The Klaus K is Finland’s first Design Hotel and celebrates the country’s heritage like no other. The rooms and overall design are based on Finland’s national epic, the Kalevala, and has images of the characters throughout the halls. All of the rooms are representative in some way of the four emotional themes in the Kalevala: passion, desire, envy, and mysticism.
We stayed in a Sky Loft room, the newest concept of rooms at the Klaus K. The bedroom area is on an elevated platform looking over the living portion of the room, and the bathrooms are spacious and modern. Every corner of the room has some sort of artistic flair, whether it’s sculptural lighting hanging over the sink, or a textured wall of light next to the bed. Guests staying in the Sky Lofts not only have their own entrance to the hotel, but also have open access to the rooftop terrace. You can also stream your own music through the room’s sound system or enjoy the hotel’s dedicated music channels.
Breakfast has a unique option – you can either stay in the hotel’s lounge area and have a traditional Finnish breakfast, or you can go into the adjoining restaurant, Toscanini, and have an Italian breakfast.
The hotel is located right in downtown Helsinki and is the perfect home base for exploring the city by foot, tram, or bike. An exceptionally helpful front desk staff will answer any questions you have, give you directions, and invite you to all of the several cocktail and snack hours hotel guests can take advantage of.
From US$162 per night
– The hotel’s design is modern and very attractive.
– The downstairs bar is posh and a great place to hang out.
– The Sky Loft rooms can be tricky to navigate at night; I fell down the stairs.
Jennifer Billock
Review Team
If I only had room to write “Relais & Châteaux”, that is all you would need to know that Villa des Orangers is just about perfect.
But since I have more room, let me tell you how it is so perfect.
The front door is deceivingly plain, but once you enter Villa des Orangers, discrete opulence awaits. The buildings originate from the 1930s and were the home of a judge until 1998. They have been completely restored with exquisite attention to detail and design. I was most impressed with the intricately carved wood and plaster and with the captivating scent of orange blossoms from the gardens, and I wanted every piece of furniture for my own house.
The hotel has 27 rooms and suites, including a private two-story riad. There are two pools, one on the roof and the other, heated, in one of the courtyards. Villa des Orangers boasts a very popular spa with hammam and an evening restaurant (headed by Jean-Claude Olry), both open to outside guests. Befitting a Relais & Châteaux property, the restaurant is excellent (day time dining is for in-house guests only).
I loved my suite with its separate areas for sleeping and sitting, and its wood fireplace on view from both. There was another fireplace in the bathroom, perfect for gazing at while soaking in the stunning clawfoot tub, while being read to from the armchair next to it. Upstairs was my own private terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains, their snows pinked by the setting sun.
At Villa des Orangers you will feel completely cared for, and the hotel is so lovely it will be difficult to leave to explore Marrakech. Rates are inclusive of breakfast (in the dining room, in your suite, or on your private terrace), a delicious three-course lunch, afternoon tea, non-alcoholic drinks, airport transfers and even your laundry.
From US$450 to $1795 for the private riad, with all the inclusions noted on the right
– This hotel is so wonderful you will be tempted to stay within, instead of exploring Marrakech
– Walking distance to almost everything, yet a car can take you right to the door (very rare in old Marrakech)
– It’s Relais & Châteaux – there’s no need to say more!
– Wifi might not work on your private terrace (and elsewhere it isn’t very fast)
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
With just four rooms you can expect excellent service at Riad Due. The owner is Italian, as is the charming manager, and the hotel provides a lovely mix of Moroccan and Italian hospitality.
The first thing you will notice at Riad Due is the extraordinary carved wood. The doors to the rooms are massive — over three meters tall and opening in four parts (you’ll only need to open one). In my suite, the door to the WC was also hand-carved and tall, with a curved mini door cut out (children will love going through it, adults might want to open the larger door so they don’t have to crouch).
Each of Riad Due’s rooms is sized and decorated differently, but all have had each piece of furniture and decoration chosen with care by the Italian owner. There’s a mix of Moroccon tradition and funky modern colour, with features everyone wants in their hotel room.
The ceilings in the two suites are original, hand-carved wood. Two rooms have fireplaces. My suite has a bathtub built for two, and a separate rain and handheld shower. The suite next door has double rain showers, and a single bathtub. One of the second floor rooms has a large balcony overlooking the plunge pool in the centre of the courtyard.
On the roof, where guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast (in the courtyard in cooler weather), are spectacular views of the medina and several places to relax.
Riad Due (meaning two in Italian, pronounced “doo-ay”, not “dew”) has a nearby sister hotel with seven rooms, Riad 72. Dining at Riad Due is simpler and more traditional, while Riad 72’s La Table du Riad restaurant is elegant Moroccan (also open to the public). Chefs Habiba and Mustapha do wonderful things with local ingredients and bake the tagines (and the biscotti) is the communal medina oven.
From US$155 to 300, inclusive of breakfast
– Choose the scent of your handmade soap — orange blossom, musk, or, my favourite, verbena.
– A Nespresso machine in your room for the perfect espresso, whenever you’d like it.
– Bathtub built for two in my suite, and a copper beauty in another.
– The marble floors are a bit chilly, I would have liked to have slippers.
Designed with the Millennial customer in mind, this boutique hotel sacrifices ultra-luxury amenities for a more social and connected atmosphere. The entire property has free wi-fi, and the rooms have multiple plug options for travelers with various devices. Fun at this hotel starts in the lobby, where guests can enjoy a free pool table, open lounging, a 24-hour grab-and-go café, a unique bar that hides booze behind panels that spin around, a scrolling news ticker, and a relaxing fireplace. The lounge atmosphere continues into an outdoor space perfect for parties. The lobby also offers touch-screen kiosks that display local information and can access email, so guests are always in the know about area happenings.
The rooms themselves have comfortable platform beds and large windows, high ceilings, and urban-inspired modernist décor. The bathrooms are sleek and modern, with walk-in showers, oversized showerheads, and luxury spa bath amenities. Every room has a mini fridge and coffee and tea station. The gym and pool are a little small, but have what it takes to get the job done. Families with kids and with pets receive special gifts for their smaller companions.
Location is king at Aloft. The hotel is the only one in the area connected to MB Financial Park, a major entertainment district. Plus, O’Hare airport is nearby and the hotel offers a free shuttle, so it’s ideal for travelers overnighting on a layover. A short drive away, guests can find the convention center, a designer mall, and a sports arena and theater.
From US$158 per night
– Fun, communal spaces in the lobby.
– Walking distance to the MB Financial Park entertainment district.
– Free airport shuttle.
– Depending on where your room is, the lights from the mall across the highway might keep your room lit at nighttime.