Porvoo, Finland

Runo Hotel Porvoo

The Nordics • Stay • Runo Hotel Porvoo in Porvoo, Finland

What’s the hotel in a nutshell?

To create a hotel experience that offers the same ease as visiting a close friend – one with very good taste, undeniably – is the idea behind Runo Hotel Porvoo in the city of Porvoo. Enlisting award-winning Helsinki interior designer Joanna Laajisto was a stroke of genius, who managed to bring the pastel yellow 1913 Jugend style building, previously a bank, back to its former glory. The hotel oozes elegance and comfort while also managing to feel warm, relaxed and human-centred.

What are the rooms like?

The 56 rooms of the hotel have been meticulously designed and feel as lavish and thought-out as the public areas. With an ethos that comfort and aesthetics can increase well-being, Laajisto has chosen to work with a timeless palette of neutral hues and natural materials: the half panelled walls and wide floor planks have been paired with comfortable sofas and chairs by Danish brand Carl Hansen & Søn, lighting by Örsjö Belysning and New Works and linen throws by Roots Living. Some of the larger rooms even feature a restored tiled fireplace.

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What else?

The ground floor, once a labyrinthine tangle of small rooms, has been opened up to form one big space that encompasses a lobby, a restaurant and a lounge. This is where guests and locals gather and hang out, just like in a living room that happens to be in a much larger size. At the far end of the space, behind floor-length drapes, is an informal dining area. Runo Hotel Porvoo displays the paintings and sculptures of young Finnish artists such as Riku Riippa, Iisa Maaranenand Inka Bell throughout the building.

What’s the region like?

Uusimaa, the southernmost region of Finland, encompasses a diverse landscape of bustling cities, charming coastal towns and verdant countryside. Home to the nation’s capital, Helsinki, Uusimaa offers a dynamic fusion of historic landmarks such as the iconic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and contemporary architectural marvels like the Helsinki Central Library Oodi. Beyond the capital, visitors can explore the idyllic charms of Porvoo, Finland’s second-oldest town, with its cobblestone streets and iconic red warehouses. The region’s archipelago, consisting of over 1,000 islands, provides a unique opportunity for island hopping, sailing and outdoor activities.

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