Best Helsinki Hotel with In-Room Sauna: A Lapland Bulevardi Review

The Quest for the Perfect Helsinki Stay: Why an In-Room Sauna Was Non-Negotiable

When my trip to Helsinki was confirmed, my mind was set on one thing. I needed to experience the very soul of the city: its sauna culture. However, simply visiting a public sauna wasn’t enough. As CityNomix, a digital marketer who thrives on organized information and a traveler who craves authentic experiences, I came to a clear conclusion. I needed a private space to connect with the sauna experience on my own terms. My mission became finding a great Helsinki hotel with an in-room sauna. This was the cornerstone of my entire trip.

I initially assumed this would be an easy task. After all, this is Helsinki, the capital of the land where saunas were born. That assumption was quickly proven wrong. The options were surprisingly limited. My search narrowed down to two contenders: the highly acclaimed Hotel St. George Helsinki, known for its impeccable design and stellar reviews, and the more enigmatic Lapland Hotels Bulevardi.

Honestly, my heart was initially set on St. George. The internet was flooded with praise, virtually guaranteeing a quality stay. In contrast, there was a stark lack of detailed English reviews for Lapland Hotels Bulevardi. I had to rely solely on the official website and booking platforms. Yet, something about its name, evoking the mystique of Lapland, and its clear focus on the private sauna experience, captured my imagination. A large bathtub for a post-sauna cold plunge was also a must-have, a feature that seemed to be available only in their suite-level rooms. I decided to take a chance on the unknown. I used my Hotels.com rewards to book a suite, feeling confident in my decision.

But travel, as it often does, had other plans. A last-minute Finnair strike forced a change in my flights, detailed in my review of JAL’s business class service. This resulted in an extra night in Helsinki. Seizing the opportunity, I booked that extra night at the very hotel I had been debating, Hotel St. George. It was a unique chance to compare both properties. However, this also planted a new seed of doubt. St. George was every bit as wonderful as its reputation suggested. Would Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, the hotel I knew so little about, be a disappointment in comparison? With this question weighing on my mind, I dragged my suitcases across the city’s cobblestone streets, heading toward my final destination.

Lapland Hotels Bulevardi: Discovering an Arctic Sanctuary in a Helsinki Hotel with an In-Room Sauna

The walk from Hotel St. George to Lapland Hotels Bulevardi is a mere ten minutes. However, for a traveler wrestling with multiple suitcases, the charming European cobblestones feel more like an obstacle course. Finally, I arrived, catching my breath as I took in the hotel’s facade.

First Impressions: Nordic Nature Meets Urban Sophistication

A low-angle view looking up at the entrance of Lapland Hotels Bulevardi on a sunny day. The hotel's name is in white letters above an awning with a wood-grain ceiling, and green leaves sway in the foreground. — The exterior of Lapland Hotels Bulevardi. You can’t help but feel excited by its stylish facade that exudes natural warmth.

The building’s modern lines are softened by warm, wooden accents, creating the impression of a forest grove nestled in the city. The reflection of street-side trees in the glass panes enhanced this feeling of an urban oasis. True to its name, the design exuded a sense of harmony with nature. Stepping inside, I was greeted by an even deeper, more tranquil atmosphere. The lobby’s decor is a nod to the serene landscapes of Lapland, and the adjacent bar felt like the perfect place to unwind.

At the front desk, a staff member welcomed me with a genuine, beaming smile. I’ve found that people in Finland have a wonderful way of making direct eye contact and offering a smile that feels truly heartfelt. It instantly put me at ease. Luckily, my room was ready, and I was able to check in immediately.

The Suite Reveal: A Private Sauna and Space Beyond Expectation

The moment I opened the door to my suite, any lingering doubts vanished. The sense of space was immediate and impressive. A thoughtful touch I appreciated right away was a designated area at the entrance for outdoor shoes, separate from the slipper-friendly living space—a small detail that speaks to a culture of cleanliness and comfort.

A softly lit hotel living room. It is furnished with a patterned grey sofa, a beige armchair with an ottoman, two round coffee tables, and a wall-mounted TV. — The comfortable living area right inside the entrance—the perfect space to cool down after a sauna.

The living area was expansive, with more than enough room to unpack all five of my suitcases without feeling cluttered. The large sofa was inviting, and the room’s decor, a calming palette of natural tones, was easy on the eyes.

A spacious hotel room decorated in natural tones. A bed is in the background, with a sofa and lounge chair arranged in the foreground. — Here’s a look at the room’s interior. There’s plenty of space to open up your suitcases.

Then, I saw the bedroom. Beyond the large, comfortable bed was a glass-walled bathroom. I had seen photos online, but the reality of this open, airy design was stunning. It created a unique, luxurious atmosphere. Of course, a curtain could be drawn for privacy when needed.

A view from the bedroom of a hotel room, showing a glass-walled bathroom with a modern white freestanding tub and a sauna in the back. — Here’s the view of the bathroom from the bedside. You can also draw the curtain for privacy.

The practical details were just as impressive. The double vanity is a fantastic feature, allowing two people to get ready without getting in each other’s way. The separate toilet was another welcome convenience.

A modern bathroom vanity in a hotel suite, featuring two sinks, a large mirror, and a view of the bathtub in the adjacent room. — Since it was a suite, having two sinks was very convenient.

