Airliner hotel opens in Uurainen, Finland, attracting visitors with unique accommodations

Summer serves as a time for exploration for many, and a unique way to experience something new is through unconventional accommodations. Last year, Finland recorded nearly 23 million overnight stays in its various lodging options, with hotels comprising about 80% of this figure.

In Uurainen, an innovative airliner hotel has drawn attention. The story began in the fall of 2022 when five entrepreneurs purchased a decommissioned aircraft via an online auction. “It quickly became clear that this could transform into something truly special,” said entrepreneur Mandi Moisio. The planning was particularly challenging as there were no ready-made examples to follow.

The airplane sat on a hill for almost a year before construction began, which wrapped up six months later. The transformation included guest accommodations and a sauna, along with two additional buildings. Unique elements, such as the sauna and bathroom located in the rear of the passenger aircraft, required custom solutions.

The appeal of the airplane hotel has attracted a variety of visitors, including aviation enthusiasts who have followed its renovation on social media. The first summer of operation has seen healthy bookings, with some guests being former crew members of the aircraft expressing interest in staying.

Other unusual accommodations in Finland include train carriages from the 1940s turned into lodging at a hotel in Tuuri, and a converted former transformer tower on Kuninkaansaari island, where stays have been available for four summers. Additionally, there are options for those looking for the extraordinary, such as spending the night in former prison cells in Turku and Helsinki, or staying in a quirky hammock hotel in Tohmajärvi.