Coming from San Francisco, I'm used to the Weekend Warrior lifestyle: you work hard M-F, you hop in…read morethe Zip Car or Prius for a weekend trip to Tomales, Yosemite, or Sonoma/Napa. I really miss that here in Helsinki, where our own Summer/Vacation home is located about 2 hours away in the middle of the forest and most "weekend getaways" require one to sell a body part on the black market to rent a car for three days. It is literally cheaper to fly my entire family to Berlin for three days.
Not so any longer! All hail Långvik: new go-to for a quick trip (30 minute drive, 50e cab ride, or accessible by train then cab). Being from Northern California, I enjoy a variety of sports and outdoors activities that aren't exclusively hiking in the mud. Långvik offers SUP, bike rental, a beach volleyball court, tennis courts, and some beautiful nature trails. Coming from SF, I enjoy a pampering spa experience as well. Also readily available at Långvik. I was able to SUP three times on the most placid bay I've seen in a long time, take some amazing spa treatments (the relaxation mud massage thing is exactly that), chill in the jacuzzis with my baby (not that baby - the real one...he's 1.5) in one arm and a glass of bubbly in the other. Swimming laps is easy in their enormous lap pool.
Dining is where they fall short. The complimentary breakfast is 5 stars (Don't skip it!!! It is amazing), bars are 4 stars, dinner is 3 stars max. Just not really good. Overcooked meat, under seasoned food, and very tiny vegetarian entree portions (if the meal is truly vegetarian AND gluten/pasta/legume free, you need to give the poor starving soul more than a few fried lentil fritters over a miniscule bed of quinoa). I could have eaten 4 servings and while I have an extremely healthy appetite, one serving wouldn't fill up my toddler.
The rooms are fantastic - just push the beds together. They'll give you a crib for your kid (or your husband depending on who behaves worse) and a training potty tool, even if you don't ask for it. There's a kitchen in each room, making it super easy to bring and store your own organic homemade meals for your child. They'll make you a half-portion of any dish on the menu for your child but mine prefers to eat his own thing. Much like a boy scout, I come prepared (and have 12-year-old boy hips to boot).
The hotel overall is lovely. So many options. We went with two other families (If you told me I'd say that three years ago I would have laughed and then nervously vomited), with a total of three boys under a year and a half. You read that correctly and I lived to write this review. Gold star! We all had a good time: some of us just making good use of the spa, my family making good use of all the resort had to offer (their gym is great for a good morning workout), and service is good.
Just go here - whether it's for a romantic getaway or a family staycation from Helsinki. I will be back. Best SUP spot in the area and best spa treatment I've had in a long time.