Luxury Hotel · Finland
Waldorf Astoria Helsinki
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At a glance
Waldorf Astoria Helsinki opened in October 2025, rebranded from the property that had traded as Hotel Maria since December 2023.
The hotel spans four preserved 19th-century buildings in Kruununhaka, designed by Finnish architects Evert Lagerspetz and Armas Siitonen. The oldest dates to 1885, originally built as the officers’ barracks of the Uusimaa Battalion and later serving as Finnish government offices.
The Finnish Heritage Agency oversaw the restoration of the buildings, which included the hand restoration of 42 kilometres of original mouldings and the preservation of exposed timber beams in the attic-level suites.
Waldorf Astoria Helsinki sits in Kruununhaka, one of the city’s most storied neighbourhoods, within walking distance of Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square, the Presidential Palace, and the waterfront, with the cobbled streets of the surrounding area lined with vintage shops, bistros, and the Old Market Hall close by.
Highlights
- The only Waldorf Astoria in the Nordics, set across four restored 19th-century buildings in Helsinki’s historic Kruununhaka neighbourhood.
- Suites with private saunas, steam rooms, and original timber beams, alongside a spa rooted in Finnish bathing tradition.
- Steps from Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square, and the waterfront.
Accommodation
Rooms
All rooms feature handcrafted furnishings, an earth-tone palette, spa-style bathrooms, and dimmable chandelier lighting, with a tablet controlling everything from room temperature to the in-room steam function where available.
Entry-level rooms include spa-style bathrooms with walk-in showers. Grand Deluxe rooms, available in queen and twin configurations, offer additional space and a more substantial layout. Both share the same considered finish as the rest of the collection.
Suites
The suites are where the building’s history becomes part of the stay. The Junior Spa Suite is a 75sqm duplex loft set beneath original timber beams, with a staircase connecting the bedroom to a bathroom that includes a private steam room and rain shower. No two are identical, shaped as they are by the structure around them.
The Residential Suite draws on the building’s more formal heritage, with a four-poster bed, fireplace, living room, and a spa bathroom with original ornamental ceiling mouldings.
Executive Suites
The Signature Suite builds on the Residential in scale and finish, retaining the four-poster bed and ornamental ceiling details alongside a more substantial living space.
The Penthouse Suite covers 88sqm with floor-to-ceiling windows and city views across a large living and dining space, with a private butler included as standard.
The Imperial Suite sits at the top of the collection, a two-bedroom residence of 158sqm with a dining room, kitchen, steam room, and butler service. An airport transfer is arranged on arrival.
Further information
Food & Drink
Lilja
Lilja draws on Finnish produce with a culinary approach shaped by French tradition. Breakfast is served daily, with a buffet alongside dishes cooked to order. On Saturdays, Lilja hosts an afternoon tea with pastries, sandwiches, and scones paired with a selection of teas.
Lilja Terrace
The glass-enclosed terrace runs alongside the Lilja Dining Room and serves lunch and dinner throughout the year, opening to the courtyard in summer and operating as a garden dining room in winter.
Peacock Bar
A reference to Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria New York, the Peacock Bar runs from late morning through to midnight. The cocktail list draws on Finnish ingredients alongside house classics, with Champagne, caviar, and small accompaniments available throughout the day.
Spa & Wellness
The Waldorf Astoria Spa sits beneath a glass-roof atrium and takes its cues from the Finnish bathing tradition. A Finnish sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, jacuzzi pools, and a fountain lounge form the core of the facility. Four treatment rooms offer tailored bodywork and skincare from Biologique Recherche.
A wellness concierge handles bookings and can structure a personal wellness programme around individual schedules. A fitness centre and studio are also available on site.
Finland
Finland operates on Eastern European Time, two hours ahead of the UK and seven ahead of the East Coast of the US. The country is larger than it looks on a map: Helsinki to Rovaniemi in the heart of Lapland is around 830 kilometers, and domestic flights are the practical option for combining a city stay with an Arctic itinerary.
Our Experts
Whether you're after a cosy couples' escape or a charming family holiday, Finland has something for any traveller. Picture yourself bombing across a frozen landscape on a snowmobile before nestling up by a roaring log fire.
There are few experiences more magical than watching the Northern Lights dance across the Arctic sky. Why not spend the night in your own luxury igloo and see them for yourself?
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
Suggested tours
Scandinavia Luxury Tour: Nordic Capitals & Fjords
Tailor-made HolidayFour countries, twelve days, and a single thread of water and rail running through all of them. This is the grand tour of the Nordic capitals, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen, with Norway's fjords as the wild heart of the trip. You travel the way the region always has, by sea and by train. An overnight ferry carries you across the Baltic from Finland to Sweden.
12 days tailor-made from £6,295 per person View trip
Finland Family Winter Escape
Tailor-made HolidayEmbark on a journey to the far north to experience the magic of snow-laden forests, starry skies, and timeless Nordic traditions first-hand. This carefully curated Arctic adventure combines thrilling experiences with luxurious comfort, inviting you and your family to discover Lapland in all its majesty. Begin in Rovaniemi, the gateway to the Arctic. At the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, your glass-fronted retreat offers panoramic views of the snowy landscape.
7 days tailor-made from £4,995 per person View trip
Adventures in Lapland
Tailor-made HolidayThis carefully designed 10-day itinerary lets you indulge in the wonders of a true Finnish Lapland winter. Stay in the region's most captivating glass igloos and treetop suites while engaging in once-in-a-lifetime Arctic experiences like reindeer sleigh rides, ice fishing, and the elusive Northern Lights. Your winter adventure begins as you touchdown in Ivalo and journey to the beautiful Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
10 days tailor-made from £6,945 per person View tripNo two trips we plan are the same. Yours will be no exception.
Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of travelling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first enquiry to homecoming. No call centre, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.