THE HOTEL MARIA, just under a year old, opened its doors in the heart of historic Helsinki in the prestigious Kruununhaka district, heralding a new era in luxury Scandinavian hospitality, showcasing a level of sophistication and excellence combined with sleek contemporary design and classic elements.
THE HOTEL MARIA is presented by Samla Capital under the leadership of Samppa Lajunen, widely recognized as a businessman and three-time Olympic gold medalist who represented Finland for many years in Nordic skiing.
Driven by his commitment to achieving excellence, Samppa Lajunen has set new standards and created one of the finest luxury hotels in Northern Europe.
The hotel’s name was inspired not only by its location on Mariankatu Street in four architecturally and historically significant buildings, but also with a prominent female figure in Scandinavian history — Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, a royal figure of Scandinavian origin, born Princess Dagmar of Denmark, who influenced the hotel’s impeccable service standards and distinctive design.
Grand Duchess Maria was known among royalty for her grace, captivating beauty and intelligence. She was a true cosmopolitan of her time and had great connections throughout Europe. In the most difficult times to escape the pressures of royal life, she often retreated to Finland to enjoy its pure and natural beauty and to soothe her soul.
The central location of the hotel gives guests the opportunity to stroll through the historic streets of Kruununhaka, explore the city’s landmarks such as the famous Helsinki Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Senate Square and Market Square, and enjoy the soft sea breeze from the Gulf of Finland.
Entering through the grand old doors, one enters the hotel lobby with gorgeous crystal chandeliers, artwork, and beautiful floral arrangements.
A very prominent element is the lily of the valley, which is present throughout the hotel. This delicate flower is of great importance to the people of Finland as it is the national flower and symbolizes purity, sincerity and happiness and represents the delightful experience that the hotel staff tries to give to the guests.
The hotel has several unique and elegant venues for special occasions, meetings and family events. For wedding ceremonies, the Maria’s Chapel can be an option, as well as the impressive Maria Ballroom, reminiscent of modern Versailles, with its art deco chandeliers, mirrored walls and ceilings, and original columns, linking this beautiful place to its historic past.
THE HOTEL MARIA offers 117 rooms and 38 suites, each with its own unique decoration. Rest and relaxation are the foundation for a vacation, so every detail in the rooms is carefully considered to make guests feel rested and refreshed in a well-appointed and elegantly designed space.
Staying in one of the hotel’s best suites, we experienced this first hand, receiving a comfortable stay and attentive staff.
Guests of the superior rooms are greeted with a lovely complement of champagne, fruit and sweets.
The rooms have all amenities for a good rest: air conditioning, Wi-Fi, coffee and tea facilities, mini-bar, TV, lighting & sound panel, comfortable furniture.
Some of the rooms boast their own sauna and jacuzzi bathtubs.
All suites have a luxurious bathroom with tropical shower and bathtub, all necessary bath accessories and premium perfumes from Bvlgari brand.
In the mornings, guests can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in the exquisite Lilja restaurant with a wide range of cold and hot meals, fruits and vegetables, fresh pastries, beverages.
An à la carte menu also offers a variety of egg dishes, as well as extra options such as Caviar, Champagne, Eggs Royal.
In the evening, the restaurant offers the best of French cuisine with a focus on Finland. The very best of Scandinavian hospitality awaits you here from a team with an in-depth knowledge of haute cuisine and exceptional wine.
A great pride of the hotel is The Maria Spa, where you are undoubtedly immersed in an authentic and luxurious Scandinavian wellness experience.
Here you will find a luxurious pool, hot jacuzzi tub, Finnish sauna and hammam, as well as custom massages and all kinds of treatments aimed at rejuvenating and revitalizing the body and the face. Treatments are also available to guests in their rooms.
On the second floor of the hotel is the state-of-the-art Wellness Club, showcasing a new level of luxury fitness in Scandinavia — a space with best-in-class equipment and training programs to enhance your vitality and unlock your potential. Guests will also be offered one-on-one sessions with highly qualified trainers who will tailor the most suitable program for each individual.
The Hotel Maria
Address: Mariankatu 23, 00170 Helsinki Finland
Instagram: @thehotelmariahelsinki
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
