Attractive urban hotel in small town Porvoo in east Finland with rustic yet elegant look

RUNO Hotel / Porvoo / Nyland / Finland

I admire brave people. People like Erkka Hirvonen. Together with his brother they decide to take over a building in their hometown of Porvoo, a town about an hour east of Helsinki. A building dating back to 1912 and turn it into a destination design hotel. The result of this adventure is the wonderful RUNO Hotel.

When the Hirvonen brothers had acquired the building they brought on Finnish designer Joanna Laajisto and together they created a unique urban design hotel. The exterior is a sunny yellow color that makes this building stand out among the low-slung wooden houses of Porvoo. The inspiration for the interior came from the famous Stockholm hotel, Ett Hem (designed by one of my favorites, Ilse Crawford) and from hotel juggernaut Ian Schrager (who is the man behind classic hotels such as the Hudson and Gramercy Park Hotels in NYC and the Edition chain). They decided to preserve several of the original elements, such as staircases, windows and fireplaces as well as reliefs on the corners of the facade. Comfort and aesthetics were equally important and they decided to call their style, modern-rustic.

Our room had a kind of elegant look, with wooden panelling, a statement DUX bed and marble details. The color scheme feels harmonious with muted, gentle colors paired with patterned bed lined and flowing, sheer curtains.

All throughout this 56-key hotel there are original art work on display, celebrating Finnish art and design. Downstairs in the lobby/bar/restaurant the locals are mixing with us hotel guests which is always a plus in my book. This is the best way to create a vibe. And when you need to escape that vibe, there is a really cozy sauna space on the top floor, with an open fireplace and ice shower. I mean, come on! This is Finland after all.

Since yellow is my favorite color, I love the exterior of the hotel.

The reception is integrated into the lobby area and the bar.

Heading up to our room on the second floor. These traditional Finnish hankerchiefs is a fun local take on Nepalese prayer flags.

Our bright and airy room, with quality beds from DUX, framed by cream colored wooden panelling.

I really like bed linen with patterns. Many times the classic white feels so boring. Gives more life and energy to the room.

This is a first for me: our very own in-room bubble water maker.

The hotel lobby opens up towards the bar and the restaurant.

M checking out what is happening on the local scene.

Some quirky Finnish art on display in the hotel.

Another thing I really, really appreciate being a coffee maniac is that there is always complimentary coffee in the bar.

Being in Finland, of course there is a sauna in the hotel. The sauna area is located on the top floor and is a great place to relax after having explored Porvoo.

Yet another thing that is exceptionally good at the hotel, the breakfast.

In the old part of Porvoo, all the houses are made of wood and they have painted in all kinds of different colors.

M strolling around taking in the sights, mostly longing to go back to the hotel for a proper sauna session.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are looking for a well-designed, urban boutique hotel with a sunny yellow exterior and a soft, contemporary interior. If you have ”done” Helsinki and you are looking for another Finnish town for a city break, you should look into this hotel, the RUNO.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the breakfast. The Finns, just like their other Nordic neighbors, take their breakfast seriously. And not only that, the breakfast at RUNO had some local delicacies that I have never tried before like leipäjuusto, Bread Cheese. Served with whipped cream and home made jam. Or saaristolaislimppu, the dark, delicious archipelago bread, best served with only some salted butter.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to go for a walk along the winding streets of Porvoo, with the old rickety wooden houses and cute little artisan shops.

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