Hotel Kakola, Turku, Finland

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The Kakola prison was originally built on a hill in the center of Turku following an order from Emperor Nicholas I, who mandated the construction of labor and correctional facilities in Finland. The institution was completed in 1853 and initially housed Russian soldiers who had arrived during the Crimean War. The soldiers left in 1859, after which Kakola was converted into a penal prison. Over time, additional buildings were constructed in the area, and at its peak, the infamous Kakola Prison housed up to 1,320 inmates.

In 1911, a massive Art Nouveau-style granite castle was completed on Kakolanmäki, becoming the most notorious building in Kakola. It was designated for all offenders who had reoffended six times. Over the years, prisoners engaged in various types of labor, including yard work, carpentry, metalwork, gardening, and granite quarrying. The Kakolanmäki prison area fell silent in September 2007 when the new Saramäki prison was opened and all activities were relocated there.


Hotel Kakola

The massive listed buildings in the heart of the city got a new life with a hotel, a spa, restaurants, cafés, event spaces, a bakery, residential apartments, a souvenir shop, and a church. They even have their own brewery! By the time the hotel opened in 2020, it was clear to everyone that an area with a dark history could begin to flourish. Thanks to the vision and dedication of Olli and Leena Ojala, these once-closed buildings have been successfully transformed into a vibrant and evolving district. It felt like a small village inside the city of Turku!

The reception in the hotel was kind and thoughtful. They were eager to assist with storing our luggage and directions to the spa. We wanted to visit the spa first as we arrived a little early and our room was not yet ready. The spa is located a few hundred meters from the main building where the 150 rooms are located. After the spa, we got the room with the balcony as requested. 





The red-brick Hotel Kakola is steeped in history, with traces of the past visible throughout. Some rooms have been preserved in their original form as cells, complete with bunk beds. The historic atmosphere is also evident in the architecture of the corridors and stairs, as well as in the decorative details in different spaces of the building.

My Standard Room

My room wasn’t one of the cell-like ones but had been created by combining two cells. It featured two large windows and a balcony that overlooked the inner courtyard and the city beyond. The room’s styling felt quite minimalist — perhaps a few more decorative pillows or a bedspread would have added a cozier touch. Nevertheless, the room was spotlessly clean and offered all the comforts we needed. There were tea and coffee-making facilities, and the bathroom toiletries had a lovely scent. The granite surfaces in the bathroom added an extra touch of luxury.




Each floor is decorated in a different color, which was a lovely touch. We stayed on the third floor, which was adorned in pink and burgundy. The original use of the space was still evident here. The third floor also featured a church that was open to all visitors.



The Amenities at Hotel Kakola

The adults-only spa offers a truly relaxing experience. With an entrance fee, you can enjoy four different pools and five unique saunas for up to three hours. Each sauna provides a unique experience, featuring different scents, showers, or historic details. Additionally, a selection of relaxing face and body treatments is available for an extra fee. The restaurant Kakolanruusu, located in the same building, serves food and drinks at the spa. We loved the opportunity to enjoy refreshing drinks while relaxing in the pool, but traditional tables and chairs are also available for a more conventional dining experience.



The hotel is also home to the wine tavern Hilarius, the restaurant Ruben, and a summer terrace called Riviera. We decided to dine at Ruben, which also served the breakfast buffet. The à la carte menu was intriguing, showcasing local produce. The service was professional and seamless. I opted for the fish of the day and crème brûlée, both of which were excellently prepared.

The breakfast offered a nice variety with a wide selection of both savory and sweet dishes. We particularly enjoyed the berry smoothies and fresh yogurt! There was also homemade porridge and a great selection of desserts. Gluten-free and vegan options were nicely presented. The only thing I missed was Karelian pies, which are a common breakfast item in Finnish hotels. Here, they were only available in a gluten-free version.




In Conclusion

I found this hotel to be a truly memorable place to stay, thanks to the area's rich history and striking architecture. It felt like a privilege to experience it as a hotel guest today, knowing that, in the past, some visitors had far less to look forward to. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring everything the area had to offer, even taking the funicular down to the riverside. The only place we didn’t get to visit was their bakery, as there was a constant line outside. That alone speaks volumes about the quality of their products!





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