6 Best Hotels in Southwestern Coast and the Ålands, Finland

Run by a charming couple and at the end of a remote rustic lane, just a 30-minute drive from Mariehamn and close to Eckerö, Björnhofvda Gård is one of the best country-lodge hotels in the archipelago. A cooked and/or continental breakfast is included with an overnight stay either in the main house or in outlying buildings, one of which dates back to the 19th century. There is a proper old-style wood-burning sauna, a well-stocked wine cellar, scenic shorelines within walking distance, and deer roaming in the nearby fields. The restaurant offers a set menu changing daily in summer and monthly at other times (closed Sunday and Monday).

Built in 1902 in charming art nouveau style, the Park Hotel offers individual rooms (that is, no two rooms are the same) with high ceilings and antique furniture and all the amenities of a modern boutique hotel. It's in the heart of Turku, two blocks from Market Square and close to the railway station. Sadly, the parrot Jaakko perched in reception, always ready to greet guests, passed away in 2018.

In the heart of Mariehamn, the bayside Hotel Arkipelag is known for its fine marina and lively Arken nightclub. Rooms are basic but comfortable, with huge picture windows and balconies, and guests have access to an outdoor pool. Ask for a seaside room. The restaurants, set in long, wood-panel rooms with wide windows overlooking an ocean inlet, serve fresh Åland seafood.

Pommern is a modern, comfortable hotel in central Mariehamn, popular with couples and families. The Kvarter5 restaurant serves breakfast, and guests have access to separate men's and women's saunas as well as 24-hour access to the nearby Avancia fitness center. Bicycles are available for rent, and pets are also welcome. 

The Wiklund is at the heart of Turku’s city life, located on one corner of Market Square on the site of the historic Wiklund hardware store and within a two-to-three-minute walk of the scenic riverfront. Family friendly and with brightly furnished rooms, it’s a good choice for conveniently placed Nordic-style comfort and sports a good Italian restaurant, a wine bar, a coffee bar, and the Walo Rooftop Bar.

Opened in 1894, the Hamburger Börs has iconic status in Turku for its unbeatable location and historic stature, although it has undergone a few changes and refurbishments over the decades, including a comprehensive renovation that finished in late 2021. It's on one corner of the central Market Square (itself only recently unveiled after major reconstruction), which makes it within easy reach of most of the city's main attractions. Rooms are modern and well-equipped, some overlooking Market Square, others a rear courtyard, and there's a beautifully wood-paneled Spanish-styled restaurant and a rooftop bar and terrace.