Atlantica - 01.02.2006, Síða 22

20 AT L A N T I CA
on the fly
Though Finnish design is widely celebrated, from the architecture at JFK to the
Marimekko handbags taking over the shoulders of Europe, the first design
hotel just opened in Helsinki last November.
Yes, design hotels are all over the place these days. The Design Hotels chain
has rooms from Cyprus to Leeds to Oman. But they’re ubiquitous for a reason.
They’re nice.
The new Helsinki addition to the chain, Klaus K, chose to take its inspiration
from the Finnish founding saga “Kalevala” – a nostalgic move that really could
have gone one way or the other. In Klaus K’s case, it went the right way, lending a
playful spirit to an elegantly designed space. The hotel is a stylish and welcoming
place to base yourself for a weekend in Helsinki. The designers even themed the
guest rooms (136 and 2 suites in all) around moods depicted in the Kalevala tale
– passion, mystical, desire, and envy.
Despite being home to three restaurants and a rambling bar with several
cloistered sitting areas, Klaus K manages to feel small and cozy. Among the
feathers in its cap is chef Marcus Samuelsson, the celebrated Swede who became
head chef at New York City’s Aquavit at the age of 25. Samuelsson is set to become
consulting chef for the Klaus K restaurants. The hotel is also home to the Helsinki
Day Spa, where you can take a yoga class or get a pedicure. And attached to the
spa is the very Finnish concept of a combined sauna and conference space.
Which leads me to Klaus K’s crowning achievement amid its slick leather
couches and excellent service. Despite being a hotel you’d like to stay at no
matter where you were in the world, Klaus K gives you a gentle nudge now and
then to remind you that you are – sauna, saga and all – in Finland.
Klaus K, Nulevardi 2-4, Helsinki 00120, Finland. +358 (0) 20 770 4700.
www.klauskhotel.com.
WITH SAUNA
009 airmail Atlantica 206.indd 20 22.2.2006 14:54:37