city tips of HELSINKI
This is Sofi´s tips on what to do when in Helsinki! Sofi is working at our hotel Scandic Paasi in Helsinki, Finland.
For the best coffee break in town I would go to Cafe Piritta. It’s a beautiful cafeteria just a short walk from the hotel located on a wonderful lake-side. I would take my old friend to Seurasaari island (open air museum) or the Fortress island to enjoy the spectacular views and nature.
To update my wardrobe, I would shop Finnish design like beautiful shoes from Minna Parikka or beautiful dresses at Marimekko.
Our library at the Scandic Paasi reception is the most lovely and comfortable place in the hotel because of its many collection of old and historical items from our Siltasaari-area and amusing ambience. There you can find the former painters shoes that was found during the instruction and a message the constructors have left us from the 50th century. There's many interesting pieces - a touch of magic!
CITY TIPS OF TAMPERE
We asked Kaisa working at Scandic Rosendahl in Tampere, Finland to give her personal views of the city.
You have to visit the market hall of Tampere! While drinking a cup of coffee and eating your delicious bun at Aniittas, you can enjoy the atmosphere of the market hall. If an old friend of mine were visiting and we haven´t met for many years I would go to the historic Finlayson area. There's a free museum called Werstas - The Finnish Labour Museum. After that we can take a walk through the park Koskipuisto, which is beautiful at any time of year. In the end we can have a glass of wine, eat some game-meatballs and play board games at the Gastropub Nordic. Shopping? I love Second Hand shops. One of my favorite is Lumindo Life in the city centre of Tampere.
I like many things about my hotel, it may be a detail, a view, a secret about the house, the location or something that is special, the staff of Scandic Rosendahl, they are like family to me! That´s why I like to visit my colleagues on my day off. I also like the typical Finnish surrounding: Scandic Rosendahl in the middle of a forest, near the lake, but only 20 minutes from the city centre by foot.
CITY TIPS OF GOTHENBURG
We asked Jens working at Scandic Rubinen in Gothenburg, Sweden, to give his personal tips of things to do when visiting the city.
For the best coffee break I would go to Da Matteo at Magasinsgatan, a local roastery at a sunny location. In the spring & summertime we would take the boat out to the archipelago, perfect for a long time no see-friends on visits. You need to refresh the wardrobe a bit, well, Vallgatan 12 is the only shop you need - the latest fashion brands together with great service. What I like the most about Scandic Rubinen is the roof top bar with a stunning view over Gothenburg. Maybe together with a glass of champagne?
CITY TIPS OF COPENHAGEN PART i
We asked Johanna at Scandic Front to give some personal tips for Copenhagen, Denmark!
Welcome to the city of cool. By coincidence, I stumbled upon Cousins, a newly opened and super cozy café just a stone's throw away from Norreport. I love everything healthy, ecological and vegetarian so this café is just perfect for me. The coffee taste amazing! Besides, you can buy everything you see at cousin.dk.
For long time no see-friends I would take you for a Sunday walk at Christiania along the water front looking at all the houses and enjoy a car free calm zone. Finally end the strolling with a lunch at Papirøen, the best hang out on a Sunday. You’ll find food trucks from all corners of the world.
Since I´m not a fan of a shop marathon, I would recommend Magasin Du Nord, everything at one place. Food, fashion, cosmetics and shoes. Scandic Front is located by the water, and during the summer you can enjoy an amazing view over "Kyssetrappen" a spot where you can grab a bite to eat, have a glass of wine or listen to some Friday jazz. Our neighbour The Swedish Embassy, is great for me when I get a bit of home sickness..."
CITY TIPS OF COPENHAGEN PART II
This time we asked Sofie working at Scandic Copenhagen in Denmark, to give her personal tips of things not to be missed!
There are multiple cozy coffee & cake places in Copenhagen, but you can’t say cake in Copenhagen, without mentioning La Glace. It's one of the oldest pastry shops in Copenhagen, and has quite a fabulous reputation. And no wonder! Their cakes are AMAZING! Only downside, it tends to be a bit of queuing outside. Less formal is Mad & Kaffe, meaning “Food & Coffee”, which is located close to our hotel. Here you can enjoy a good cup of coffee, breakfast or lunch and something for the sweet tooth. They also serve Danish “smørrebrød”, which of course is a must when you visit Denmark.
For a long time no see-friend, I would take you to Christiania, preferably on a sunny summer day, and we would sit on the hilltop overlooking the lake and enjoy an organic lunch from their local restaurant “grøntsagen”. Christiania is many things. On the walk to or from Christiania, you will also pass by Our Savior’s Church which has the most beautiful twisted spire that is also open for the public. The view is gorgeous from up there! The Christianshavn area with the cozy canals.
To refresh my wardrobe a bit I recommend Strøget which is known as the main shopping street in Copenhagen, but not necessarily where you find the most interesting shops. The small, more local shops, are at Nørrebro or the sidestreets to Strøget. If you’re looking to empty your wallet and re-create your favorite scene from “Pretty Woman ”the “end” of Strøget which leads to Kongens Nytorv is the place to go!
My favourite thing about Scandic Copenhagen is the diversity in our hotel which is amazing! We have staff members from all over the world all with different unique backgrounds, stories and personalities. And I often have guests asking me: “The tower I can see from my room, what is that? Can I visit?” or “What’s on the other side of the water?" which is Sweden so the view is great!
CITY TIPS OF STOCKHOLM
We asked Stefan working at Scandic Anglais in Stockholm, Sweden, to give his personal tips of things to do when visiting the city.
If you wish to have a romantic and old fashioned café for an impressive coffee break I would go to Sturekatten. Café Saturnus on Eriksbergsgatan 6, is a French café famous for the huuugh cinnamon buns! Café Vurma on Birger Jarlsgatan 31 is cozy with home made pastries.
For a long time no see-friend, we would go to Operabaren, a hidden and more anonymous restaurant in the Opera house. And also Östermalms saluhall called by the locals for “Hallen” is a great tips. During the summertime a piqniq in the park “Humlan” Humlegårdsparken is super and located in the heart of the city.
To refresh my wardrobe a bit, I would go to Jupiter on Norrlandsgatan for men’s wear, Ströms, a classic shop for both men and women, in Sturegallerian – the mini mall – you can find most things you need for a nice evening or the day after…
Oh, what I like the most about Scandic Anglais are many things. Our history from the first hotel to the second one built in the 60’s. Our bar/bar’s where the first opened for the public in the 70’s and still people come in and ask for the piano bar and the casino – wich says was hidden behind a curtain. Until the 80’s the square in front of the hotel was the end station for the tram Lidingöbanan and a bus terminal for buses out from the city. A lot of people popped by our restaurant and bar before they went home. Maybe we invented “AW”? What you probably don´t know is that our eight floor is a security floor which we can close the whole floor and rent it out for a president, king or other VIP’s. In the garage there is also a gated parking space. You can rent the garage for parties, fairs, meetings and a lot more, it’s just the imagination and walls that can stop the solutions.
