For our wedding anniversary we chose to stay in Lapland hotels bulevardi and what amazing stay we had. Lobby area charmed us right away with its touch of Lapland here and there but it really didn’t end there. Everywhere you looked from lobby to corridors you could see Lappish decorations like reindeer horns, skin, clay paintings, wooden sculptures and all kind of different ceramic art. I've always loved hotels with character and this hotel really had character with big C.

Still there was some hassle at the beginning as we had been promised a room on the eight floor with city view but we were about getting a room on third floor. I mentioned about our exchange of emails from before and receptionist was nice enough to change our room right away. Still things didn't go as well as we would have hoped for as we found out that entertainment system didn't work in the room and we couldn't hear much promised yoik from the speakers and that normal tv app from where you can see all the info about hotel etc. didn't work at all. We also didn't get street view but inner yard one. Once again I mentioned about it and we got yet another room and this time it was perfect.

Room - Artic deluxe spa – 817

Artic deluxe spa room #817 was like coming to Lappish wonderland. When we stepped in to our room we were welcomed by yoik and we got street view to bulevardi which is one of the most beautiful streets in Helsinki. Lots of historical buildings both sides of the street. Room was beautiful as hotel itself. Lots of Lappish decor all around the room. Reindeer horns above the bed, clay paintings on the wall, little touches here and there like wool blanket, Lappish toiletries etc. which all made us feel like we are somewhere in Lapland, not in the capital city of Finland.

How can I continue without mentioning the biggest reason why we even chose this room? Did i not mention at the beginning of the review how room was called artic deluxe spa. In this case it meant huge bathroom with beautiful bathtub, rain shower and sauna. It felt like you had your own little spa in your room. All the toiletries had been made specifically for the hotel to mimic Lappish experience.

Couple and only downsides if i need to be nitpicky were that big tv did not have chromecast and wife also mentioned that they had very limited selection of personal care products. No shower cap, cotton pads or q-tips which we have usually got in some other hotels. My wife thought it was worth of mention but I personally wouldn't have noticed lack of them at all. In some cases I wouldn't have even mentioned these as otherwise this was near perfect experience and we loved our room so much.

Room had capsule coffee maker but we had no time or need of using it. Minibar had small selection of drinks and snacks. Funny little curiosity was that there was some other Lappish products on the self that you could have bought like socks, reindeer key chain etc. By the way from hotel shop you can buy even reindeer skin or horns if you want to. Of course prices are nothing to sneeze at but well going Lapland will cost you much more.

I also had ordered some snacks and sweets in to our room as it was our anniversary but my surprise got bit ruined because we changed our room so our snacks had to be delivered from old room to our new one. Still huge applause for staff how they did their all to right their wrongs and make things work for us. I can't do anything but praise how they solved all the issues we had. Excellent customer service.

Gym

Ok gym was small and about same level as in hotel Haven which was disappointing but even at gym there was funny little details like dumbbells made from wood and stone.

Breakfast

Lapland theme continued even at the breakfast as tables were full of traditional Lappish delicacies like reindeer meats, sausages, breads, jams and berry shots which you won’t find in any other hotel’s breakfast menu. It was truly a treat. You could also ask chef to make you omelet from reindeer meat without any extra costs.

We loved it and in my honest opinion it was the best hotel breakfast I've had here in Helsinki. Not only food was excellent but service was top notch too. When we sat on our table we were asked would we like to have coffee or tea. Later waitress came to chat with us and told us about process of making traditional Lappish bread and how reindeer sausages had won even some competition. You rarely find such great service in Finland.

Conclusion

This was the best hotel experience we had by far beating even the great Kamp. Of course every hotel has its own ups and downs but this hotel charmed us by its personality, breakfast and excellent service. Hotel doesn’t have spa but you really don't need one if you book yourself deluxe spa room or better. It's not right in the city center but still not too far either, about 10 mins away by foot. You can also take the tram which takes you in front of the hotel.

All and all this was almost perfect experience. Yes gym was tiny and there wasn't lot of equipments and tv had no chromecast but the avalanche of positives buries easily away all the little nitpicks I have. You need to experience this hotel to believe it. We are definitely coming back here again after we have finished our mission to stay in all of Helsinki's 4-5 star hotels.

Very good breakfast with lappish tastes, I loved the porridge and omelette with reindeer and mushrooms. Bread and delicacies from a tiny high quality bakery. Warm service with personal touch. Unique rooms with own saunas