Finally, I came face-to-face with the star of the show: the private sauna. Tucked behind the shower, it was breathtakingly beautiful. It looked brand new, perfectly clean, and smelled faintly of fresh wood. Next to it sat an enormous bathtub, ready to serve as my personal cold plunge pool. This was everything I had hoped for in Helsinki. My choice was validated. This was, without a doubt, the right hotel for me.

The Ultimate Indulgence: An Authentic Löyly in Your Private Finnish Sauna

After a bit of sightseeing, I returned to the hotel, my anticipation at its peak. The first thing I did was walk over to the sauna’s control panel. As instructed by the front desk, it was a simple one-button operation. The sauna would be ready in about an hour. Even the wait felt like part of the ritual, a quiet prelude to the bliss that was to come.

My Personal Sanctuary: The In-Room Sauna Experience

An hour later, the thermostat read over 70°C (158°F). It was time. I opened the door, and a gentle wave of woody fragrance greeted me. The space was large enough for two people to sit comfortably and was impeccably clean.

A modern bathroom featuring a walk-in glass shower, a freestanding white bathtub, and a glass-enclosed wooden home sauna. — A state-of-the-art sauna right next to the shower. The ultimate relaxation in a pristine, modern space.

I sat on the bench and took a deep breath. I could feel a light sweat begin to form on my skin. The act of warming the body to soothe away fatigue is a familiar comfort, much like the bathing culture in Japan. A sauna works on the same principle, relaxing the mind and body from the core.

Then came the moment I’d been waiting for: the löyly. I scooped water from the wooden bucket and poured it slowly over the hot stones. A satisfying sizzle, “tssssss,” filled the air, followed by a wave of hot, fragrant steam that enveloped me completely. It wasn’t just heat; the steam carried a subtle, herbal aroma that amplified the sense of relaxation. The sound, the heat, the scent—it was an intoxicating combination. I found myself repeating the process, completely mesmerized.

I should admit, I’m a sauna novice. The thought of navigating the etiquette of a public sauna in Finland was a little intimidating. But here, in my own private sauna, there were no such worries. I could enjoy it at my own pace, in my own way. It was the ultimate luxury.

The Blissful Cycle: Sauna, Cold Plunge, and a Moment of Peace

Once I was thoroughly warmed, I stepped out and into the adjacent bathtub, which I had filled with cold water. The sensation of submerging my hot body into the cool water was electrifyingly pleasant. A deep sigh of contentment escaped my lips. It’s moments like these that make you understand why Finland consistently ranks as the happiest country on Earth. Surely, this culture of thermal wellness plays a part.

A modern hotel room with a large white bathtub in the bathroom, looking through a glass wall into the bedroom where a bed is decorated with deer antlers above the headboard. — An open-concept hotel room with a view of the bedroom from the bathtub.

I repeated the cycle of sauna and cold bath three times, feeling my body and mind reset. The open-concept design allowed me to gaze out into the bedroom, reinforcing the feeling of being in a spacious, healing sanctuary.

A modern bathroom with beige tiles, featuring a white freestanding bathtub in the foreground and a glass-enclosed shower and private wooden sauna in the background. — An open and inviting healing space where the sauna and bathroom become one.

After a final shower, I wrapped myself in a plush robe and settled onto the living room sofa. My body was still glowing with warmth. I opened a cold beer from the fridge. That first sip was pure bliss. It was the perfect end to a perfect ritual.

My Only Regret: A Pro Tip for Your Booking

In this otherwise flawless experience, I have just one piece of advice. My only regret was not choosing a room with a balcony. During my visit, Helsinki was experiencing a record-breaking heatwave. While Finnish buildings are designed to retain heat, their cooling systems can sometimes struggle with extreme temperatures. A key part of the sauna experience is cooling down in the fresh air. A balcony would have provided the perfect spot for that, especially on those warm nights. I made a mental note: next time, a balcony is a must.

For anyone planning a stay, I highly recommend booking a suite with a balcony to get the full, rejuvenating experience.

Final Verdict: The Definitive Choice for a Helsinki Hotel with an In-Room Sauna

I ended up using the sauna every single day of my stay, even on the morning of my departure. I was completely hooked. My stay at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi, which began with uncertainty, became the highlight of my trip to Helsinki. The initial lack of information turned out to be a blessing, allowing for a true sense of discovery.

The incredible sauna was just part of the story. The breakfast was phenomenal (I’ll write a separate review on that, but the bread and vegan options were standouts), and the warmth of the staff was exceptional. All these elements combined have made this my go-to hotel in Helsinki. Even now, writing this, I can almost feel the steam and smell the fresh-baked bread. If you are searching for the ultimate Helsinki hotel with an in-room sauna, I can say with absolute confidence: this is the one.

Location and Booking Information for Lapland Hotels Bulevardi

The hotel is centrally located, making it a convenient base for exploring the city. You can book directly through their official website or various travel sites.

Official Website: https://www.laplandhotels.com/en/hotels-and-destinations/helsinki/lapland-hotels-bulevardi.html

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My Stay at the Best Helsinki Hotel with an In-Room Sauna: A Lapland Hotels Bulevardi Review