SpaHotel Hamina

The rooms were tidy and comfortable, with a large south-facing window and a quiet, calm feel. The location was also ideal, close to the old centre. We were disappointed by the so-called spa. SpaHotel Hamina gave us the impression there would be its own pool area, and sold us €10 tickets for the “Spa area” when we arrived. It turned out to be a public swimming hall reached by a little bridge from the hotel. Students could have paid €4 at the hall itself, so we felt misled. It was packed, with queues for the showers, no room for us in the sauna, and kids shouting and running about. That wasn’t the spa visit we thought we were paying for. When we raised the confusing advertising with staff, they didn’t seem to understand and we left feeling mocked.

The town is lovely, small and maritime, with nice people, and the hotel is well located for walking around. But the room my mum, my dogs and I stayed in was really old and stuffy, with no air conditioning. Breakfast was okay. It was also a downside that access to the spa swimming hall wasn’t included in the room price.

The town itself is a peaceful, beautiful maritime place with friendly people, and the service at the hotel was good. Our room seemed to be one of the original older ones, though they do have newer rooms, and the view was okay. It would’ve been nice if there had been dog dishes in the room, or if someone had asked whether we needed anything for the dogs. If you book here, say what kind of room you’d like, such as a quiet one, and ask about air conditioning if you need it. The spa and swimming hall costs €10 extra and isn’t part of the room price.

I had a very pleasant stay. The facilities were clean and decent, though a bit pricey for what you get. The decor feels dated, and the pool and spa are shared with the whole town. Breakfast was a very basic buffet.