Hotel Kämp - Helsinki, Finland
Posted by: 
Mikkozzz
N 60° 10.073 E 024° 56.834
35V E 386094 N 6671878
The legendary Hotel Kämp was built in 1880s and at the turn of century it was the centre of social and cultural life in Helsinki. The hotel was renovated in 1960s, but hotel business started again only in 1999.
Waymark Code: WM8C4J
Location: Finland
Date Posted: 03/10/2010
Views: 140
Architect Theodor Höijer planned Hotel Kämp in 1880s in Neo-Renaissance style. When Hotel was opened in 1887 it was unprecedented luxurious and quickly became the centrepiece of bourgeois social life. Particularly famous customers were composers Jean Sibelius, Robert Kajanus and Armas Järnefelt, painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela, poet Eino Leino and writer Juhani Aho. Their (often alcohol fuelled) gatherings at Kämp restaurant were a source of several inspirations.
Finland adopted prohibition in 1919 which undoubtedly contributed to downhill of hotel. During Winter War and Continuation War foreign correspondents usually stayed in Kämp. Hotel business came to an end when the building went through extensive renovations in 1960s. For 30 years it served as a bank headquarters.
The Hotel was reopened in 1999 in its previous glamour and is today considered the most magnificent hotel in Scandinavia.
Detailed history of Hotel Kämp