Heritage Hotels in Helsinki: Where the Old Meets the New
Helsinki is a city where historic elegance meets modern luxury, making it an ideal destination for travelers who love heritage hotels. From iconic 19th-century buildings to former palaces turned boutique stays, these hotels provide a glimpse into Finland’s rich history while offering top-tier hospitality and contemporary comfort.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top heritage hotels in Helsinki, their historical significance, and what makes them unique for an unforgettable stay.
Heritage Hotels in Helsinki: What you’re going to read
Why should I stay in a heritage hotel?
Clarion Collection Hotel Katajanokka
What is a heritage hotel?
A heritage hotel is a type of accommodation housed in facilities of historical and cultural importance. Typically, heritage hotels are historical buildings that have been restored, renovated, and repurposed as accommodations. Castles, mansions, old palaces, or forts can become heritage hotels.
In Helsinki, heritage hotels often share these characteristics.
Architectural Legacy: Many are housed in buildings that date back to the 19th or early 20th century.
Historical Importance: Some have hosted royalty, politicians, or artists, playing a role in Finnish cultural history.
Preservation of Tradition: Interiors feature antique furnishings, original artwork, and restored details from past centuries.
These hotels offer more than just a place to sleep—they provide a direct connection to Helsinki’s past.
Why should I stay in a heritage hotel?
Heritage hotels are places where history, culture, and the contemporary merge. During your stay in a heritage hotel, you will experience the history and culture of the facility and the country you are visiting. Because heritage hotels have strong connections to the region’s past, they are often decorated with antiques, artwork, and furniture that celebrate topical culture and history.
Heritage hotels also allow their guests to live in architectural marvels. It is not an everyday occurrence that a person resides in the quarters of a castle or a palace. The architecture of these hotels tries to remain loyal to their original design with ornate embellishments, stonework, and woodwork reminiscent of their passage through history. The fact that heritage hotels are in historic buildings does not steal from their luxuriousness or comfort. They still provide value services and accommodation to their visitors while offering a unique experience.
Heritage Hotels in Helsinki
Hotel Kämp
Carl Kämp built Hotel Kämp in 1887. He was a restaurateur who aspired to build a modern and continental hotel in Helsinki. The architect Theodor Höijer completed his masterpiece on the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Kluuvikatu. The press at the time described it as ‘regal, ‘magnificent,’ and ‘continental.’ It brought Finland into the modern world by employing machines such as the elevator.
Thanks to its central location in Helsinki, Hotel Kämp became the meeting point for the contemporary elite. Journalists, artists, writers, politicians, and intellectuals of the Finnish Golden Age favored Hotel Kämp for their meetings and events, appreciating its accessibility and convenience.
In 1961, the Kansallis-Osake-Pankki Bank saw the building’s deterioration as an opportunity to build its offices on the premises. In 1965 they closed Hotel Kämp. The bank held its offices in the facility up until 1996. Then, in 1999, a new chapter began as Hotel Kämp was revived, entering the modern era while bearing all its glory and reality.
Hotel Kämp offers its guests 179 luxurious rooms ranging from the Deluxe room to the magnificent Mannerheim Suite of 258m2. It also has ten conference rooms for meetings and banquets. This heritage hotel has a spa, where guests can relax and pamper themselves, a bar, where they can enjoy a nightcap, and a brasserie, where visitors can enjoy dinner with a view of Esplanade Park.
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
The Radisson Blu Plaza, a gem among the heritage hotels in Finland, holds a significant place in the country’s history. Its construction began on the eve of Finland’s independence, 5 December 1917, by SOK, a leading wholesale enterprise in Finland. It opened its gates as SOK headquarters in 1921 and served as such for 70 years, a testament to its enduring legacy.
The SOK headquarters, now transformed into hotel accommodations, has managed to retain all of its original glory and glamor. To this day, people use the SOK board meeting room for meetings. The old exhibition room, where new products from around the world were presented to the customers, is now the Plaza Restaurant, a living testament to the hotel’s rich past.
The hotel has tried to maintain its early 20th-century art deco architectural elements. It has classical rooms, which remain loyal to the hotel’s historical tradition, and modern rooms, which are located in the new section of the hotel. The new section of the hotel opened in the 1990s and was designed by Arkval Arkkitehdit at a time when the surrounding environment of the Plaza Hotel was stepping into the modern era.
The Plaza Hotel opened to the public in 1999. Both the construction and opening days hold significance for the Finnish people. The commencement of construction of the SOK headquarters coincided with the eve of Finland’s Independence from Russian rule. In contrast, the grand opening of the Plaza Hotel coincided with the year Finland joined the eurozone.
The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Helsinki has 302 lavish rooms decorated with designs by famous and classical Finns. Guests can dine at the Bistro Vilho restaurant or drink at the Lobby Bar. The Plaza Hotel also offers facilities and technologies for meetings and events.
GLO Hotel Art
They built The GLO Hotel Art 1903, at the turn of the 20th century. It was designed by Karl Lindahl and Walter Thomé and originally intended as a leisure space for the students of a nearby polytechnical institute.
The GLO Hotel in Helsinki resembles a castle with towers and balconies. Art nouveau heavily influenced the build at the beginning of the 20th century. Its architecture merges European Art Nouveau and Finland’s National Romantic style. In this stone castle, guests will encounter grey granite and arch windows combined with colorful and stylized ornates.
