Good, affordable design hotels are thick on the ground in Helsinki, but Klaus K is one of the best-conceived and executed in all the Nordic countries. A Finnish theme runs through the hotel, from reindeer skins in the bedrooms to a (very good) bar and nightclub themed around the Finnish mytholological epic (Kalevala). Best of all though is Ilmatar restaurant, which showcases the best of local and regional Finnish food in creatively modern dishes; breakfasts are quite sublime.

Doubles from about $380, www.klauskhotel.com.