The Story of Hotel Seurahuone – In the Heart of Kokkola Since 1894
Hotel Seurahuone is not just part of Kokkola’s cityscape – it’s part of its history. For over 130 years, this grand building has stood watch over the town square, welcoming travelers and hosting gatherings, celebrations, and sometimes even moments of quiet remembrance.
Seurahuone was built in 1894, during a time of great change: the railway had just arrived in Kokkola, bringing with it a wave of new energy. Originally a three-story building, it featured 13 guest rooms, several dining rooms, a billiard hall, and a cellar restaurant. Its clientele included traveling salesmen and members of the upper class, and women were rarely seen in the restaurant halls.
When prohibition began in 1919, the hotel served what locals called “strong tea” – a mix of spirits, tea, and sugar. These drinks were discreetly enjoyed from coffee cups and milk jugs, and black-market portions passed quietly from hand to hand in private rooms. Thanks to its “good relations” with the authorities, even the inspectors sometimes found themselves at the table—lingering so long they forgot to inspect.
Despite wartime rationing and hardship, Seurahuone was expanded in 1943 into a six-story building. It became the tallest in town, with banquet halls, apartments, and additional hotel rooms added to the upper floors. The lower levels continued to serve both workers and businessmen alike. Seurahuone truly became a house for the whole town.
A new era began in the 1970s, when the building was purchased by Liisa Uusi-Honko, known as the Iron Lady. She renovated the space, introduced the city’s first women-only dance nights, and later even brought in a disco. Seurahuone became a centre of nightlife, yet still retained its charm and dignity.
Over the decades, the hotel has seen highs and lows – recessions, renovations, and shifting customer needs. Owners have changed, but Seurahuone has never closed its doors.Today, the hotel is led by Anne Katajalaakso, who has managed it for over twenty years. Under her guidance, Seurahuone has remained true to its roots: recognizable, welcoming, and full of stories. Each room carries a bit of the past. Each corner has something to tell.
Elsi – The Hotel’s Own Ghost
Many guests have heard of her. Some say they’ve even seen a glimpse.
Elsi was a maid in the early 1900s who fell deeply in love with the hotel’s owner. But their forbidden love could not survive the social boundaries of the time. Her heartbreak gave birth to a legend – one that still lingers in the halls of Seurahuone.
Today, Elsi is a part of the hotel’s unique atmosphere. Guests report flickering lights, elevators that move on their own, or coffee makers that start without reason. Some hear footsteps in empty corridors.
She even has her own room – a mysterious chamber with a balcony where Elsi is said to feel at home. Though her sorrow stayed within the walls, Elsi is not a frightening presence. She’s a quiet, gentle soul – a reminder that old buildings hold stories time can’t erase.
Seurahuone Today
Today, Hotel Seurahuone is still alive and full of warmth – a hotel that honors its history while looking boldly to the future. With cozy rooms, personal charm, and heartfelt service, it offers a unique stay for both locals and travelers from all over the world.It’s more than a hotel. It’s a part of Kokkola.
And with every visit, a new story begins.