Of course we would take some time to visit the idyllic Old Town in Porvoo. We had three days of luxury, history, and exploration of the Finnish archipelago ahead of us. It was gloriously sunny when Pauliina and I arrived at this majestic, bright pale blue manor. Next to the Hotel Haikko Manor we saw the Haikko Spa Hotel, a modern edifice housing with all the treatments that we were so looking forward to experiencing.
Inside the manor we were greeted by another friend, Elizabeth, in the historic Yellow Room , where we admired the original paintings by 19th century Finnish master, Albert Edelfelt. From there we moved on to the sunny Manor terrace, where we sipped our coffee and enjoyed the truly magnificent view out over the park and archipelago islands.
I checked in to the Haikko Manor, welcomed by a butler who kindly helped carry my bags to the Imperial Room, with chic golden drapes. Past them, my private balcony offered a fine view over the Manor park and the sea. Standing there in the warmth of the summer sun, it was easy to imagine the olden days, when nobility and servants would walk through this grassy parkland, past the fountains, and on to the seashore.
The spacious balcony was blessed by both morning and evening sunshine. Meanwhile my friend Pauliina settled in to the Haikko Spa Hotel , in a spacious Deluxe room , also with a sea view. The room was modern, yet elegant, and provided easy access to the adjacent Spa and Beauty centre, where we would enjoy the pampering treatments and the Anti-Age Clinic.
I changed into bathrobe and slippers, and headed to the Spa to meet my friends there. Elizabeth, who was joining us for the day, was particularly taken with the calming Finnish forest scenery reflecting from the big windows onto the water. Shortly after we were relaxing in a beautiful turquoise jacuzzi. Near the jacuzzi I discovered the cold well, a real treat for an enthusiastic ice-swimmer like me! The Spa also boasts plenty of options besides the traditional Finnish sauna: there was an infra-red sauna, a Turkish-styled steam bath, and my own personal favourite, the aroma sauna.
