The 5-star rated Marski By Scandic hotel with its unique #Finnfullness concept defining harmony and complete unity with nature is the first Scandic hotel in Finland with its own brand.
Marski by Scandic or simply Marski with one of the best locations in the city is situated on very central street of Helsinki Mannerheimintie. It’s just 300 meters far from Central Railway Station, Market Square and Esplanadi Shopping District, directly opposite the oldest shopping mall Stockmann and the Swedish National Theatre.
Marski was built in 1962, and after restoration in summer of 2019 it reopened its doors to visitors.
The renewed interiors of Marski By Scandic, which received an eco-hotel certificate, attract with its cosy and genuine Finnish atmosphere. Laconic and stylish with a dominance of organic materials, it’s been designed in colors of nature: green, gray, bordeaux, terracotta, turquoise.
Marski regularly takes part in cultural life of the city: the annual Lux Helsinki Light Festival which is traditionally held at the beginning of January, has been decorating the facades of the hotel for several years in a row.
This year in windows of the Marski’s ground floor the elegant lighting installations of famous Finnish artist Jouni Väänänen could be seen.
The hotel’s room fund (363 rooms) includes different accommodation options: double or single standard, double Delux, double Premium, rooms without windows as well as luxurious suites with private sauna. All rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and stereo systems, electric kettle, tea & coffee making facilities, minibar, free Wi-Fi access, free toiletries, hairdryer. Luxury room categories feature slippers and bathrobes as well as a professional coffee maker and electric stove. Parking is provided for guests with their own vehicles. Overall, Marski’s special pride is a beautiful city view can be seen from most of the hotel room windows.
Marski provides everything for business meetings as well as for pure recreation — two Finnish saunas (male and female), a health center and a fitness club.
Friendly and responsive multilingual staff is always happy to help in solving any questions to make your stay as comfortable as possible and provide with relevant touristic recommendations.
Also you can find a small shop at the reception of the hotel and buy the hotel’s signature products: liquorice balls in chocolate, Marski-roasted coffee “7.01” or various souvenirs.
In the photo: Marski by Scandic General Manager Jouko Puranen
As Marski’s General Manager Jouko Puranen says: “We try to do everything so that each guest finds something special for himself in our hotel and coming here once he would like to return again. I have been working in hospitality for 27 years and I know that no matter how ideal the hotel is — there is always something missing. We completely understand that someone likes us and someone doesn’t, this is absolutely normal. Life doesn’t stand, it’s constantly changing and equally the desires of people do. Therefore we growing and developing in step with the times. We’ve got many plans and projects for the nearest future, among them is a grand-opening of hotel’s rooftop terrace next summer”.
In the photo: Hotel Concierge Virpi Vidal
Special concierge presence is another distinctive feature of Marski By Scandic. There is few hotels in Finland with this post. Friendly and hospitable Virpi Vidal will provide guests with pleasant and memorable stay at the hotel and will tell about main hotel events which is also an important part of the service. Thematic events for hotel guests are held weekly at Marski: sauna-yoga on Saturdays and visits to the Ateneum Museum on Wednesdays as well as interesting excursions to the Art Gallery or Marski Live concerts at the lobby-bar.
The gastronomic point of the hotel is no less entertaining and varied. A noteworthy restaurant with classic Finnish and international cuisine Kuusi Palaa is located on the ground floor of Marski.
The name of the restaurant in Finnish means “Six Parts” but in addition to this meaning the phrase has eight others – a pure play on words. Emblems of nine “kuusi palaa” values are displayed on the panoramic windows of the restaurant.
Every morning the restaurant offers a hearty Finnish style buffet-breakfast for all hotel guests.
Large selection of cold appetizers: meat & cheese cold cuts (incl. vegetarian), smoked salmon, fresh and pickled vegetables, mustard herring, crumbly cottage cheese, fresh organic vegetables.
Famous Karelian pies with munavoi (butter, whipped with a crushed boiled egg) as well as porridge are necessary elements of Finnish breakfast. Traditional oatmeal or Marski signature porridge could be complemented by home-made jam, stewed berries or Raejuusto crumbly cheese.
Warm dishes: various Finnish mini-sausages, bacon, meatballs, vegetarian falafel, Benedict with vegetables, omelette and fried eggs.
A large selection of cereals, granola, muesli which you could be mixed with nuts, dried fruits, honey, jams and enjoyed with traditional/vegetable milk and fresh yogurts.
Homemade bread, crispy croissants and rolls are baked fresh every morning at Marski.
Try with them house butter, cream cheese, hummus and even vegetarian oatmeal cream cheese.
Much attention is given to gluten-free products: bakery, pies, portioned cereals, cookies, granola.
Power-up Bar is a real catch for healthy eating adherents. Natural berry powders (blueberry, sea buckthorn, cranberry, lingonberry) and syrups could be added in every dish to taste.
Drinks menu offers freshly squeezed juices and vitamin shots, fruit drinks, berry smoothies, coffee, cocoa and tea.
For morning dessert besides fruit and pastries crispy Belgian waffles waiting for you. Try to cook them yourself at a special “Waffle” station following instructions. Don’t forget to sweeten them with raspberry-licorice jam, whipped cream, Nutella or stewed berries.
During the daytime and evening hours restaurant Kuusi Palaa offers an a la carte menu with a large selection of meat, fish and vegetable dishes.
One of the most popular and signature dishes created by Head chef Sami Lyly is also called Kuusi palaa.
This is a set of mini snacks served on a wooden plate: Pike ceviche, sprinkled with Korpimaa vodka, Jerusalem artichoke panna cotta, Author’s interpretation of Waldorf salad, Organic pork croquet with apple relish, Rice croquet with porcini mushrooms and Beef tartar with smoked yolk.
It could be ordered traditionally in the number of 6 pieces (24 €), half portion — 3 pieces (12 €) and in double quantity — Tupla Kuusi (Double six) 12 pcs. (48 €).
To enrich this tasting palette, try cocktails from the legendary Marski Bar which is also located on the ground floor of the hotel. Marski mixologists represent Finnish ingredients and aromas by adding them in author’s alcoholic and non-alcoholic variations.
Light ladies’ cocktail with a fascinating name Syksyn sävel (Autumn melody) is gin-based with the addition of homemade sea buckthorn syrup, carrot juice, garnished with whipped egg whites (13.5 €).
For a stronger taste give a try on a ruby-red cocktail Mustikkametsä (Blueberry Forest) where key ingredients revealing the flavors of forest: “spruce” gin and author’s blueberry-spruce cordial (13.50 €).
Finnish people are one of the biggest sweet tooth in the world. Here comes super-popular Kuusi Palaa dessert highly recommended by Chef Sami Lyly — Finnish-style Mocha Browni (12 €) with the intense Valrhona chocolate taste, Angles cream and a pleasant crunchiness of exploding golden caramel balls.
Another cozy place is 7.01 Coffee & Wine bar that greets the guests strictly from the entrance to the hotel.
The idea of this name was inspired by the story about Marshal Mannerheim, who always demanded to serve his morning coffee exactly at 7.01 a.m., not a minute earlier or later. In 7.01 bar you will find light sandwiches, cakes or pastries, ice cream, coffee & tea as well as craft beer or a glass of good wine.
Marski by Scandic
Address: Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 10
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov
Text writer: Marina Timoshevskaya Photos: EATWEEK
