Sustainable stay at Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Hämeenlinna

Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Hämeenlinna has been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label by Visit Finland, indicating its commitment to economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. The hotel’s sustainability begins with its breakfast, which includes locally produced ingredients. Through careful menu planning, innovative use of resources, and timely ordering, the hotel minimizes food waste.

The hotel has monitored water consumption for several years, with water flow in the rooms regulated to avoid unnecessary usage while ensuring guest comfort. Additionally, items such as mattresses that are no longer suitable for hotel use but remain in good condition are donated to charities. The hotel also prioritizes the well-being of its employees, offering a safe working environment, comprehensive occupational health services, first aid and safety training, and exercise and well-being benefits through ePassi.

“Developing the sustainability of our hotel is an ongoing priority for us. We want our guests to see sustainability in action when staying at our hotel,” says Jani Aaltonen, Hotel Manager at Vaakuna Hämeenlinna.

“An important aspect of the STF label is social and cultural sustainability. The Galleria Vanaja art gallery, run by local artist Päivi Lartama, opened in our hotel in March. We’ve also made sure that our hotel staff have excellent knowledge of the local area, attractions and activities, which they are happy to share with our guests,” Aaltonen continues.

Aaltonen mentions that today’s hotel guests value sustainability and choose where to stay based on the alignment of the hotel’s practices with their own values. Vaakuna Hämeenlinna has already had the Green Key international environmental certificate.

“Sustainability is a natural and integral part of all our activities. We are delighted to receive the STF label in addition to the Green Key. It motivates us to continue and improve our sustainability work,” says Aaltonen.

The upcoming renovation of Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Hämeenlinna is going to support the hotel’s sustainability goals. This includes optimizing the building’s ventilation and lighting systems for maximum energy efficiency.

The Sustainable Travel Finland label, along with its development program, seeks to promote sustainable tourism in Finland, facilitate coordinated marketing of Finland as a sustainable tourism destination, and simplify visitors’ decision-making process when choosing services. Companies and sites that receive the STF label undergo regular auditions to ensure their adherence to the principles of environmental, social, cultural, and economic sustainability in their operations.

“Sustainability is about taking practical action. Renewable energy sources, efficient recycling, ecological practices, favouring local food, minimising food waste, saving water and electricity and working with local producers are some of the standard practices of a sustainable operator. In addition to environmental aspects, sustainable tourism also takes into account social and cultural wellbeing. This is reflected, for example, in respect for local culture, accessible services and investment in the wellbeing of employees,” says Virpi Aittokoski, a sustainable tourism expert at Visit Finland, which is part of Business Finland.

Discover also our region’s sustainability efforts and other sustainable destinations in our Sustainable Travel page.