Lapland Hotels Kuopio: Bringing the Lappish Nature to Finnish Lakeland

When you walk through the front entrance of the Lapland Hotel in Kuopio, you might just forget that you’re in the Finnish Lakeland region.

That’s because Lapland Hotels – the majority of which are in their namesake’s region – aim to bring Finnish Lapland inside every one of their properties.

The result is a hotel that is part cosy place to stay and part immersive experience.

My stay during a winter trip to Finland taught me a little-known travel hack: It’s totally possible to travel Finland on a budget, even if you want the full winter wonderland experience.

Places like Kuopio, the wider Lakeland region and Oulu have everything that you will find up north – only without the hefty price tags, crowds, and the pressure created by over-tourism.

Travelling to these less-visited regions is also a great way to enjoy a more responsible trip to Finland.

And, thanks to the presence of Lapland Hotels in Kuopio and other areas, the only thing you can only find in Lapland is Santa Claus’s home.

As for everything else? Look no further!

Checking in to Lapland Hotels Kuopio

From the second you step through the door of the Lapland Hotel, you’ll forget that you’re in the centre of one of Finland’s most industrious cities.

TIP | If you’re travelling by train, the hotel is just a couple of minutes’ walk from the station!

The reception and adjoining lounge area, atmospherically lit by crackling fireplaces and thoughtfully placed candles, feel incredibly homely despite the spacious open-plan design.

As you venture through the hotel’s corridors and communal spaces, the unmissable reindeer decorations instantly transport you to the Nordic North.

Kuopio may be a city that embodies innovation and development, but the Lapland Hotel is a sanctuary that invites you to slow right down.

Rooms at Lapland Hotel Kuopio

Before I arrived, I was told that the Kuopio, North Savo and the wider Lakeland region are famous for their unrivalled hospitality.

And, in line with this reputation, I was greeted in my room at Lapland Hotels Kuopio with some little treats to enjoy: some locally produced (gelatine-free!) jellies and some savoury crackers.

The room itself was – just like the reception area – both spacious and cosy, with the typical twin bed set-up found across Finland and other Scandinavian countries such as Iceland and Norway.

It had everything you need to feel comfy, including a tea and coffee station, a large desk, large shower and plenty of hooks for hanging coats and outdoor gear (super necessary in the winter!).

The washroom-style bathroom might be the only part that didn’t quite have the same luxury feeling, but the shower was powerful and the Arctic pine toiletries by Rento added a(nother) thoughtful and premium feel.

And, of course, there were several reindeer touches with the decor!

Unusual as it may be, I wasn’t entirely surprised to learn that the founder of the Lapland Hotels brand is a surgeon by trade because the incredible attention is what really sets this hotel apart.

Dining

As a local told me, “even if you’re not going to eat anything, you won’t want to miss the breakfast at the Lapland Hotel”.

I was hesitant to believe her.

In my experience, the breakfasts provided in Finnish hotels were already some of the best in the world. To say that this one would stand out among them seemed like a tall order.

But she wasn’t wrong. The breakfast at Lapland Hotels is special.

While the food wasn’t my absolute favourite – the bar had been set outrageously high by Hobo Hotel in Helsinki – it was easily the most aesthetically intriguing and diverse breakfast I had in Finland.

The entire buffet was displayed beautifully and it was obvious that all products used were of the highest quality, and there were plenty of vegan options too.

Not only that, but they are all sourced locally or from Lapland itself, creating a balance between supporting local producers and bringing the Arctic nature to Kuopio.

My favourite part was the array of Arctic berries and other treats I could try, many of which I had never even heard of before.

They were offered as jams, dried fruits, powders, smoothies and whole berries, and included lingonberry, cloud berry and sea buckthorn, among others.

Other Facilities

Like most accommodation in Finland, the Lapland Hotel in Kuopio has a sauna – or, rather, saunas.

As is often the case, the saunas are separated into male and female faciltiies, meaning bathing suits are completely optional.

There is also a gym that is open daily from 6h00-22h00. It’s small but fairly well-equipped – enough for a one- or two-night stay – and with small towels available for use.

One thing that really stood out at the Kuopio Lapland Hotel compared to other hotels I’ve stayed in throughout Finland was the amount of communal space.

There is an entire lounge area next to reception, with sofas, fireplaces and areas so private they feel like your own personal living rooms.

Even though my room was super comfy, I appreciated having spaces I could choose to use – especially while working.

And, with solid interest speeds (26.88 Mb/s download and 17.83 Mb/s upload) it made for a cosy office on the go.

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Sustainability

Given the attention to detail and heavy focus on nature at Lapland Hotels Kuopio, it’ll likely come as no surprise that the hotel prioritises sustainability.

Almost everything in the hotel – from the decor to the restaurant ingredients – comes directly from Lapland. Where this isn’t the case, it’s all sourced locally.

The hotel is powered by green energy (wind, hydro and bioenergy) and electric vehicle charging points are available.

The hotel has received Sustainable Travel Finland accreditation and Ekokompassi certification due to its efforts to reduce waste and operate in a sustainable manner.