Hotelli Aalto

The way up to Hotel Aalto is long and windy. With one final sharp turn, we finally arrived at the lobby. The hotel team immediately sprang into action and helped to unload the luggage. As our group was big, we practically booked up all the 13 rooms. We were all housed in the main house, although there is a large suite on property but away from the main house. The hotel lobby is invites you to kick back and take a break. It has low ambient light, smooth jazz playing from a stereophile’s dreams. All drinks are already part of your room charge. Choose anything from whiskeys, wine, sake or softer drinks like uemeshu. Easy chairs in a comfy seating area invite conversations. The hotel has two marshes on site. Swap your shoes for boots supplied and trudge your way along cobblestone squares. For the adventurous, there are seats in the middle of the clear water marsh. This is an easy 15min walk. The hotel is 3 stories with lifts and stair case for access. If you stand near your room door, you can hear human traffic in the cavernous hallway. Suggest asking for a room further from stairs and lift. Rooms on the third floor also have high ceilings, and this was well received by the other occupants. Rooms The hotel is modeled after a Swedish lodge. Expect lots of light brown wood flooring and paneling, clean white bedsheets and thick fluffy blankets. Rooms are modern with western beds, table and chairs. We had a huge wardrobe, which also housed a safe. Safe key is on your room key chain. There’s also a tatami area with a flat screen TV, plus a small kitchenette with coffee machine. A bar fridge sits under the table, with bottles of juices, beer and cold tea and water. The bath room is separated from the toilet. Toilet has the usual warm toilet seats and backside plus bidet washing functions. The bath room has one sink, with a large surface area to put your toiletries. A basket sits on one end with hair dryer and plenty of amenities (toothbrush, wash cloth, shaving kit, etc). The huge walk in shower area comes stocked with bathing materials. There’s a good quality shower with good shower flow. WiFi can be received in the room. Note that the room and lobby uses a different WiFi network. The hotel has a restaurant where we had breakfast and dinner on both days. Food quality is superb. Breakfast is Japanese style buffet with a plate of fusion breakfast goodies on our table already. Dinner was also fusion food. We enjoyed our meals at the hotel. As guests have been known to kick back after dinner with drinks, the hotel serves a late supper to your room. In the “post box” of your room, a small box of two freshly made onigiri rice balls can be found. There’s a small onsen in the hotel. An enjoyable and relaxing stay at the Hotelli Aalto. Rooms were clean and well designed. The staff were on top of their game. The hotels amenities were superb and we enjoyed a good Yamazake while we chilled in the lobby. Highly recommended!