Our credo
A modern hotel with a story
Hotel Katajanokka is a privately owned lifestyle hotel, renovated with loving care into the historic premises of former Helsinki county prison. Inside the red brick walls you will find a magic world of contrasts – with serene comfort, stylish design and a hint of Nordic luxury.
A prison of Hearts
To us, Hotel Katajanokka is more than a hotel and a workplace. It’s a way of life. Our attentive and caring service comes from the heart. We are here for you, eager to please, and dedicated to making your stay perfect. We refuse to take any shortcuts to sacrifice guest satisfaction.
Our values
Escape the ordinary
The ordinary is out there. We’d like to think of our hotel as a world with a different set of rules. An ideal world. In that world the groundlaying values are Love, Peace, Liberty and Privilege.
Love
Love defines us. We are in this business because we are people, who sincerely love people. Our passion is make you feel our heartfelt hospitality. We have no customers, only guests.
Peace
It’s controversial that a social space, such as a hotel, would be a haven of peace. However, that’s exactly what we strive for. To make you feel at home. Privacy, intimacy and peace are our goals.
Liberty
Every guest is an individual, so we have no manual on how to serve individuals. We want you to feel free to be who you are, and will serve you accordingly. We are here to make you happy.
Privilege
We are humbled and privileged that you have chosen us as your hotel. We are proud for who we are, and what we do. So we feel privileged to do everything to help you feel privileged.
Our history in brief
A modern hotel with a story.
The oldest part of Hotel Katajanokka dates back to 1837 and the main part to 1888. The building originally served as a county prison and pre-trial detention centre. The prison was closed in 2002.
Following extensive restoration work, a high-quality modern hotel opened its doors in May 2007. The open central corridor, red brick outer walls and the high perimeter wall around the park are protected by the National Board of Antiquities and remain as a reminder of the building’s long and colorful history. In early 2017, the hotel underwent a light refurbishment and an extensive interior decoration. The result is a modern lifestyle hotel with stylish décor and exceptional service, set in a historic prison atmosphere.