Hotelli Rakuuna

We chose to break our return journey from Juva via Savonlinna at Lapeenranta. We weren’t sure what to expect but liked the look of this hotel, which is part of a former military barracks on the edge of the city. The outside of the hotel has an institutional look to it but the interior has been tastefully decorated and the rooms are very pleasant. Each room is named after a person who was stationed at the barracks and there’s a little bio about them on the desk. Room was a good size with individually controlled air conditioning and, wonder of wonders, a window that opened. Bed was large and linen was pristine. The bathroom is modern but I was surprised that there was shower curtain rather than shower screen, given the pricing of the hotel. Excellent blackout curtains that are needed in summer where there is daylight almost 24hrs a day. The building is solid. Very solid. This means that it’s well soundproofed from outside noise and in the halls. The second floor has a ‘relaxation area’ which is like a common room where there’s a fridge for you to leave cold items, kettle, ice machine, coffee maker tables chairs, a wide screen TV etc. They also have a separate play room for kids. On the third floor is a recreation area with small pool table, air hockey etc. Everything is in perfect condition. Breakfast is in the breakfast room on the ground floor. People have complained that the breakfast is ‘not that great’ but coming from a country where breakfast is *never* included, a breakfast of cereal & bread, cheese & ham, yoghurt & pastries, coffee and juice is a real treat. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the centre of town and if you want a leg stretch, the fort area is within walking distance. Parking is free but it is more than a bit tricky to get to the hotel, particularly with the current road works being done. Siri (Apple) led us to the address but the road is blocked by permanent bollards. Google Maps was better, getting us inside the barracks area but not to the hotel. We left the car, walked across the barracks to ask for instructions and then returned to get the car. The hotel may benefit from putting a map with clear instructions on their website to get to the hotel and park.

The picturesque surroundings of the old garrisons provide plenty of free parking space. Spaceous corridors and high vaulted rooms named after the Mannerheim cross knights bring back some of the old nostage from days gone by. Everything is newly renovated. Rooms have air conditioning which can be adjusted. And it really works. Beds were a pleasure to sleep in. All in all the best hotel we have visited for a long time.

We stayed for a week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Friendly staff, spacious, clean, quiet and well-equipped rooms (wonderful bed!), decent breakfast. We were impressed by the amenities the hotel offered: bike rental, great sauna, communal kitchen, children's room and fitness/playing room. One of the best hotels I've ever stayed at.

Abbiamo soggiornato due giorni in questo hotel e ci siamo trovate davvero bene...Se dovessimo tornare a Lappeenranta sicuramente sceglieremo ancora l'Hotel Rakuuna! L'albergo è situato in una zona tranquilla e verde di Lappeenranta e vicino al centro. La nostra stanza era ben pulita e insonorizzata. Lo staff è stato gentile e disponibile. L'hotel offre una colazione ricca e variegata con prodotti da forno tipici e opzioni dolci, salate e senza glutine. È a disposizione degli ospiti una sala da pranzo comune con bollitore, microonde, tostapane, frigorifero, lavabo e alcune stoviglie, per potersi cucinare qualcosa di veloce da mangiare. Nei giorni in cui abbiamo soggiornato all'hotel la zona sauna era aperta la mattina. Questa zona dispone di vasca idromassaggio, sauna e bagno turco, con bagni e spogliatoi all'ingresso. All'ultimo piano è presente una sala comune con: ping pong, freccette, biliardino, alcune attrezzature da palestra, puzzles e libri, per potersi rilassare in compagnia. L'hotel dispone anche di una stanza giochi per bimbi. Su richiesta, è possibile anche noleggiare bici a pagamento dall'hotel (€10 per la giornata intera).