Airports can be stressful, especially when returning from a holiday. I’m just not a fan of return flights, with all the rushing around and post-holiday blues. That was until I found the ultimate airport hotel for design lovers. Trust me — you’ll want to miss your flight for this Helsinki airport hotel!
A good friend recommended the Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport to me. Out of pure convenience (it has direct tunnel access to the airport terminal), I decided to give it a try. I was expecting pretty interiors, but the cosiness, overall tranquillity and ambience that hit me as soon as I stepped inside blew me away. I knew I had made the right choice within the first two seconds of entering the building.
THE LOUNGE
Let’s start with the lounge, as that was the first thing that made me go ‘wow’. Spacious and inviting are the words that spring to mind. With a real Scandi vibe and an Asian flair, the decor will please even the most demanding of guests. Clarion Helsinki Airport, which is part of the Strawberry Hotels chain, combines convenience, comfort and luxury in a whole new way. The brand’s focus has always been on creating a homely hotel setting that will make you feel at home when you’re away. Well, mission accomplished! The lounge is surprisingly quiet and relaxing, with soothing background music. You can read a book about Nordic life or design, or simply enjoy the pretty interiors. I briefly met up with a friend here, and it felt like we had our own private space. There’s plenty of room for children to run around, too, although the hotel clearly caters more to adults.
The combination of different textures with the minimalist decor is so typical of Scandinavian interior design. Contrasting materials such as velvet and stone work beautifully together, adding interest and depth to the space. The deep colours of burgundy, brown and green make the space cosy and inviting. The space also feels very practical, with plug sockets fitted around the large coffee tables, so you can charge your devices. Naturally, the Scandi interior scheme is finished off with lots of wood and large windows.
BREAKFAST AREA
The breakfast area will certainly help you start the day off on the right foot. The breakfast buffet was included in our package and was well worth it. It was extensive and varied, and the breakfast room never felt too busy. The decor is stylish and inviting, giving me Japandi vibes throughout. The trees in the middle reminded me of one of my favourite London restaurants, which is a really effective way to bring nature and interest to a commercial setting. Despite its size, the hotel feels like a boutique hotel at times, thanks to the cosiness.
ROOFTOP BAR & RESTAURANT
Of course, we had to try the Brasserie NÒR, which overlooks the runways. I’m usually unimpressed by airport restaurant food, but just like the breakfast, Clarion did not let me down. It was hands down the best airport dining experience I’ve had. I had a delicious local fish dish that was cooked to perfection, and the kids’ burgers were proper gourmet burgers. They have some pretty decent wines on the wine list, which makes you feel like you are in a fine dining restaurant, despite being in an airport. I loved the vibe, and the bar was lively too. If you’re staying at this hotel, you have to try the restaurant. It’s not cheap, but the view of the skyline from the rooftop terrace makes it worthwhile.
SUPERIOR DOUBLE ROOM
Since there were only three of us, we chose a superior double room. Our room was perfectly adequate, with a double bed and a sofa bed for our youngest child. I requested a room on a high floor with a view of the runways, and I was given one on the eighth floor. It was great fun watching the planes take off without hearing any noise. The soundproofing was exceptional. The room was pretty basic, but there was quite a bit of storage, and the interiors were attractive. It would have been nice to have some slippers and a robe too, but that’s not a big deal for an overnight stay. The Rituals products in the bathroom were a nice touch, too!
FINAL VERDICT
Flight delays can be a real pain, and sometimes you just want to start or end your holiday on a high note. A luxurious and stylish airport hotel like the Clarion can save the day! I don’t usually get excited about airport hotels, but this one deserves a special mention. While the standard rooms won’t blow you away (you’ll need to book a suite for that), the lounge, breakfast area, rooftop restaurant and the hotel’s overall ambience will make you wish you were staying longer. I found the best deal on Booking.com, less than a week before, so it’s also worth shopping around. We didn’t get a chance to visit the spa, but it looked divine. Adding a spa treatment or two might have made this stay even more special, but then we would have had to extend our stay by a day or two. Maybe next time!
