An elegant new urban retreat Hotel Maria has opened in central Helsinki, Finland, complete with a new spa and wellness facility.

New for 2024, The Maria Spa is inspired by the 117-key hotel’s namesake, Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna – a revered Nordic royal who sought sanctuary in Finland during challenging times and was known for her elegance and intelligence.

Designed as a sanctuary from urban life, the spa's healing philosophy melds traditional Finnish sauna culture with holistic treatments and concepts.

The spa is inspired by Finland's natural beauty and is complete with a cool-toned palette. It is home to four treatment rooms and features a glass-roofed Atrium Lounge filled with greenery, a traditional Finnish sauna, a steamroom with a cave-like design, cold and warm water plunge pools and a Jacuzzi.

Additional facilities include an experience pool, a cold bucket shower, a spa bar area, a fireplace and a boutique selling beauty and wellbeing products.

The spa offers a menu of treatments by Biologique Recherche as well as signature Nordic-inspired wellness rituals and high-tech treatment upgrades including infrared sauna blankets and compression therapy cloudboots – each top-up costs €65 (US$70, £56).

Developed and operated by Samla Capital, the hotel’s commitment to wellness also extends to in-room services, including the Finnish Oat Milk Bath or Viking Bath with Nordic salt and hand-collected herbs.

Finnish wellness roots

Embedded in a cultural history spanning thousands of years, Finnish saunas are a cornerstone of national wellbeing.

The Hotel Maria pays homage to this through its 19 Spa Suites (10 Junior Spa Suites, three Loft Spa Suites, two Premier Loft Spa Suites and four Signature Spa Suites), all of which offer an in-suite steamroom or sauna along with complimentary access to the hotel spa.

The hotel also provides access to a Wellness Concierge, who tailors each experience to individual preferences and provides an array of services.

These range from healthy menu planning and personal training sessions to beauty consultations and health coaching.

Coming Soon: Maria Wellness Club and Wellness StudioAs part of the final stage of The Hotel Maria’s opening, The Maria Wellness Club and Wellness Studio will launch in June 2024.

The facility will offer a design-forward fitness space with high-end equipment and training programmes.

Starting in January 2024 until the gym opens in June, guests can have Balan fitness equipment and Spinning bikes provided in their rooms, and there will also be a weekly Outdoor Club, which will be complimentary for all guests and Wellness Club members.

About The Hotel Maria

Located in the heart of Helsinki, The Hotel Maria is home to two restaurants, a ballroom and a chapel.