Scandic Aulanko in Hameenlinna

Rooms were cold, TV showed less channels than normal, lights did not work properly in the sauna. Had to order more food during dinner, since portions were so small. I wished I would just stayed at home.

Disappointing Stay Despite Good Location – Needs Immediate Improvements

We stayed at Scandic Aulanko during the Wanaja Festival and had high expectations for our visit, especially given that we had booked a Superior room with a sauna (room 401). Unfortunately, the experience was below expectations in several key areas.

Firstly, the shower in our room only provided cold or barely warm water. Hotel maintenance did come to inspect the issue and acknowledged the problem, stating they would try to get a plumber. However, the issue was never resolved, and we were not updated at any point. At check-out, the matter was simply apologized for, but no gesture of goodwill or compensation was offered – which felt dismissive considering the inconvenience.

The room itself was dated and lacked air conditioning, which was surprising for a Superior category room. Luckily, the weather was not too hot during our stay, but this could have been a major issue during warmer days.

Secondly, the breakfast experience was unpleasant due to small birds (sparrows) flying freely inside the restaurant, landing on tables, eating food from the buffet, and even defecating on furniture. Several guests pointed this out to the staff, but they seemed unaware of the hygiene concerns this posed. This is clearly not a one-time issue, as the birds appeared to be very familiar with the space.

We appreciate that the hotel is in a scenic location and has potential, but our experience suggests that both maintenance and hygiene standards require serious attention. With proper follow-up and proactive service recovery, the stay could have been salvaged – but as it stands, we left disappointed.