– We are proud that this region is getting its luxurious and stunning hotel and event venue, says the General Manager Kaija-Riitta Uusitalo.
– The Sirkkala park and its festivals next to the hotel bring their own touch to the whole venue. The area also offers a variety of events, Uumen wellness services offered by our partners and close-by national parks.
The conference spaces in Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, restaurant Bistro Heili and 60 new Superior rooms as well as our Suite opened on the 15th of September. Our Sirkkala ballroom and small glass cabinets are finished in October. Nightclub Las Palmas moved from the market place of Joensuu to downstairs of Kimmel.
Kimmel – centre stage for events for over 40 years
Hotel Kimmel named after the sparkle of the water in the close-by river Pielisjoki was opened in April 1977. In those times Finns travelled to the South, business lunches were long and events were extravagant. Kimmel also became a centre stage for events: it had samba carnivals and concerts which were known in the entire region. The ballrooms were used for parties at the end of bear hunting season, annual parties and gold metal parties. Guests from entertainment stars to presidents found their way to Kimmel. President Kekkonen's favorite meal at Kimmel was pork chops which quickly made its way to the menu as a statement dish.
A modern event house
Now Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel is opening its doors for new stylish events. Kimmel's new conference spaces (8 psc) transform into various different forms and some of the windows overlook river Pielisjoki.
–The biggest strength of Kimmel is its location in the centre of the city and the closeness of the North Karelian nature, says the architect Jaakko Puro from Puroplan & Jaakko Puro Oy from Helsinki who is behind the interior and architectual planning.
– I wanted to involve nature in the designs as much as possible. This shows in the materials used in the hotel such as soapstone, leather and wood and having as much light in the spaces as possible.
The innovative light choices with multiple design lights bring a sense of luxury to the whole house. The eye catching ball-like light in the hotel lobby is designed by Van Roon. Some of the wall lights are designed by Puro and the painting behind the front-office desk is painted by him.
The sky is the limit when it comes to the events organised in Kimmel. That is also shown in the new creative meeting space Urho with its ceiling full of stars. Kimmel is perfect for meetings, parties, seminars, family dinners as well as for car shows. The new Sirkkala ballroom fits 400 people and has stunning river views. Sirkkala opens in October, just in time for the pre-Christmas party season.
The hotel's stylish new restaurant Bistro Heili opened on the 16th of September. The masters of Bistro serve classical bistro dishes with fresh ingredients according to the season. The drink menu includes quality wines, beers from Honkavuori brewery, drinks from Arctic Blue Gin and alcohol free sparkling drinks from Kontiomehu.
Suites and Superior rooms for party guests and staycations
The renovations brought 60 new Superior rooms, some with a sauna. The top floor has a massice 70 sq m Suite with a balcony and a sauna and a theme room called Havina. The new rooms have strong but cosy colours which exude the North Karelian identity and bring warmth to the interiors. The stylish rooms are the cherries on top of the cakes to enable a full experience for our event guests or a relaxing experience for staycations or wedding nights.
– The renovation enable that Kimmel becomes one of the most significant event houses in Finland and becomes a popular business trip and staycation destination. We strongly enforce experiences, locality, nature and hospitable service - just the things that a traveller values, says the Tourism and Sales Director Tiina Kanninen.
For more information:
Kaija-Riitta Uusitalo, General Manager, Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel,
Tiina Kanninen, Sales and Tourism Director, North Karelian Cooperative,
Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel is the leading event and meeting hotel in Sirkkala park, Joensuu right next to river Pielisjoki. The hotel has 237 rooms, Bistro Heili, night club Las Palmas, Sirkkala ballroom and 12 meeting spaces. The hotel is fully renovated during 2021. The new hotel exudes modern-day Karelian luxury with its versatile meeting spaces and stylish rooms. The hotel is operated by North Karelian Cooperative.
Instagram and Facebook @originalsokoshotelkimmel
FACTS
Renovated Original Sokos Hotel Kimmel, Joensuu
237 rooms from which
60 Superior rooms, from which 7 with their own saunas
2 Junior Suites with hot tubs
70 sq m Suite with its own balcony, river and park views and a sauna
Theme room Havina with a balcony and a nature theme
Restaurants:
Bistro Heili with a bar, open every day from lunch to late evening
Evening restaurant Las Palmas, open Fri and Sat from 9pm to 4am.
Star artists, such as Neljä Ruusua, Suvi Teräsniska, Kotiteollisuus and Erika Vikman
Meeting and event spaces:
400 people Sirkkala ballroom
8 adabtable meeting spaces (10-600 people), opportunity to have car shows by opening the side wall
4 glass cabinets for small meetings
Sauna and pool department, renovated in 2021–2022
Used in the renovations
4100 sq m floor tiles
2500 sq m parquet floors and 2400 sq m fitted carpet
refurbished 176 old bathrooms
restored 176 room numbering plates
323 man-years
19 million euros
12 months
Renovations were done using local companies and craftsmen:
Building planning: Insinööritoimisto Kantelinen Oy, Joensuu
HVAC-Planning: Granlund Joensuu Oy
Building contractors: Rakennustoimisto Eero Reijonen Oy, Liperi, Rakennusliike Kar.T.O.Oy, Joensuu, Saneeraus- ja maalaustyö Purmonen Oy, Ilomantsi
HVAC-contractors: LVI-Bioneerit Oy, Kitee, Lämpökarelia Oy, Joensuu, Are Oy / Joensuun
toimipiste
Electrical contractors: Sähköasennus Kuronen Oy, Joensuu, Sähkö Saarelainen Oy, Joensuu,
Karelian Sähkö Oy, Joensuu
Safety contractor: BLC Turva Oy, Joensuun toimipiste
Automation: Schneider Electric Oy / Joensuun toimipiste
Windows: Karelia Ikkuna Oy, Joensuu
In addition to these a number of other operators have been involved in different stages of the renovation project.
Interior and architectual planning: Puroplan & Jaakko Puro Oy
