A blog about special neighbourhoods, local atmosphere and stellar coffee.
Hotel review - Marski by Scandic, Helsinki
If breakfast was a reason to return to a hotel, Marski by Scandic would probably be somewhere there on the list. This hotel that feels retro, comfortable and casual at once has become a central core for our short Helsinki trips.
The Nordic hotels are famous for their healthy yet hearty morning fare. And if breakfast was a reason to return to a hotel, Hotel Marski would probably be somewhere there on the list. Helsinki has become one of our favourite short break destinations, and we have happily gone back to Marski twice now. Located at the heart of the city, it has been a great focal point for our short Helsinki trips and a place for some memorable morning nourishment.
The hotel was opened in 1962 and it was refurbished a few years back with nuances of the early 60s decoration. And so you can expect dark greens and teals, mid-century armchairs, and modern light fixtures. The dark colour scheme continues in the room, although it is unfortunate that the appreciation to the mid-century modern and retro is not as dominant there as in the reception and restaurant. While the room might not be as individual as some smaller boutique hotels, it is plush and cosy. My favourite place was the dark bathroom with charcoal tiles and copper touches. I also appreciated their aromatic herbal and floral toiletries in big refillable bottles so there was no need to skimp on those. Our room on the 6th floor had a direct view of the buzzing Pohjoisesplanadi promenade and the historic Stockmann department store with its beautiful architecture from 1897, so it was a perfect vantage point for people watching.
The hotel’s Kuusi Palaa restaurant takes you straight back to the 60s whilst it simultaneously has a modern, airy look. The superb breakfast in the morning really elevated this hotel to another level, and was a good reason to get up from those comfortable beds. The buffet included all the stable elements, but had also many additional extras for my liking such as smoked salmon, oat yoghurt, berries, loose leaf teas, energising sea-buckthorn shots. Part of the experience is their beautiful earthy crockery in different sand tones. We ended up spending way too much time in the restaurant, drinking smoothies and munching fresh bread whilst watching the busy street life outside.
