Yyteri owners maintain empty hotel as renovation plans remain unclear

Yle reports that the Yyteri recreation hotel in Pori has been empty since March last year, with no clear timetable for its future. Its owners say they are keeping the building in working order while plans for a major renovation remain uncertain.

The hotel, near the beach and sand dunes, closed unexpectedly. Its website still carries an announcement from about a year and a half ago saying the refurbished hotel was expected to open in summer 2026.

Owner Mikko Haaslahti declined an interview but told Yle in a WhatsApp message that the owners intend to maintain the buildings. He said they are in similar condition to before the closure and need basic renovation, but are not beyond repair. Water, electricity and ventilation remain on, he said.

Diana Råman, a building engineer and chief executive of RKL, which represents construction foremen and engineers, said leaving a building empty does not put it at risk if it is managed properly. She was speaking generally and did not comment on the Yyteri hotel specifically.

Råman said buildings left unused can develop moisture problems, pipes can freeze and building systems can deteriorate. Existing structural damage, she added, can worsen over time. A year-round building should not be left unheated for long periods or without controlled ventilation.

The hotel’s seaside location may accelerate deterioration because of the damp, salty air. Råman warned that delays can increase damage and repair costs, potentially making repairs economically unviable.