Sokos Hotel Torni

History

Sokos Hotel Torni is one of the oldest hotels in Helsinki. When it was opened in 1931, everything was new and modern in this state-of-the-art hotel - Sokos Hotel Torni was a symbol for a new and better life.

The Torni kitchen rapidly became the centre of culinary life in Helsinki. The latest delicacies and innovation in food preparation were introduced first in the hotel's restaurants.

The hotel has seen colourful times with war, international diplomacy, prominent guests and traditional hotel culture. Royalty, statesmen, businessmen, writers and artists alike have enjoyed their stay in Sokos Hotel Torni. Sokos Hotel Torni has seen guests such as president Hoover of USA, Swedish Prince Bertil, as well as luminaries of the Finnish literary and arts scene such as Mika Waltari, F.E. Sillanpää.

During the Second World War, Sokos Hotel Torni was first occupied by international journalists. Many coutries, Great Britain, in particular, discovered the possibilities of Sokos Hotel Torni as a centre for espionage.

After the war, in 1944, the entire hotel was taken over by the Russian delegation of the Allied Control Commission. After the final departure of the Russians in 1947, the so-called Knights of Torni tradition was established. Garbed in festive attire, the Knights still gather annually at the hotel.

After the Control Commission left, the Torni kitchen flourished again and new experiments were made. Developments, however, started to slow down in the 1960s and the building was beginning to decay. In 1972 Sokos Hotel Torni was rented to HOK. The hotel and the kitchen have been renovated a few times since then. The most recent renewal was completed in 2006. Each modernisation has been carried out with careful regard to the history and original style of the hotel and its standing as a pioneer.

There is no longer any Control Commission or espionage in the hotel, but people still make important decisions in Sokos Hotel Torni and the Restaurant Torni is keeping up its high gastronomic standard. Above all, Sokos Hotel Torni is a live classic with a unique athmosphere.