Assessment visible · Rates members only
Not recommended
Below our star-rating threshold
Tartu
Hotel Soho
★★★
Rüütli tn 9, 51007 Tartu, Estonia
Engine scores
·Newness ≈2022
·Location 4.4
Member rate
€—,———
Booking.com shows the public rate for the same room and dates
Members see this rate in full. It is typically lower than the public price on this property — the same room, the same hotel, the same confirmation.
Verdict
Is Hotel Soho Worth It? The Honest Verdict
9.0/10 Booking.com4.4/5 Google335 reviews read3-star
As of 20 August 2026, 335 guest reviews give Hotel Soho 9.0/10 on Booking.com and 4.4/5 on Google.
Most-repeated praise: Exceptional breakfast buffet with premium offerings including sparkling wine, ice cream, fresh fish, high-quality breads, waffles, and diverse international items that consistently impresses guests 87 reviews.
Pest check
Bed Bugs and Pest Reports at Hotel Soho — What 335 Reviews Say
None of the 335 guest reviews we read for Hotel Soho mention bed bugs, cockroaches, mice or other pests.
Complaints
Noise and Room Complaints at Hotel Soho: Which Rooms to Avoid
- Severe soundproofing deficiencies allowing neighbors' conversations, pre-parties and late-night returns from clubs to penetrate rooms with near-audible clarity 14 reviews
- Inconsistent housekeeping with instances of missed room cleanings across multiple nights, hair in bathrooms, dirty mirrors, dust and inadequate bathroom sanitation 9 reviews
- Dated, worn and tired room decor with 1990s-era furnishings, stained carpets, creaky beds, nonfunctional lights and general aesthetic neglect despite cleanliness 11 reviews
Rooms to avoid
- Rooms 419 specifically mentioned as problematic
- Street-facing rooms on Küütri and Rüütli streets
- Lower floors closer to bar district
What guests praise
Hotel Soho Reviews — What Guests Actually Say vs the Marketing
Hotel Soho sells itself as a 3-star hotel. What guests repeat most:
- Exceptional breakfast buffet with premium offerings including sparkling wine, ice cream, fresh fish, high-quality breads, waffles, and diverse international items that consistently impresses guests 87 reviews
- Unbeatable central location directly on the main pedestrian street in old town Tartu with Town Hall Square, university, churches, restaurants and bars within immediate walking distance 112 reviews
- Warm, professional and genuinely helpful staff who assist with local recommendations, provide flexible check-in/out, and create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the property 68 reviews
Room requests
Which Room Should You Ask For at Hotel Soho?
Ask for
- Rooms facing courtyard/interior side
- Rooms not on street-level floors
Method
How HotelShortlist Researched Hotel Soho
We read 335 public guest reviews of Hotel Soho, grouped repeated findings and counted how often each one appears. Pest figures are guest reports, not inspection results. Member-only detail is blurred on this page. Research updated 2026-08-20. If you represent Hotel Soho and believe something here is wrong, write to members@hotelshortlist.com and we will review it.
What guests love
Exceptional breakfast buffet with premium offerings including sparkling wine, ice cream, fresh fish, high-quality breads, waffles, and diverse international items that consistently impresses guests (87×)
Unbeatable central location directly on the main pedestrian street in old town Tartu with Town Hall Square, university, churches, restaurants and bars within immediate walking distance (112×)
Warm, professional and genuinely helpful staff who assist with local recommendations, provide flexible check-in/out, and create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the property (68×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this (54×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this(19×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Member(31×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding i(14×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Me(8×)
5 more positive findings visible to members.
Watch-outs · 8 recorded
Severe soundproofing deficiencies allowing neighbors' conversations, pre-parties and late-night returns from clubs to penetrate rooms with near-audible clarity (14×)
Inconsistent housekeeping with instances of missed room cleanings across multiple nights, hair in bathrooms, dirty mirrors, dust and inadequate bathroom sanitation (9×)
Dated, worn and tired room decor with 1990s-era furnishings, stained carpets, creaky beds, nonfunctional lights and general aesthetic neglect despite cleanliness (11×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full M
(8×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full M
(9×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members
(8×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in
(6×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members
(5×)
5 more watch-outs are visible to members.
Parking note. Adequate — Free or paid parking available across the street with access barrier, though availability varies and guests report needing city parking during peak seasons.
