Scandic opens debut Finnish hotel
Scandic Hotels has announced the opening of its fifth signature hotel, Marski by Scandic. Located in the heart of Helsinki and marking the brand’s first hotel in the country, the refurbished property features 363 guestrooms as well as meeting and event spaces, a restaurant, bar, café and wellness centre. Originally opened in 1962, the hotel was renovated to bring it in line with brand standards whilst staying true to its roots in Finnfulness – a concept based on open mindedness, an urban lifestyle and love of nature.
As such, the interior design scheme draws inspiration from the outdoors by way of a palette featuring shades of dark green recalling Finnish woods and the warm reds of Finnish berries. The hotel’s light wooden floors are paired with grey stone reminiscent of the cliffs in the Finnish archipelago, whilst the furniture is a blend of modern Finnish design and influences from abroad.
In guestrooms, Finnfulness and Helsinki are brought to life through images of nature by local photographer Seppo Alanko, whilst guests can also take in art exhibitions and and DJs at the Marski Bar, or enjoy Finnish classics with an international twist at the Kuusi Palaa restaurant.
Jouko Puranen, General Manager at Marski by Scandi, comments: “The hotel’s harmonious design draws inspiration from the local urban environment and our longing for nature, making Marski by Scandic an exciting meeting place that offers unique experiences in the middle of the city and an oasis of Finnfulness – a modern attitude that opens doors to Helsinki as we see and experience it.”
During the renovation, the hotel’s building systems were updated to meet today’s energy-efficiency requirements. Marski was also awarded the official Nordic Swan Ecolabel certification with strict requirements regarding limiting consumption of energy, water and chemicals as well as source separation of waste. Recycled materials have thus been used whenever possible including for staff uniforms and table napkins as well as in the hotel’s umbrellas.
Marski by Scandic joins the brand’s signature collection alongside Haymarket by Scandic and Downtown Camper in Stockholm, Grand Hotel Oslo, and Hotel Norge in Bergen.
