When opened in 1931, it became the tallest building in Finland, a position it maintained until the completion of the new Neste headquarters in neighboring Espoo in 1976.

The hotel served the needs of air defense during the Second World War, when members of the Finnish women's paramilitary organization Lotta Svärd used it as a watchtower to spot Soviet bombers.

Immediately after the cessation of the war, Hotelli Torni served as the headquarters of the Allied Control Commission monitoring Finnish compliance with the obligations of the Moscow Armistice.

Lee Harvey Oswald, who would later assassinate John F. Kennedy, stayed in the hotel from 10 to 11 October 1959, while on his way to defect to the USSR.

The Ateljee Bar provides a monthly changing art exhibition featuring Finnish artists.