Hotel Kämp

Helsinki’s finest hotel opened in 1887, and was the sort of place where well-heeled Finns like Sibelius could be spotted mixing with Europe’s aristocracy. A thorough reconstruction and new management by the Starwood group find the Hotel Kämp in fighting form, restored to its Belle Epoque glory and again host to anyone who’s anyone in Helsinki.

Like any grand hotel worth its salt, the Kämp’s location is unbeatable, at the heart of the city, opposite Esplanade Park, close by the best shops, restaurants and sights in this compact capital. The city museum, the presidential palace, and the central rail station are all within a handful of blocks, and the harbour is a short walk away.

It’s the hotel itself that’s the main attraction, though; the lobby is all polished stone and hardwoods, antique furnishings and century-old glamour, and a sweeping stone staircase leads up to a magnificent ballroom. Rooms are decadent and old-fashioned, with 19th-century reproduction furniture and heated marble bathrooms, alongside all the indispensable modern amenities, like internet access and satellite television. The largest suites have their own saunas, something of a Scandinavian institution, though less fortunate guests will find the spa’s facilities more than adequate.

Scandinavian dining can intimidate the uninitiated, but the Kämp’s restaurant and brasserie are international in scope, making for an easy introduction to traditional Finnish cuisine—you can always venture out into the capital’s streets for more authentically local fare like fried herring and smoked reindeer.