The delightful eco-friendly Hotel Indigo Helsinki –
Boulevard, decked out in laid-back Scandi cool with a splash of colour, makes a
stay in Helsinki special.
Surrounded by boutiques, galleries and restaurants, it has a
superb location on Bulevardi, one of the smartest streets in Finland’s
capital’s Design District and is in walking distance of most of the main
sights.
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| Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard, the lobby |
Opened in 2015, the 120-room
hotel reflects the
neighbourhood that it occupies so you would expect the décor to be stylish
and contemporary with a cosy boutique feel and it is. Walk into the lobby, book
shelves and plenty of interesting pictures give you that feeling of home from
home.
The staff seems to echo the image of the hotel being warm,
friendly and efficient. Although the Hotel Indigo Helsinki –
Boulevard is part of a chain of boutique hotels owned by InterContinental Hotels
Group you would never know it as it has its own unique character and charm.
My room was spacious and the bed really comfy. The
minimalistic furniture was jazzed up with a decorative mural on the wall by a
local artist. I had a shoe theme which added a novel twist. On display were a
pair of shoes from the renowned designer, Minna Parikka. The lavish and elegant
fabrics worked well against the grey canvas and gave the room a luxurious
feel.
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| My room was spacious and the bed really comfy |
There is also complimentary wi-fi, something we have now
come to expect as standard,
as well as a Nespresso Coffee machine, another must in luxury
hotels, and free bottled water which was a welcome gesture as it was summer. The bathroom had a walk-in
rain shower and plenty of Aveda products for pampering. So, no complaints
there.
For fitness fanatics, there are Pelago bicycles for guests
to cycle round the capital.
The hotel also has a small Body, Soul & Mind studio with gym, yoga room
and, being a Finnish hotel, a sauna and steam bath, which is much appreciated
after a day’s sightseeing. If you need business facilities, the hotel is
equipped.
A highlight is the buffet-style breakfast in the pleasant
Restaurant Bröd. There is plenty of choice to satisfy the eclectic palates of
the guests including fresh fruits, cereals, salad, cheeses, hot dishes,
scrumptious breads and, of course, Baltic herring. I only wish I could have this
every morning.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
British Airways flies to Helsinki. Fares start from £45 each
way. For more information visit britishairways.com
NB On this Euro Traveller flight BA offers a snack such as a packet of
crisps and a bar service
I stayed at the Helsinki – Boulevard which I can highly
recommend. Book your stay through IHG Rewards Club to benefit from IHG’s
Lowest Price Promise initiative – a guarantee that guests will get the lowest
rates when they book directly with IHG. For further information or bookings,
visit hotelIndigo.com
