Hotel Aulanko, hotel in Hämeenlinna, Finland
Hotel Aulanko is a functionalist building from the 1930s set beside a quiet lake in Hämeenlinna. It features clean lines and practical design with large windows, open interior spaces, and materials like wood, glass tiles, and polished floors that blend simplicity with quality.
The hotel was completed in 1938 by architects Märta Blomstedt and Matti Lampén and was one of the first places in Finland designed to host large gatherings, conferences, and banquets. It reflects a period when Finland was building new structures to support tourism and leisure activities.
The hotel's name comes from the park and nature reserve where it stands, reflecting how the building and landscape are meant to work together. Visitors can see this connection through the open interior spaces and large windows that blur the line between inside and outside.
The hotel sits beside Lake Vanajavesi and the Aulanko nature park, offering easy access to activities like golf, cycling, and walking trails. Rooms come in various sizes with some featuring balconies overlooking the lake, and facilities include saunas, a spa, and dining areas with views of the surroundings.
The famous Aulanko Chair was designed specifically for the hotel's drawing room and later produced by furniture maker Artek, with only about 20 original pieces made with tubular steel frames. These simple, lightweight chairs with pine frames are now sought-after collector's items and represent Finland's design heritage.
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