Scandic Paasi

On the whole, the Nordic capitals are rather less a hotbed of clean-lined modernist design than you might imagine — here Art Nouveau is the visual language of luxury, and coziness, not coolness, is the prevailing hospitality trend. But in Scandic Paasi, the Finnish capital of Helsinki has a hotel that’s unapologetically modern in style, a riot of color hidden away behind a relatively nondescript facade, tucked in between historic buildings in the Siltasaari district, near Hakaniemi Market Square.

The lobby is a full-spectrum color experience, and while the guest rooms focus on one or two colors at a time, they’re scarcely less vibrant, with bold patterns and hyper-saturated fabrics. There’s a touch of throwback elegance to the architecture, but the furnishings — and the overall design sensibility — are decidedly modern. Some come with kitchenettes, and some, in true only-in-Finland style, come with private saunas.

And while the restaurant is breakfast-only, the bar is open throughout the day and well into the night, and the hotel’s immediate surroundings are plentifully supplied with places to eat and drink. All told, it’s one of a handful of unusually memorable hotels in the huge Scandic collection, and a welcome addition to the Helsinki scene.