.

Inside the hotel we made use of the library as a place to chill out and flick through some of the cool designer books and the guides on Tallinn. Board games were also available, and DVDs could be borrowed from reception to take up to your room. On New Year’s Eve we sat down in the lobby of the middle sister and had a few glasses of wine when watching the seriously rich arrive for the Gala Dinner in their suits and party dresses.

The location is absolutely fantastic. Out the front door and to the right it is a short five or six minute stroll down cobbled Pikk Street to the Old Town Square. On the way you are surrounded by hundreds of years of history, such as the St. Olaf’s Church, countless medieval merchants’ houses and the former KGB headquarters. You can also drop in for a Saku beer or a mulled wine in Hell Hunt bar. To the left of the front door it’s only fifty metres walk to the old town walls and fortifications, including the huge Fat Margaret’s Tower. The airport was on fifteen minutes in a taxi, and the ferry terminal to Stockholm or Helsinki only ten minutes walk.

When in Tallinn I recommend allowing yourself at least two full days (three nights) for sightseeing. Although the old town is compact, there is plenty to do and so many gorgeous pubs and cafes to disrupt even the best laid plans. We ate in both medieval themed restaurants – Olde Hansa and Peppersack – and loved them equally. Explore the shops and churches, walk up Toompea Hill, walk around the perimeter of the city walls. On New Year’s Eve at about 11:30pm we walked down to the Old Town Square and enjoyed an impromptu firework display. Rockets were flying everywhere and people were drinking champagne from plastic cups or straight from the bottle! The atmosphere was one of fun and happiness – not a drunken yob or an argument in sight.

We also went on a full day trip to Helsinki, simply because it was close by and we had a bit of time to spare. The catamaran was quick and comfortable, and we had a good time in Helsinki, but only for the day. I would recommend going if you have the time, but it is seriously expensive and there’s actually very little to do. It does not have any of Tallinn’s charm, and the architecture can be summarised as ‘grey’ and ‘square’. In my opinion, those people who spend a few days in Helsinki and visit Tallinn for a few hours are doing things completely the wrong way about!

Maybe our enjoyment was heightened by the snow outside and the huge Christmas tree in the square, but we found Tallinn and the Three Sisters to be very special. We have been extremely fortunate to have travelled to the majority of European cities and we would rank Tallinn in the top two or three for a long weekend. If you are looking for a hotel which reflects the medieval history of Tallinn combined with modern luxuries, then The Three Sisters is the place for you. I recommend it highly.