Annabella Pardo
Photo via @nordichotels
With a commitment to sustainable travel, Nordic Hotels & Resorts has breathed new life into iconic buildings that were once a mainstay of their local communities, repurposing these storied architectural landmarks into modern-day historic hotels for locals and visitors alike to experience the rich Scandinavian and Nordic culture. Guests are invited to combine a bit of old and new as they indulge in modern amenities and explore the old-world charm that permeates these top luxury hotels with historic pasts in three of the most alluring destinations in Northern Europe.
OSLO, NORWAY
Even though it is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Nordics, Oslo is the oldest of the Scandinavian capitals, where nods to explorers, a rich maritime history and legendary design abound.
· Sommerro: Bringing Community to Light
Norway’s largest-ever preservation project and most ambitious hotel project to date, Sommerro is an urban luxury retreat set within a landmark 1930s building which was once the headquarters of the city's electrical company, Oslo Lysverker. Opened in September 2022, the hotel pays homage to a fusion of neoclassical contemporary aesthetics with original historic elements that have been meticulously refurbished. Downstairs, one of Norway’s last remaining public baths from 1932 has been restored to its former glory and reimagined as a 15,000-square-foot subterranean urban wellness retreat, Vestkantbadet. Serving as the largest city resort wellness space across the Nordic countries, the space features an original restored Roman bath, gym, and infrared sauna, and is adorned with a historic mosaic wall by renowned local artist Per Krohg whose works are featured throughout the hotel. Next door, the hotel’s Villa Inkognito, a private villa with 11 exclusive rooms and suites that will open in April 2023, once served as the office space for Oslo Lysverker before housing the Algerian embassy from 1980. Now part of Sommerro, this iconic building has come full circle with a new lease on life as a private villa available to book in its entirety. (Rates at Sommerro start at USD$250. Single room rates at Villa Inkognito start from $615/night).
· Amerikalinjen: A Contemporary Take on Oslo’s Seafaring History
Designed for the modern explorer, Amerikalinjen gets inspiration from its origins as the headquarters for The Norwegian America Line that transported locals across the Atlantic to the New World. First opening its doors in 1919, the grand Neo-Baroque architectural landmark was transformed into a vibrant modern boutique hotel 100 years later, retaining its dreamy spirit of discovery and adventure. Historic undertones permeate every space of this modern-day marvel neighboring the iconic Oslo Opera House and the bustling Oslo Central Station, exuding an ambiance that combines hospitality and history with a love of design and adventure. The luxury retreat, layered with equal doses of subtle nostalgic references and forward-thinking design, offers 122 elegantly-designed rooms and suites which served as The Norwegian America Line’s former boardrooms, upscale amenities, and a prime location for guests to launch new adventures. Gustav, a chic jazz club inspired by New York’s jazz scene and known for its stellar parties and cozy in-the-know gigs, is named after The Norwegian America Line’s founder, Gustav Severin Henriksen, as an ode to the man who started a 60-year adventure for emigrants and Norway. (Rates start at USD$201).
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
Once a Viking fishing settlement, Denmark’s capital city charms visitors with traces of Nordic explorers interwoven with an exceptional cosmopolitan offering of food, architecture and art.
· Villa Copenhagen: A Grande Dame With Modern Touches
Housed in the century-old Danish Post and Telegraph office, adjacent to Tivoli Gardens, the 390-room Villa Copenhagen is a Grande Dame hotel for the 21st century, offering approachable, conscious luxury through a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and meaningful experiences that connect guests to the landscape, culture and energy of the city. The grandeur of the 1912 Neo-Baroque architecture is entwined throughout the building with rooms featuring high ceilings, herringbone floors, restored original windows, gold accents and muted color palettes that pay homage to paintings by 19th century Danish master Vilhelm Hammershøi. The past meets the future in the hotel’s nine luxury suites, including The Shamballa Master Suite, where modern touches ensure the historic space remains at the forefront of Scandinavian design for centuries to come. Vibrant social spaces include the Old Boardroom, a private event space that remains almost entirely in its original form with antique chandeliers, restored wooden paneling and imitation wall tapestries, and the Rug Bakery breakfast spot located on the ground floor of the Post House’s former sorting room. (Rates start at USD$163).
HELSINKI, FINLAND
Founded by Swedish invaders in 1550, Helsinki is young by European standards. This small capital city is big on history with a luxe touch, offering access to historic UNESCO sites right outside the doorstep of some of the most prestigious hotels in the world.
· Klaus K Hotel: Finnish Heritage Meets Scandinavian Style and Design
Located in Helsinki’s vibrant city center and exuding a unique blend of Finnish heritage and contemporary comfort, Klaus K Hotel takes its name (and design cues) from the country’s national epic poem and saga The Kalevala, written by Elias Lönnrot in 1835. Starting with Finland’s mythological creation story, where the world emerged from seven eggs, the egg shape is repeated throughout the Green Key certified hotel and is most prominently featured in the gleaming white check-in desk with a halo of antler-like artwork crowning it from above and a Sky Suite with an egg-shaped bed. The hotel’s premises are more than hundred years old and a combination of two architecturally important buildings; the one on the Erottaja side is architect’s Frans Sjöström’s signature work, built in 1882. The building on the Bulevardi was built in 1912 and designed by Lars Sonck, one of the most important architects of the national-romantic movement. The striking 171-room 19th century Art Nouveau hotel is the first Design Hotel in Finland, with local folklore woven into every aspect of the design, from the stylish Klaus K Bar & Lounge and rooftop Sky Terrace, to the Italian warmth of Restaurant Toscanini, creating a story that gives life to the fashionable furnishings and amenities. (Rates start at USD$67).
· Hotel Lilla Roberts: A Glamorous Art-Deco Inspired Hideaway
Inspired by the Art Deco design and décor of the 1930s, Hotel Lilla Roberts seamlessly combines contemporary amenities with a throwback elegance that embraces the trendy lifestyle of the surrounding Kaartinkaupunki design district. Originally built in 1909 as a power plant then repurposed as the city’s police department in 1974, the building was reinvented in 2015 as a stylish 130-room Green Key hotel. Spacious rooms are offered in five categories to suit guests’ needs: Comfort, Style, Lux, Junior Suite and Suite. The fashion-forward retreat is a space to be inspired and offers guests exclusive benefits on designer fashion through partnerships with a revolving list of designers each month. (Rates start at USD$152).
· Hotel Haven: A Modern Mixture of History and Refinery in the Heart of Old Helsinki
Hotel Haven is a home for modern romance in a historic location, conveniently situated in the attractive setting of Helsinki’s Market Square. The harbor area was pivotal in the city’s creation and growth and is still famous for offering the best views and vibes of Helsinki for both locals and visitors. The Old Market Hall, Presidential Palace, Helsinki Cathedral, and many charming historic buildings create an enchanting area around the harbor. Located in the second-oldest stone building in the city which still hosts five original living spaces protected by the Finnish government, giving guests a taste of what life was like in a merchant’s house more than 200 years ago, the seaside retreat offers curated comforts found throughout 137 rooms and suites spread across six categories. Restaurant Haven is set in the beautiful Sundmans' building, home to ship captain and merchant Gustaf Wilhelm Sundman from 1817 to 1820. Sundman was part of the city’s elite and instrumental in developing the Port of Helsinki. The house was designed by the creator of the historical center of Helsinki, noted architect Carl Ludvig Engel. (Rates start at USD$154).