RUNO Hotel Porvoo, Finland

Porvoo is one of the oldest cities in Finland, full of history that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. For as long as I can remember, it has been one of my favorite places to visit in my home country. The old town may be small, but it reminds me of a fairy tale, with its cobblestone streets, colorful wooden houses, charming cafés and restaurants, and artsy souvenir shops. It is renowned for locally produced chocolate and ice cream, two of my absolute favorites! Porvoo is less than an hour's drive from the capital, making it an ideal day trip if you happen to be in Helsinki.

I wanted to extend the day trip and spend a night in the old town. Porvoo is beautiful year-round, but I was visiting on my Autumn break in October, which can often be rainy and dark in Finland. So, I chose RUNO Hotel, knowing it would provide the warmth and comfort I needed. This hotel has been on my radar for a while since RUNO Hotel is one of the two hotels in Finland that are currently members of the prestigious international group of Design Hotels. Also, the hotel is located in the very center of the city, which makes visiting the old town attractions easy on foot.

RUNO Hotel Porvoo

The hotel is located in a lovingly restored Art Nouveau building called 'Valimontalo' from the early 20th century. The hotel's interior design is the work of Joanna Laajisto. It has contemporary Scandinavian elegance, simplicity, and natural materials but it respectfully preserves the old character. The aim was to create a luxury experience that elevates everyday life. Each detail is thus carefully planned – like a poem. (The hotel is called 'a poem' in the Finnish language.) Surrounded by such beautiful aesthetics, I immediately felt comfortable and calm. Clearly, the hotel places a strong emphasis on enhancing the guest experience through thoughtful design.

The hotel also serves as a platform to promote Finnish artistic talent: upon entering the hotel, you can appreciate the display of Finnish art in the lounge, which also has the bar and many inviting seating areas. There is an interesting selection of books and magazines for the clients to enjoy while listening to the stylish jazz music in the background. The check-in for us was very polite and even smoother than normal since I had filled out our details online beforehand. 

My Large Room

The hotel has 56 rooms, each with a serene atmosphere and a modern country-style design. The harmonious color palette continues throughout the hotel. Their smallest room is only 14-15 m² with a queen-size bed, so I was delighted to receive an upgrade to a larger room with 19-22 square meters, courtesy of Booking.com. The room was everything I had wished for and one of the most beautiful I have ever experienced. I wish that I could have similar wall paneling at home someday. It was flawless! I was also pleased with the quality finishes in the bathroom.

The Amenities at RUNO Hotel Porvoo

Runo Kitchen offers a vast brunch on Sundays and a beautiful country-style breakfast on other days celebrating local and homemade products. Clients may order different types of omelets aside from the buffet. Unfortunately, they don't offer dinner except through the room service. But this didn't bother us much since Porvoo offers an abundance of charming restaurants to choose from. 

Guests are also welcome to use the beautiful sauna and spa section in the attic. I thought that this was the best part of this hotel! They had the most relaxing music in the sauna and another room for cooling down. They provided lemon water, bathrobes, and towels for the clients. Nothing feels better than the warmth of the sauna and some refreshments on a cold autumn evening.

In Conclusion

The hotel proudly reflects Finnish culture and the city's historical significance, and I felt fortunate to have experienced it. Porvoo and the surrounding natural beauty offer many activities for tourists, and this hotel serves as an excellent home base for exploration and relaxation. City bikes are available for rent right in front of the hotel. I felt that a hotel stay like this was an experience on its own and didn't require any other activities, except dinner in the old town. I was sad that my stay this time was brief. I definitely would like to return here many more times and enjoy the beautiful ambiance of RUNO Hotel again!