Art and Enchantment: The Hidden Helsinki Haven Where Dragons Meet Design
Stepping into Helsinki’s Hotel St. George feels like discovering a secret world where art meets comfort in the most unexpected ways!
The Wintergarden captured my heart immediately. Imagine sipping your morning coffee in what feels like a painting come to life…a glass-roofed courtyard inspired by the grand conservatories of 18th and 20th century nobility. The sophisticated colour palette, lush greenery, and thoughtfully curated art transform this space into the hotel’s true living room, where both guests and locals gather.
I found myself drawn to the three intimate “Nooks” tucked within this grand space – the Poetry Room, Dining Room, and Wine Room. Each is a small chamber designed with individual character for meetings or special celebrations. What struck me most was how the hand-painted wallpapers captured the serene beauty of resting nature, while a brass bird sculpture played with shadows from the glass ceiling above. The Wintergarden Bar at St. George, with its menu of rich, dimensional flavours, quickly became my favourite spot to unwind between hectic sprints in Helsinki to discover the city.
But the most unexpected delight awaited me at the entrance lobby, a huge, magnificent dragon soaring overhead! This is Tianwu, a mythical creature from Chinese folklore created by renowned artist Ai Weiwei. Made using traditional kite-making techniques by master craftsman Wong Yong Xun, this silk and bamboo marvel simultaneously feels technically impressive yet charmingly simple.
“Anyone can make a kite,” Ai once said about this piece, which was originally part of his Er Xi, Air de Jeux installation shown in Paris. Now suspended in Hotel St. George, this creature from stories dating back to the 4th century BCE adds a touch of wonder to every arrival and departure.
Helsinki itself is a vibrant hub of art and design, with museums, galleries, and architectural wonders at every turn. It is a perfect complement to St. George’s artistic sensibilities. I found the hotel ideally situated as both a beginning and end point for my Finnish adventures, offering sophisticated urban comfort before venturing north to experience Lapland’s magical northern lights, or a welcoming return to civilization after wilderness exploration.
What I discovered at Hotel St. George wasn’t just accommodation, but a conversation between past and present, art and comfort, that made my Helsinki stay unforgettable.
