HI Finland selects a rural hostel in Central Finland as its Hostel of the Year

Vaihelan Tila has been awarded the title of Hostel of the Year 2015 by HI Finland. The hostel, with its surrounding farm, is located in the village of Pappinen, in Joutsa. The owners of Vaihelan Tila, Birgitta and Juha Ruohtula, offer a diverse package of services giving travellers a genuine experience of life in the Finnish countryside. The farm has offered accommodation to travellers for five decades.

It continues to be active in forestry and arable farming, along with a mixture of animals from cats to wild boars. The farm buildings include a small farm museum with a display of historical agricultural items. A wood-heated sauna welcomes guests in the hostel grounds. A smoke sauna is also available on reservation, offering a different flavour of the Finnish sauna culture. The smoke sauna is located on the lakeshore, a short walk from the hostel. There is also a jetty for swimming. Swimming is possible even in winter – if you are brave enough to take a dip in a hole in the ice!

Birgitta enjoys her work in the hostel: “My work is so varied; every day is different. I get to meet people from all over the world. And the best thing is that the same guests keep coming back again and again.”

In the heart of Finnish Lakeland

Joutsa is a small rural town that offers travellers an unhurried experience and lots of local culture. Birgitta has her own favourite pastimes in Joutsa: “When I do my shopping in summer, I sometimes like to sit down in the market café to enjoy a cup of coffee. I visit the craft centre in the Taito Shop to get ideas and admire their colourful yarns. They often have exhibitions as well. The library in the town centre is a nice place to visit.”

For tourists, Birgitta further recommends Leivonmäki National Park, Haihatus Art Centre, and several local craft boutiques, such as Design Pylsy and Pikkupuoti. Joutsa also offers lots of opportunities for recreation, such as horse riding and motor sports.

Hostel Vaihelan Tila wants to offer a quality hostel experience

The Ruohtulas cultivate a high-quality customer experience by developing their hostel activities and participating in HI Finland’s trips to hostels in other countries to pick up new ideas. This year, the Ruohtulas will begin work on implementing Hostelling International’s HI Quality system. Their hostel offers accommodation for 14 people in rooms with 1-4 beds.

Every year, HI Finland awards a commendable hostel the title of Hostel of the Year. The selection criteria for this year’s award called for an active role in the development of activities along with positive customer feedback. The title has been awarded since 2004; Last year, the recipient was Laivahostel Borea in Turku.

Turku’s Hostel Borea is the Hostel of the Year 2014

Hostelling International (HI) Finland has named Turku’s Hostel Borea as its Hostel of the Year for 2014. The hostel ship, opened in 2011 by Turku Touring, is moored on the west bank of the River Aurajoki near Turku Castle and the Forum Marinum Maritime Centre.

‘The staff at Hostel Borea have demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment and successfully developed the hostel’s services and facilities. The hostel has also been an active member of Finland’s HI hostel network,’ explains HI Finland’s Secretary General Aki Tuominen.

The positive feedback given by guests and the unique atmosphere of Hostel Borea, located on the historic museum ship S/S Bore that was built in 1960, were also among the aspects that impressed the jury. In 2013, Hostel Borea received the HI-Quality certificate, awarded by Hostelling International. The certificate shows customers and partners that the hostel meets strict quality standards.

Hostel Borea is Finland’s largest hostel. It has 265 beds in 130 cabins. The ship also has a lunch restaurant, café, and function room that is available for hire. The conference facilities on board are suitable for groups of 6–100 people.

Hostelling International Finland has chosen a Hostel of the Year since 2004. The award was established to recognise hostels that offer exceptional services and facilities. The winner is chosen by HI Finland’s board of directors. This year, the jury put a lot of emphasis on the initiative and vision of hostel managers and staff.

Pori has one of the liveliest local culture scenes in Finland

Pori, on Finland’s west coast, has the charm of an old industrial city. The city’s port has always been a major employer, and that hasn’t changed. However, Pori is famous today for its summertime jazz festival, the venues of which are found all over the city.

River Kokemäenjoki runs through Pori.
Picture: VisitFinland Media Bank/Matti Kolho.

This is only one example showing that Pori is much more than smokestacks and old red-brick factory buildings. The river running through the city dominates the cityscape and also provides the setting for the charming Kirjurinluoto park. Pori’s attractions also include the Yyteri beach with its rolling sand dunes, just outside the city centre. In summer, the six-kilometre beach attracts locals and tourists alike.

And near Yyteri is the district of Reposaari, with its nostalgic wooden houses. This was one of Finland’s key ports in the days when majestic sailing ships plied the seas in the 17th to 19th century. Though those ships are no more, Reposaari remains an important outer harbour. Reposaari also is home to a recently restored complex of trenches and dugouts from the Second World War.

Yyteri Beach attracts lots of visitors during sunny summer days.
Picture: Visit Finland Media Bank

Coffee and music

The streets of downtown Pori host many charming cafés. On the edge of the market square is the Sarpi bakery with its sea-buckthorn cakes, a speciality of Pori – sea buckthorn grows only on the coast. The Sarpi bakery café remains true to old traditions, with its sales staff wearing traditional bonnets and aprons.

Try this yourself next to these statues at Pori's Market Square.

In summertime, the terrace of Café Jazz is a lovely spot to catch the day’s last rays of sunlight, and Café Jazz is one of the key venues for events at the jazz festival.

