Hero: Bedroom in The Hotel Maria Spa Suite | Above: The Hotel Maria Spa
With the opening of The Hotel Maria on 15 December 2023, a new era of luxury Nordic hospitality has graced Helsinki. Proudly joining the esteemed Legend Collection of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, this urban retreat seamlessly blends modern elegance with the echoes of its rich history in the city’s sophisticated Kruununhaka district. Boasting 117 rooms, including 38 luxurious suites, two restaurants, a grand ballroom, a serene chapel, a state-of-the-art spa, and a boutique featuring jewellery from Faberge and esteemed Finnish designers, The Hotel Maria is undeniably one of the most anticipated launches of 2023 and beyond.
Set in a country renowned as the world’s happiest, The Hotel Maria invites guests to immerse themselves in the captivating essence of the region. With personalized experiences and wellness at its core, The Hotel Maria serves as an ideal hub to explore the best of the Nordics or as a base to discover the cultural and natural wonders of Helsinki. As the first hotel in the Nordics to offer a Wellness Concierge, The Hotel Maria provides tailored programs, including jet lag treatments, nutrition plans, a weekly Run Club, in-suite spa treatments, and Spa Suites with private saunas or steam rooms and spacious soaking tubs, elevating the mind-body experience.
“The Hotel Maria’s commitment to being the premier hotel experience in the Nordics and Helsinki’s first true five-star destination reflects the evolution of luxury in the Nordics,” said The Hotel Maria Founder Samppa Lajunen, a former three-time Olympic gold medalist and renowned real estate developer. “Our journey parallels that of our namesake, Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna, a renowned and beloved royal figure who sought peace of mind in Finland during challenging times and served as a great unifier beyond borders. We aspire to provide the same tranquility and sanctuary to all who grace our doors, offering our guests a taste of the pure and natural beauty of Finland, leaving them renewed and inspired.”
Above: Living Room in The Hotel Maria Suite
Classic Finnish Charm Meets American Opulence
Comprising four architecturally and historically significant buildings dating back to 1885 and protected by The Finnish Heritage Agency, The Hotel Maria elegantly balances stately, historic architecture with refined modern furnishings, redefining modern luxury in Helsinki. Designed by Head Designer Jana Sasko and Puroplan, a leading Finnish interior design firm, The Hotel Maria seamlessly integrates Finnish culture with American style and spacious standards. Original features are celebrated, with ornate wall and ceiling details adorned in fresh white and neutral tones, creating a cohesive and timeless backdrop. The design incorporates supple textures, natural woods, hand-forged metals, and a diverse collection of contemporary lighting.
The Ultimate Setting for Elevated Stays
The Hotel Maria offers various accommodation options, featuring more suites than any other Helsinki hotel and guest rooms with double the space of typical Finnish hotels, averaging over 460 square feet. Room amenities include large “American-style” beds, cutting-edge technology, and spacious spa-like marble bathrooms, most with extra-large soaking tubs, electric fireplaces, bath televisions, and 19 suites equipped with private traditional Finnish saunas or steam rooms.
Guests can select from three categories of thoughtfully designed guestrooms and a variety of suites, including Spa Suites, some spanning two floors with saunas or steam rooms. The Maria Signature Suite (753-926 sq ft) presents a chic living area ideal for entertaining, while The Penthouse Suite (947 sq ft) offers floor-to-ceiling windows, a premium kitchen, and a dining table for in-suite private dining or a private chef experience. The Maria Imperial Suite (1,722 sq ft) provides the pinnacle of luxury with a private butler, two in-suite soaking tubs, a steam room, a library, two living areas, and a grand dining room seating up to 10, perfect for entertaining.
The Maria Spa
Dedicated to holistic well-being, The Hotel Maria’s on-site spa, Maria Spa, boasts a coed Finnish sauna, a uniquely designed steam room, plunge pools, a Jacuzzi, and a greenery-filled enclosed atrium sanctuary with a Spa Bar. Signature skin and body treatments, such as the Luminizer Massage, Arctic Healing with Maria, and Nordic Vitality Facial, take place in four treatment rooms with exclusive products from the Biologique Recherche range. The Maria Spa, opening in December 2023, will expand its wellness offerings in June 2024 with The Wellness Club, featuring a design-forward fitness space with top-notch equipment and unique training programs.
Personalized Services
In addition to standard luxury hotel services like valet parking and concierge assistance, The Hotel Maria offers private butler services, dog and babysitting, personal shoppers, and an Experience Manager dedicated to curating bespoke luxury adventures throughout Finland. Its prime location allows easy exploration of Helsinki’s landmarks, while exclusive partnerships with high-end hotels and resorts in Lapland and the Lake District offer unparalleled stays with views of the Northern Lights and the stunning lake region, making Finland’s most cherished experiences easily accessible.
Above: Bathroom in The Hotel Maria Signature Suite
Sophisticated Culinary Experiences
At the forefront of the hotel’s culinary offerings is Lilja, its signature restaurant led by Head Chef Ville Rainio. Chef Ville, with an impressive culinary background from renowned Michelin-starred establishments across Europe, including the acclaimed Noma in Copenhagen, crafts a gastronomic experience inspired by the traditions of French cuisine.
Lilja’s seasonal menu highlights the best produce from Finland and nearby regions, featuring indulgent signature dishes that revolve around the changing seasons. The restaurant exclusively utilizes wild-caught fish and maintains its own buoy in Aland for cultivating seaweed, in addition to sourcing from 100% organic local producers like Rolling Cheese from Töölö, Helsinki Meijeri’s cheeses and yoghurt from Viikki, churned butter from Mouhujärvi, Finnish Dry Aged beef, and reindeer meat from the Poromoision reindeer farm in Sodankylä.
For a more intimate dining experience, Lilja offers the elegant private dining room, Valley, accommodating up to 12 guests. Alternatively, patrons can relish the complete Lilja menu in the comfort of their rooms.
Culinary delights continue at the brasserie-style Garden Terrace, a charming space adorned with lush greenery, hanging lanterns, and plush Chesterfield sofas. Here, guests can partake in afternoon tea or savor dishes from an elevated all-day dining menu inspired by classic international and Nordic cuisine. Bar Maria, a chic lounge inspired by the Arctic, specializes in Champagne (many available by the glass) and caviar. It provides a refined setting for luxurious afternoons, with snow-white chandeliers casting a soft glow over the grand piano—an enchanting backdrop for celebrating life’s finest pleasures at every moment.
A Dedication to Sustainability
Committed to minimizing environmental impact and embracing social responsibility, The Hotel Maria features energy-efficient lighting, cutting-edge indoor climate control, and renewable energy sources. Recycling programs and partnerships with local artisans contribute to a sustainable future. Transparent practices, continuous improvement, and guest engagement drive the sustainable journey at The Hotel Maria, with a Green Key Certification expected in 2024.
More Offerings Coming Soon
The final stage of The Hotel Maria’s opening in June 2024 will see the completion of the Liisankatu 8A and Maneesikatu side buildings, doubling room availability. Liisankatu houses the grand Maria Ballroom and the adjacent Lily room, an intimate dining and meeting space, while Maneesikatu will introduce The Maria Wellness Club and Wellness Studio, invigorating guests 24 hours a day.
Above: Garden Terrace at The Hotel Maria
To find out more about The Hotel Maria and book, visit the links below:
The Hotel Maria
Mariankatu 23
00170 Helsinki
Finland
Web: hotelmaria.fi
Tel: +358 9 8860 0100
Email: sales@hotelmaria.fi
Instagram: @thehotelmariahelsinki
Facebook: @TheHotelMaria