Helsinki’s finest hotel opened in 1887, and was the sort of place where well-heeled Finns like Sibelius could be spotted mixing with Europe’s aristocracy. The hotel, which reopened in 1999 after a major refurbishment, is now undergoing another transformation. The renovation is being carried out in phases, with the fully renewed hotel scheduled for completion in early 2026. The project includes the refurbishment of all rooms, the addition of 31 new rooms, the relocation of the main entrance to its original location facing Esplanade Park, and a complete makeover of the bar and restaurant areas. The hotel will remain open throughout the refurbishment. The Kämp’s location is unbeatable, at the heart of the city, opposite Esplanade Park, close by the best shops, restaurants and sights in this compact capital. The city museum, the presidential palace, and the central rail station are all within a handful of blocks, and the harbour is a short walk away. It’s the hotel itself that’s the main attraction, though; the lobby is all polished stone and hardwoods, antique furnishings and century-old glamour, and a sweeping stone staircase leads up to a magnificent ballroom. Rooms are luxuriously furnished, featuring magnificent marble bathrooms, and the largest suites have their own saunas, something of a Scandinavian institution, though less fortunate guests will find the spa’s facilities more than adequate.