Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Turku

The breakfast was the one bright spot. There was something for everyone, and even my vegan boyfriend was happy with the selection. The rest of our stay disappointed me, especially for the high price. Several lights didn’t work, and there was only one mirror I could see myself in, so I had to kneel by the toilet to do my special dinner makeup. The small magnifying mirror was broken and nearly fell to the floor when I tried to use it. My boyfriend paid extra for a room with a bathtub because he knows how much I love baths, but I barely felt comfortable enough to shower. There was mold along the edges. We complained about the issues and got only, “Oh, thank you for telling us.” They said they’d fix at least the lights that day, but nothing happened. They could have offered a discount and apology.

I was doing the The NC, Scotland 500 coastal challenge and stayed overnight. The bedroom was beautiful, the bathroom amazing, and the place was very clean and tidy, right by the beach. Having a microwave and fridge was handy, since we made a meal in the room that night. It’s a very pretty place, and I’d recommend staying a night, or you can wait or two.

Service was good, especially in the restaurants and from the cleaning staff. But they didn’t answer my emails for a week, and they also refused a discount code I’d received through my business for booking the room. The TV in the room didn’t work either.

The breakfast buffet really stood out, with a great selection and staff who were both friendly and efficient. I’ve stayed in five-star hotels that didn’t match it. Reception and the restaurant, Grill It, were excellent too. We spent a full week in a room that had everything you’d expect, though nothing beyond that for a four-star hotel. It came close to a five-star stay.