Restaurant Kirjakauppa (‘Bookstore’), on Antinkatu street, has a down-to-earth atmosphere, lovely décor, and – on many days of the week – live music. Another good spot for live performances is Monttu (or ‘The Pit’), a small but legendary club that is well known on the band scene. Other live-music venues include Vaakuna and Amarillo. Concerts are occasionally held also in Valimo Hall. Kulttuurikulma (‘Culture Corner’), just off the market square, hosts many, diverse cultural events, including music and theatre performances.

A footbridge to the Kirjurinluoto Park from central Pori.

And the Pori Museum of Arts, located on the riverfront a little below City Hall, is always worth a visit. The backbone of the museum’s attraction for visitors is formed by a private collection that is supported by changing seasonal exhibitions. In the autumn, the city hosts the Pori International Puppetry Festival, with puppet shows that are great for all ages.

Hostel River – a home away from home

Only 10 minutes from the market square and a few hundred metres from the river lies a yellow wooden building that will bid you welcome: Hostel River. The renovated and tastefully decorated first-floor lobby defines the style and the atmosphere of the entire hostel: stylishly decorated but true to the history of the building, which dates back to the 1930s.

The hostel’s interior decoration is spiced with details in 1950s Nordic style. The building housed a large office from the 1950s to the 1970s – a piece of history that is still tangible in small details reminding us of the spirit of that time.

Hostel River welcomes you to stay
in Pori at address: Karjapiha 2

Hostel River was chosen as Hostel of the Year 2013 in Finland. Read more about Hostel River in a previous blog post; what makes Hostel River a special place.

How to get to Pori?

By train: From Helsinki (via Tampere) approximately 3 hours. From Tampere 1 hour 30 minutes.www.vr.fi
By bus: From Helsinki 4 hours. From Tampere 2 hours. From Turku 2 hours. www.matkahuolto.fi,  www.onnibus.fi 

Pori’s Hostel River is Hostel of the Year 2013

New player recognised in the accommodation field.

Hostel River of Pori, Finland, has convinced both customers and the executive board of Hostelling International Finland of its excellence as a hostel. The national hostel association nominated Hostel River as Hostel of the Year 2013. Pori is an industrial city on Finland’s western coast and known as a lively centre of culture.

Hostel River’s proprietor, Sirkka-Liisa Peni, opened the business near downtown Pori a little under two years ago in a wooden building dating back to the 1930s. The hostel was already a very functional whole when it opened, but it is the owner’s continuous work to develop it further that has impressed the association.

The hostel’s operations have been refined continuously, and Sirkka-Liisa’s partner, Kalevi Mäkinen, has renovated the premises, making it possible to extend the facilities gradually. The interior decoration of the hostel matches the spirit and history of the old building perfectly.

Hostel River has rooms with up to four beds.

In addition to the premises and that decoration, the hostel has been applauded for its enthusiastic customer service. Customers thank the owner for the hospitality and for home-like premises that always feel welcoming. In addition to travellers, Hostel River caters to the locals by providing facilities for hobbies, meetings, and celebrations.

Sirkka-Liisa and Kalevi were awarded at Finnish Hostel Managers' Meeting in Helsinki in January.

Hostelling International Finland wishes to thank Sirkka-Liisa and Kalevi for their efforts to maintain the genuine spirit of hostel culture. The couple decided to shape their business into a hostel after the owner’s son returned from an InterRail trip telling stories of Europe’s hostels. Sirkka-Liisa was immediately fascinated by the idea of a relaxed, free-form accommodation service. Her ideas crystallised into their final form on an excursion to Central Europe during which the enterprising couple stayed in hostels and collected ideas and inspiration that helped to develop Hostel River into what it is now.

Check out Hostel River website on www.hostelriver.fi.

Address:
Karjapiha 2, 28100 Pori, Finland
info(at)hostelriver.fi
Tel.: +358 2 534 0500
The hostel is open throughout the year. Weekdays from 7a.m. till 5p.m., other times on request.

Lapland is the home of Hostel of the Year 2012 in Finland

Hostelling International Finland has selected Visatupa, in the southern Sodankyla in Lapland, as Hostel of the Year 2012. Visatupa, which primarily functions as a dairy farm, has provided accommodation to tourists and travellers for over 30 years.

‘The fact that the majority of hostels are found in cities and tourist centres today makes us all the more pleased to have excellent countryside destinations such as Visatupa still in our network,’ says Hostelling International Finland Secretary General Ari J. Aalto. The association wishes to thank Visatupa for its long-term efforts to promote countryside tourism in Lapland, its active work on the local level, and its comprehensive range of services backed by a network of local businesses. Many regular customers visiting from Central Europe and even from Japan praise Visatupa’s ability to provide unforgettable experiences.

Visatupa is a family enterprise headed by Janne Sammalkangas. Three generations of the Sammalkangas family live on the farm: Janne, with his wife; their two toddlers; and Janne’s parents, the ones who started the accommodation business. The new generation stepped in a few years ago when Vilho and Milka Sammalkangas, the original proprietors, handed the business down to their son.

Janne Sammalkangas accepted the award at the Finnish Hostel Managers' Meeting in Helsinki

Visatupa provides its guests with a full experience of Finland that even many native Finns may not yet have encountered. In addition to nature, one of Visatupa’s greatest charms is its excellent food. Janne describes it as ‘simple home food’, but having reindeer, venison roast, or salmon and perhaps some home-made cheese for lunch is far from the regular Finnish fare. Picking berries in the woods is another tasty experience.

For years, Visatupa’s customers have praised the peaceful and cosy atmosphere, the proximity to nature, and the delicious food. Many of them, however, find that the most memorable experience has been the warm and friendly welcome given to them by the Sammalkangas family.