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Healthy in Helsinki

A weekend of wellness at Hotel St. George

Article by Amelia Pavlik

Photography by Images by provided by Hotel St. George and Amelia Pavlik

Originally published in Missoula Valley Lifestyle

Massage bliss. Those were the words running through my mind as my therapist, Carol, kneaded the gold-infused oil into my tight muscles. I was in the midst of my 110-minute Holistic Luxury Treatment at Hotel St. George Care, and felt like I was in Helsinki heaven.

I was in the Finnish city for a few days before heading to London and had selected the St. George as my home away from home. The hotel is part of the Kämp Collection and is known for being a luxury wellness property.

The Location. Location is everything. That’s what my godmother once taught me about booking hotels. And the St. George doesn’t disappoint in this category. The hotel is situated in the heart of Helsinki, so the harbor and other historical sights are within walking distance. Plus, Helsinki’s central train station is only a 10-minute walk away. The airport, however, is a small journey from the hotel. For this self indulgent trip I decided to take advantage of hiring a private car with help from the hotel for my arrival. The peace and quiet it provided as I laid eyes on Helsinki for the first time was worth every penny.

The Rooms. Staying in the attic might be considered a punishment under most circumstances. But, at the St. George, it’s a pleasure. My Sky Attic Studio was a little slice of hotel heaven with a window seat view of the rooftops of Helsinki and the changing fall leaves in the Old Church Park. I spent most evenings sitting on my little stool in front of the window, sipping a glass of wine and watching the sunset. There were other joys such as the mini bar, which was appointed with healthy options like a ginger-lemon shot, Kombucha tea, and raw cashews. Then, there were the on-demand workout programs offered on the TV, the rainforest shower head, and the sweet-smelling L:A Bruket full-size bottles of products like body wash and lotion. Lastly, there was the cloud-like bed that I slept on each night. Speaking of sleep, the St. George offers a sleep evaluation called the Emfit QS. I opted to take advantage of the service (it’s basically a device you barely notice that’s attached to your bed) and learned about things like how much REM sleep I got during my stay and how much I tossed and turned on a given night. 

The Spa. Body scrub, massage, facial, scalp massage. Ah. That about sums up the Holistic Luxury Treatment that I enjoyed in the spa area of St. George Care. This Finnish gem offers a steam room and sauna, a pool for swimming laps, and a relaxation room stocked with tea and snacks like fruit and nuts. When it was time for my treatment, my therapist escorted me to the treatment room and explained what was to come. Of course, the spa offers a variety of individual treatments, but I have to say that the multi-treatment option was exquisite. First, I received a much-needed body scrub with exfoliating gloves, followed by a sugar scrub. After rinsing off I enjoyed a full-body massage with that beautiful oil that I mentioned, which was followed by a customized facial and scalp massage. By the end, every bit of stress I’d accumulated from hopping the pond seemed to have melted away.   

The Food. From the house-made yogurt and muesli with melon that I enjoyed from the breakfast buffet to roasted eggplant in a yogurt sauce, the beautiful food options offered at the St. George will not disappoint your taste buds. Now, for me, enjoying good food and drink in moderation makes me happy, and happiness is key to my wellness plan. So, when I indulged in dinner at the hotel’s dining concept, Andrea (known for its Anatolian dishes that incorporate Finnish ingredients), I decided to strike a balance between healthy and indulgent with an order of tastes including green lentil hummus with bread, the eggplant, grilled reindeer heart, and kohlrabi fritters with yogurt sauce—all paired with mouth-watering Turkish and French wines. Breakfast, which is also served in the Andrea space is also full of fresh and delicious choices. As part of the buffet, you can enjoy carafes of fresh juice (I opted for the mixed berry), meats, cheeses, fresh breads, frittatas, sausages, and more. Or, if you’d prefer a simple pastry and a cappuccino, the St. George is also home to a more casual bakery concept. It’s the perfect way to end a fit and well Finnish day. 

Let's Get Away

Hotel St. George 

+358 9 4246 00 11

StGeorgeHelsinki.com

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