Review history 335 dated reviews · 2022-02 → 2026-08
Monthly average (1–5)Smoothed trend
Review counts: 335 Google
1 long break in reviews (shaded on the chart) — the hotel may have closed or renovated.
What the trend suggests
Possible decline2023-07 – 2023-0875% confidence
Two consecutive months of falling ratings (3.17 in July 2023, 3.73 in August 2023) suggest a service or facility issue during mid-summer 2023. Q3 2023 snippets document emerging complaints: room odour ('Quarto com mau cheiro'), worn bed/mattress ('colchão desconfortável'), poor dinner service ('Serviço de jantar péssimo'), and sound insulation problems ('VÄGA läbikostvad seinad'). The recovery to 4.75 in September indicates the issue was temporary, consistent with a seasonal or staffing challenge.
Issue resolved2022-02 – 2025-0972% confidence
WiFi unavailability was noted in Q2 2022 ('Wi-fi numuriņā gan neķēra!'). No subsequent complaints about WiFi appear in Q3 2022 through Q3 2025 snippets, suggesting the issue was resolved by mid-2022 and remains absent in recent reviews.
Emerging issue2024-01 – 2025-0976% confidence
Room renovation/age concerns intensify in recent periods. Q1 2024 onwards ('rooms are dated'), Q2 2024 ('Tuba oli pisut väsinud'), Q3 2024 ('Toad on väsinud'), and Q3 2025 ('Hotel con falta de renovación (las camas se hunden muchísimo)') show consistent complaints about worn furnishings, worn-out beds, and lack of modernisation. This pattern is notably absent or minor in 2022–early 2023 but becomes pronounced by 2024–2025, suggesting visible aging of the property.
Members see the full detail. Ask for an introduction
What guests report
View
Courtyard-facing rooms offer complete peace; street-facing rooms subject to bar noise and traffic
Bed & mattress
Generally comfortable mattresses praised, but some units show significant wear and sagging requiring replacement
Bathroom & water
Good water pressure and hot water; some issues with drainage, mold visibility, and mirror fogging during showers
Wi-Fi
Free, reliable and notably fast throughout the property
Breakfast
Exceptional quality and variety including sparkling wine and ice cream; worth the stay alone; best breakfast many guests have experienced
AC / heating
Functional air conditioning appreciated, though some units reported as broken or not producing heat
Elevator
Available
Hotel team
Sales manager
Members see thi
Head of creative
Members see
Hotel Receptionist
Members see thi
Members see the full detail. Ask for an introduction
Local knowledge
Request a courtyard-facing room to eliminate street noise from bars and clubs; these rooms have complete silence even with windows open
Breakfast is outstanding but fills up around 9:30-10:00am; go early for hot items like eggs, waffles, porridge, or request staff to replenish
Earplugs are provided in every room; essential for weekend stays or rooms facing Küütri/Rüütli streets due to active bar scene
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Memb
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members se
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in
Members see the full detail. Ask for an introduction
Room intel
Quiet rooms / wings
- Rooms facing courtyard/interior side
- Rooms not on street-level floors
Noisy rooms to avoid
- Rooms 419 specifically mentioned as problematic
- Street-facing rooms on Küütri and Rüütli streets
- Lower floors closer to bar district
Extra charges guests were surprised by
- Members see this finding in full Members s
- Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in
- Members see this finding in full Members see this fin
Members see the full detail. Ask for an introduction
Character & facilities
Family facilities
- Ice cream at breakfast
- Children's menu mentioned
- Described as welcoming for families with kids
Rooms & categories
5 room types
4 photosBEST VALUE
Twin Bed Room
Twin Bed Room
Tea/Coffee makerShowerTVAir conditioningHairdryerDesk
5 photosOPTION 2
Double
Double
Tea/Coffee makerShowerTVAir conditioningHairdryerDesk
6 photosOPTION 3
Superior Room
Superior Room
Tea/Coffee makerShowerSafety deposit boxTVAir conditioningHairdryer
6 photosOPTION 4
Superior Double
Superior Double
Tea/Coffee makerShowerSafety deposit boxTVAir conditioningHairdryer
5 photosOPTION 5
Spa Access Suite
Spa Access Suite
Tea/Coffee makerShowerBathSafety deposit boxTVAir conditioning
You are reading research nobody publishes.
This assessment is one of 200+ across 25+ cities. Members also see the rate — and book it. Membership is by introduction; if you found your way here, tell us who you are.