Helsinki - One of Finland’s most populated cities Helsinki is finding favour with the hip crowd and millennials.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Lilla Roberts
The latest boutique hotel to open in Helsinki, Lilla Roberts, is a charming retreat in the heart of the city.
The building has an interesting history as a power plant in 1909 before becoming a police department. Following a three-year renovation project, it is now a smart and inviting space with nods to Art Deco design.
The lobby area is popular with guests and locals, with a library style bar, oversized fireplace and grand decor. The rooms have comfortable king-size beds, plush rugs, a statement armchair and quirky prints. Ranging from the small but functional Comfort rooms to the grand Suite, there are options for varying budgets. The Krog Roba restaurant, focused on the Nordic kitchen, is also a popular hangout. Make sure you at least pay it a visit for breakfast.
Rooms start from £165 (about R3 400) per night in a Comfort on a B&B basis. Alternatively, a two night B&B stay including return flights from London Gatwick to Helsinki starts from £330 per person (0207 664 2241, best-served.co.uk).
Hotel Haven
The first member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World in Finland, Hotel Haven belongs to the same group (Kämp Collection) as Lilla Roberts. This is the more traditional option. It is worth booking the Lux Sea View rooms, which overlook the Market Square and Harbour, a key attraction in Helsinki.
Each room has a sofa or separate sitting area and Elemis bathroom products add a luxury touch.
Breakfast is served in the Sundmans'' building, the second oldest stone building in the city. Bar Haven is also a good place to unwind after dinner.
Rooms start from £170 per night in a Comfort on a B&B basis. Alternatively, a two night B&B stay including return flights from London Gatwick to Helsinki starts from £390 per person (0207 664 2241, best-served.co.uk).
WHERE TO EAT
Bronda
The fifth restaurant by Helsinki's culinary super duo Tomi Björck and Matti Wikberg is a fun, lively spot with cool decor. “We wanted to create a restaurant where customers feel at home. We also wanted it to be a place that we enjoy,” they say. Something they have achieved with striking high ceilings with large windows, which make the venue feel bright and airy. The Spanish meets Scandinavian interiors are also a great balance of trendy and tasteful. The floor-to-ceiling wine cabinet makes a statement and social eating is the main ethos.
The environment is complimented by the menu, which includes well-known classics as well as the more experimental. Finnish ingredients combined with European influences make for some delicious dishes and the tasting menus, which come with a series of complimentary wines, are a good way to sample what is on offer. However, you can''t go wrong with the Baby Back Ribs and Eggplant or the Smoked Tomato campanelle pasta. The lounge bar is open until late with a DJ on weekends and it is just the place for a pre or post-dinner drink. On the corner of the main Eteläesplanadi promenade, the location is very convenient (ravintolabronda.fi).
Pastor
Billed as a place to ''drink and dine'', this hangout mixes delicious food with a fun atmosphere.
The menu is inspired by Nikkei cuisine, which fuses Peruvian and Japanese flavours. Dishes are meant to be shared so to enjoy multiple flavours. The friendly waiter will advise on how best to pick but don''t leave without trying the Guacamole, Anticuchos (beer and lime marinated chicken skewers) and Albacora grilled swordfish fillet. The desserts are also delicious, especially the Blanco, a roasted white chocolate namelaka (a creamy ganche) with caramelized banana and toffee ice cream. The cocktails are moreish and there are 200 wines on offer selected by Pekka Koiranen - one of Finland''s most famous sommeliers. Helsinki-based interior designer Eliisa Korpijarvi is behind the look. The little details such as patterned or painted tiles and a spotted door are complemented with metallic lighting and Peruvian-inspired art prints (pastorrestaurant.fi).
Southpark
A sister restaurant to Pastor, Southpark is the go to place for brunch on a sunny day. With an outdoor terrace and beautiful outlook onto Sinebrychoff Park, the setting could not be prettier.
The Cali health kick brunch includes make-your-own super seed muesli, a seasonal produce salad bar, warm buffet, and sweet treats. Korpijarvi has also put her stamp on the venue, this time with deep blue walls, velvet seating and floor-to-ceiling windows (southparkrestaurant.fi).
Sandro
For a grittier option, head to Sandro. Restaurateur Richard McCormick runs the kitchen and is behind the overall vision for this laid-back venue in the uber hip Kallio district. The design is a mix of treasures from the Middle East and budget finds from Helsinki. The brunch is the favourite of many Helsinkians and vegan/vegetarian customers have a wide range of plant based options (sandro.fi).
Café Aalto
A hidden architectural gem, located inside the Academic bookstore designed by Finland''s architecture icon Alvar Aalto. The interiors are also his vision. Pop in for a coffee and soak up the surroundings (cafeaalto.fi).
A21 Decades
Scooping awards for the world's best bar, this is a celebration of Finnish cocktails and drinking culture. Owner Tino is regularly behind the bar or mingling with his guests. He is passionate about what he does and has a penchant for reviving oldies from different decades for the “best of collection”. The house signature cocktails use Nordic ingredients and are even served in Finnishinspired crockery. The menu has been carefully curated and presented. Plus, the vibrant atmosphere is a testament to a great team who really know their stuff when it comes to picking an interesting tipple (a21.fi).
WHERE TO VISIT
Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress
Built during the Swedish era as a maritime fortress and a base for the Archipelago Fleet, it is only a 20-minute ferry journey from Helsinki Harbour. Suomenlinna fortress has served in the defence of three realms - Sweden, Russia and Finland - and in 1991 it was added to the Unesco World Heritage List as a unique monument of military architecture. It is a breathtaking spot.
Alvar Aalto's home
There are several buildings designed by the mastermind of functionalism. However, the most intimate are his home and studio , which are open to public.
Temppeliaukio Church
Quarried out of the natural bedrock, this is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions. You''ve got to see it to believe it.
Kamppi Chapel of Silence
A fine example of Finnish wooden architecture.
The Old Market Hall
Since 1889, merchants have gathered to sell cheese, fish, shellfish, vegetable, fruit and cakes. A good place for a quick lunch too.
For more tips and packages visit specialist Scandinavian tour operator Best Served Scandinavia (0207 664 2241, best-served.co.uk)
The Independent