5 Best Hotels in The Lakelands, Finland

The level of comfort within this historic and iconic hotel convenient to the rapid-paced city center is belied by the rather staid facade. The rooms are modern, but the lobby and entrance areas have an Agatha Christie, art nouveau ambience, with elegant furniture and fittings. There is a pleasant outdoor terrace that is also popular with locals in summer and a sheltered winter garden. Breakfast is served in the opulent Tammer Hall, while lunch and dinner are served in the Bistro.

In one of the most modern local hotels, rooms here are spacious by European standards, with large beds and fluffy towels. It's on the lakefront and also close to town. The on-site restaurant, Bord, specializes in traditional Finnish fare.

This Scandic property in the heart of the city center, directly opposite the train station, offers newly renovated rooms that exude a restrained and tidy Nordic elegance. The overall decor is in clean and calm simple beige and gray color schemes. The Scandic chain conveniences include free Wi-Fi and a free breakfast buffet.

Torni means "tower," which gives you an idea of what to expect with this 88-meter-tall building on the edge of converted rail yards, with decor and rooms referencing various elements of Tampere culture and history. The Moro Sky Bar (moro being a local-dialect greeting) on the 25th floor, with an outdoor roof terrace and stunning views, is the coolest spot for well-heeled hipsters. Room themes vary according to the level, starting with Solo Twin on Floors 2 to 16 and ascending to Junior and Ultimate (with sauna) suites on the 24th. There is a gym, a guest sauna, and an ample buffet breakfast.

About 5 km (3 miles) from the town center, Rauhalahti is a self-contained spa resort near Lake Kallavesi and consists of the Spa Hotel, apartments, and a new studio hotel. The hotel has three places to dine—the Sofia C Restaurant, the Irish-style Old Man Lode Bar and Café, and the Jätkänkämppä lumberjack-themed timber lodge—and has live dance music three times a week. The spa offers a full range of treatments, from facials, pedicures, and manicures to clay massage, and it houses various pools.