Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa

The train pulled into Kupittaa station on a crisp autumn afternoon, and I walked straight into the hotel without stepping outside. Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa sits right there, connected indoors, which felt like a small mercy with the wind picking up off the coast.

I checked in around four, dropped my bag in the room, and headed up to the ninth floor as soon as the saunas opened at five. The elevator hummed quietly, and when the doors parted, I stepped into a space that mixed clean lines with those wide windows overlooking the city. Turku spread out below, a mix of old stone buildings and the green stretch of Kupittaa park nearby.

The sauna itself was straightforward, with wooden benches and a heater that built the warmth steadily. I grabbed some of the sauna honey from the shelf, along with a scrub cream and a bottle of löyly scent. Eucalyptus, I think it was, sharp and clearing as I sprinkled it on the stones.

Steam rose, and the heat wrapped around me like a familiar coat. A few other guests came and went, mostly hotel folks unwinding after the day. I sat there for a good twenty minutes, letting the sweat come, before heading out to the cooling terrace.

The air hit cool against my skin, and I leaned on the railing, watching the lights start to flicker on across the city as dusk settled. That panoramic view made the moment stretch, with the park's trees turning shadowy below.

After cooling off, I wandered into the M&M fitness room next door, still included with the stay. It had basic equipment, nothing fancy, but those same big windows kept the view alive while I stretched out a bit. The sauna hours run until half past nine each evening, so there was no rush.

Back in the sauna for a second round, I tried the scrub this time, rubbing it on gently before rinsing under a shower. The whole top floor felt quiet, accessible too, with ramps and space for wheelchairs if needed.

Downstairs later, I stopped at the Bistro Elli for a bite, the restaurant buzzing softly with evening diners. The hotel bar on the rooftop added to the draw, though I kept it simple that night.

The next morning, after the included breakfast in the bistro, I checked out by noon and walked through Kupittaa park on my way back to the station. Families were out, joggers too, and the leaves crunched underfoot.

That sauna visit lingered in my mind, tied to the city's rhythm and those high-up views. Parking's easy if you drive, right into the hall below, and the whole place runs smooth, from check-in to the last steam.