Visit Helsinki: Koti Apartment Hotel Katajanokka -

n commercial collaboration with Helsinki Partners

After falling in love with Helsinki back in April, we were so excited to head back in the Autumn to explore further and experience this beautiful city in a change of seasons. There was something about Helsinki which gripped us all be that the unique combination of quirky urban space with the silence of the sea front and endless forests, the culinary expertise which blows every other country out of the water, or the small-town folk with a metropolitan mindset who welcomed us with such kindness. It’s the kind of city which makes you stop and take a breath, think a little deeper, laugh a little louder, embrace those around you and really just live in the moment, and from the moment we landed and stepped foot into the airport, it felt as though we had arrived back home.

And home it was as we arrived at our accommodation – the newly opened Koti apartment hotel on one of the most central islands, Katajanokka. Located within a historical storehouse building in the Jugendstil district, the area is surrounded by the sea and offers so much to both residents and tourists. One thing we learned about Helsinki on our first visit was that sustainability is everything and making sure old buildings are re-purposed is something you will see often within the city. The district of Jugendstil is an up and coming area where you will find a variety of great restaurants, coffee shops, easy access to all transport links and attraction. It is possibly the most well known for being the birthplace of Tove Jansson and the Moomins, something which our children were so excited about!

As a parent I am a huge fan of apartment hotels, having all the home comforts and space of a private apartment but still all of the amenities you would expect from a hotel. Our apartment was beautiful, situated on the ground floor across two levels, making it perfect for travelling as a larger family needing our space. Having only opened just a few months before, the decor has been immaculately finished and furnished in a unique and stylish manner.

I really loved the lay-out of our Koti apartment with the open plan living room, dining room and kitchen which felt spacious, stylish and yet practical. Having a lounge area is really important for us when travelling as a family too, I think having a separate area to sit in the evening without disturbing the children is great and means that Gaz and I can wind down and enjoy some time to ourselves.

Although we ate out for the majority of our stay, it was great to have a full sized fridge freezer, an oven and grill, coffee machine, toaster and all the crockery and cutlery we could need. We instantly felt right at home and that’s the real luxury of Koti Apartment Hotel, you really get a feel of living as the locals do which in my opinion is always the best way to really get the full Helsinki experience.

Downstairs you’ll find two bedrooms which can be adapted depending on the number in your party. With us being a five we had a large double bed for the kids as well as a single bed to the side. The space downstairs is incredible with so many of the original features from the historic storehouse and a really urban, stylish finish. With the downstairs being partly underground it’s so quiet and peaceful, we could have slept for hours when the lights went out.

We loved the arched ceilings in the second bedroom, separated from the first with floor to ceiling glass doors and with so many impressive mod cons. With the exposed brickwork and piping it really felt like we were in the original storehouse and I loved the uniqueness of that. We discovered last time that the architecture in Helsinki is so impressive but the interiors are equally incredible too!

We also discovered that the majority of apartments in Helsinki have private saunas, or shared for residents if not, and Koti did not disappoint. We had a large bathroom with a freestanding bath, a huge open shower, a washing machine and dryer, a large vanity unit, a separate toilet and that all important private sauna. The children were undressed and inside before I’d even unpacked our bags and slept like babies as a result. You literally cannot beat a sauna before bed and I have since vowed to build one in the garden for 2023!

If you’re looking for a larger private sauna, Koti boasts a large sauna on the rooftop terrace alongside a hot tub, bar and restaurant and a private dining room for hire. We were so excited to be invited there to celebrate our first night back in Helsinki and it was literally the perfect way to kick start our stay.

We were treated to dinner in the private dining room with a delicious menu from a restaurant located next door to Koti – Beaky Basterd & Co. The food in Helsinki is unlike any other cuisine we have had before, it’s a combination of the quality of the produce, the innovative cooking methods, the sustainable approach and the overall presentation. And let me tell you, it is all utterly delicious!!

We enjoyed a selection of cold local beers and ciders which were made even more enjoyable for the fact we sat drinking them and eating our food wearing our bath robes, looking out at the night views of the city, with the sauna heating up nicely in the next room. Over the next couple of hours we grazed on food, drinks, relaxed in the sauna, caught up with old friends and toasted another amazing stay together in Helsinki. It was definitely an evening we will never forget.