The GLO Hotel Art has entered the modern era through careful renovations but has yet to lose its majestic grandeur. Even though it is a castle, the hotel offers a connection with a Europark parking garage for easy access. This facility is where the old and the new coexist. This 100-year-old castle is equipped with 171 modern rooms. It also offers fitness and wellness services at the in-house gym. The hotel’s skilled staff ensures that meetings and events run smoothly while guests wine and dine at the GLO Art Lounge Bar.
Solo Sokos Hotel Torni
Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, located in Helsinki, was a magnificent skyscraper designed by Jung & Jung, inspired by American 1920s skyscrapers. The hotel featured 100 rooms, several restaurants, and private dining rooms. Kone supplied the elevator, and Arabia provided tableware. It was Finland’s first fully electrified building, and some rooms featured bathrooms.
Food and drink played a significant role in Torni’s restaurant life. The hotel was influenced by Prohibition, World War II, and the 1950s austerity. The late 1930s saw prosperous times with better ingredients and celebratory dinners.
Ateljee Bar opened at the top of Hotel Torni in 1951, offering spectacular drinks, stunning views, and exhibition space for young artists. The passageway to Torni’s roof opened in the 1930s, and was a mooring point for the German Graf Zeppelin airship visiting Helsinki. American Bar, founded in 1960, became a popular meeting place for city residents, where trendy cocktails were enjoyed.
In 1972, the Helsinki Cooperative Society leased Hotel Torni and joined the Finnish Sokos Hotels chain. They integrated the Jugendstil residential building Kyllikki into the hotel in 1981, providing 50 rooms in the national romantic style.
Clarion Collection Hotel Katajanokka
Hotel Katajanokka’s main building dates back to 1888, with the earliest part opening in 1837. It initially served as the Helsinki County Prison and Investigative Penitentiary. The original tenants remained there until 2002. After significant restorations and conversions, they transformed the former prison into a chic hotel in May 2007.
The Finnish National Board of Antiquities has ensured that the main hallway, outside shell, and surrounding red brick walls are preserved so that modern-day visitors can be reminded of the many colorful and occasionally tragic tales that have been told here in the past.
In 2017, the building underwent a minor refurbishment and a comprehensive inside redesign. It was to celebrate its tenth anniversary as a hotel. The Hotel Katajanokka is now a contemporary lifestyle hotel. It prides itself on providing guests with warm, individualized service in a historic and distinctive setting.
The old prison cells underwent transformations and are now elegant guest rooms. The old prison canteen is now the hotel’s Linnankellari restaurant. In the summertime, visitors of this heritage hotel can enjoy the sun or the night view of Helsinki on the courtyard terrace.
Best Time to Stay in a Heritage Hotel in Helsinki
Choosing when to visit Helsinki can enhance the experience of staying in a heritage hotel.
Spring and Summer (May – August): Ideal for enjoying Helsinki’s architectural beauty, exploring historic neighborhoods, and experiencing extended daylight hours. Many heritage hotels offer summer terrace dining.
Autumn (September – October): A quieter period with fewer tourists, making it an excellent time for travelers seeking a peaceful historic stay.
Winter (November – February): Staying in a heritage hotel during winter provides a cozy retreat with grand interiors, fireplaces, and festive decorations that highlight their historic charm.
Conclusion: Experience Helsinki’s History Through Its Heritage Hotels
Staying in a heritage hotel in Helsinki offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s rich history while enjoying modern comforts. Whether it’s the timeless elegance of Hotel Kämp, the boutique charm of Hotel Haven, or the Art Deco-inspired interiors of Hotel Lilla Roberts, each hotel provides an experience that extends beyond accommodation.
Which heritage hotel in Helsinki interests you the most? Have you stayed in any of these historic hotels? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Next time you visit Finland, break the routine and add a hint of excitement to your stay. You can choose accommodations that differ from the lot. Stay in an art nouveau castle, a 1920s department store, or, if you’re brave, a renovated prison. Heritage hotels in Helsinki offer more than an out-of-the-ordinary building. They give you a glimpse of Finland’s history and culture.
Enjoy our 3-hour Helsinki tour on foot or customize your Helsinki experience. Create your own guided walking or a bike tour.
Credits: kamphotel, plazahotelhelsinki, glo_hotels, ateljeebarhelsinki, Clarion Collection Hotel Katajanokka
FAQ
Hotel Kämp, established in 1887, is the oldest and most prestigious historic hotel in Helsinki.
Prices vary, but luxury heritage hotels like Hotel Kämp are on the higher end. However, boutique historic hotels offer more affordable options.
Hotel Haven and Hotel Lilla Roberts offer a romantic atmosphere with a blend of history and modern luxury.
Helsinki is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, with high costs for accommodation, dining, and transportation. However, budget options like hostels, public transport, and affordable eateries help manage costs.
The city center (Kamppi & Kluuvi) is ideal for tourists, offering easy access to attractions, restaurants, and shopping. Katajanokka is great for a quieter, historic experience, while Punavuori is perfect for trendy cafes and nightlife.
Yes, 3 days is enough to see Helsinki’s main attractions, including Senate Square, Suomenlinna Fortress, the Design District, and Market Square. If you want to explore beyond the city, consider a day trip to Porvoo or Nuuksio National Park.
BTS reportedly stayed at Hotel Kämp, a five-star luxury hotel in central Helsinki known for its historic charm and celebrity clientele.
