Scandic Grand Central, Helsinki, Finland

Some places win you over from the start. I was among the first to visit Scandic Grand Central when it opened in 2021, and like many others, I was in awe of the elegance it had. I loved the classic architecture, timeless design, and color palette of the different rooms and common areas. In addition, the hotel made me feel so comfortable that I wished I could live there permanently. As that is not possible, all I can do is visit regularly.

Scandic Grand Central 

Scandic Grand Central is located in the very center of Helsinki, right at the railway station, so it is within walking distance from all the main sights in the city. The building was designed by a renowned Finnish architect, Eliel Saarinen, for the VR railway company in 1909 and it's one of the most significant Art Nouveau buildings in Helsinki. Helsinki is a great place to visit for all architecture lovers, as it boasts over 600 Art Nouveau buildings. 

When renovating this protected building the team worked together with the Finnish Heritage Agency to maintain and respect the original features. These included, for example, the façade, staircases, and the corridors of the rooms. The beautiful interior design is the work of Jaakko Puro and his team from Puroplan. They also incorporated furniture and light fixtures designed by Eliel Saarinen into the plans. The end result is a stunning modern interior that evokes the past.

My Superior Room

There are 491 rooms in the hotel, making it one of the largest hotels in Finland.  Among these, 373 rooms are situated in the original building, while an additional 118 rooms can be found in the newer addition. Surprisingly, despite its size, the hotel doesn't feel like a massive complex. Especially in the original part, it maintains a charming boutique atmosphere, where each room differs from the others. I strongly recommend booking a room in the older part of the building to better experience its history. 

On this visit, I booked a Superior room from the fourth floor, although I have always loved their Classic Double rooms as well. The room I stayed in featured hardwood flooring, a generously sized bathroom, and an arched window. Thanks to the thick walls and soothing green color scheme, it had a peaceful ambiance, ensuring a restful night's sleep.

The Amenities of Scandic Grand Central

As in the hotel, classic meets modern in the menu of the restaurant, Brasserie Grand. They serve French-inspired flavors with surprising twists and a touch of luxury. The interior is elegantly styled. In the summertime, you can enjoy your meals on the patio in the courtyard. I thought that the choices for the mains were quite limited, but their salmon with champagne beurre blanc was absolutely delicious! I topped the culinary experience with their chocolate crème brûlée. I can wholeheartedly recommend Brasserie Grand when visiting Helsinki! The restaurant is joined by Bar G, which is a great meeting place to enjoy a stylish cocktail or a cup of tea with friends.

The breakfast was a little busy and crowded, which is understandable in a hotel this size, especially during the weekend. However, they had enough personnel to manage it, and everything was well-organized. They did not have an à la carte menu or table service for breakfast, but the buffet featured a great selection of sweet and savory dishes. I have always loved their cinnamon rolls and baked apple oatmeal with vanilla sauce. Those treats should not be missed when visiting Finland!

The hotel also featured a gym and sauna. These facilities were located below ground level, but small windows provided enough natural light in the spaces. The gym included a yoga room and another room with a good selection of modern equipment. The sauna had a nice changing room for relaxing and unwinding. They provided water, free toiletries, towels, and lockers for customers to use. I really enjoyed the exercise and sauna, and I thought these were wonderful additions to the customer experience.

In Conclusion

The team of builders and designers did an exceptional job renovating this building, and I feel privileged to be a guest here today. This place never fails to inspire me, especially the windows in this hotel make me excited about architecture. However, two years after its opening, I have some minor concerns about the cleanliness of the corridors. I hope that in the future, they will be able to maintain a high standard of maintenance to preserve the grandeur of the various spaces. While hotels in Finland don't have official ratings, Scandic Grand Central has consistently provided five-star worthy customer service. I eagerly anticipate my next visit to this hotel!