noplasticshowers

Helsinki is an interesting place to visit—somehow both cosmopolitan and provincial at the same time. The best time to come to town is in August, and lo and behold…it is August!

The brand new Hotel Fabian is an upscale, hip hotel near the beautiful green park in the center of town. Like all of the buildings in Helsinki (and most of the neighborhoods) the architecture is post-industrial square with clean lines. The hotel design reminds me of the Morgans in New York. Something out of the ’90s, monochromatic with various different browns.

I was in room 407, which is a rather uninspired room with a slightly generic feel to it. Somehow not quite enough light. Even the Restoration Hardware inspired Hollywood light wasn’t enough. The chair says it all.

Hotel Fabian must shop at Restoration Hardware.

The shower is huge and very nice with excellent controls and plenty of hot water situated nicely in a large comfortable bathroom with plenty of working surfaces. Great design. Given Helsinki winters, I can see why an infinite supply of hot water is a major plus.

Mirrors in the mirror.

The shower has plenty of room and lots of hot water.

Breakfast at the Fabian is functional and very much in the spirit of Scandinavia. If you like cold cuts and cheese, this is the breakfast for you. No grapefruit juice.

All in all, the Fabian is worth a stay and it is by far the best place I have found in my four visits to the city. I’ll give it a four showerheads rating.

Mixology bonus. My friend Antti, who made this trip a complete blast, took us to the A21 Cocktail Lounge after an inspired dinner on the wharf. Excellent mixology, really interested and engaging bartenders. About the only thing they are missing is a collection of Amaros. (Sadly, that means no Liberals for you.) We tried a number of concoctions during our visit, and had a great time.

Some Sea Kayaking rounded out the visit to Helsinki perfectly. Antti’s kayaking club is named “well hung”…really…you couldn’t make that up.

The Baltic sea is a nice place to paddle.

The fractal mix of industrial and natural found in Helsinki.