Hotels full of history
The unique Hotel Rakuuna is located in the centre of Lappeenranta on the historic Rakuunamäki hill. Within a short walking distance, you will find the Lappeenranta Fortress, the harbour, and the scenic Rantaraitti trail that winds along the shores of Lake Saimaa. The history of Rakuunamäki dates back to the 1890s, when it served as the home of the Lappeenranta Dragoon Regiment. Today, former residences of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, as well as barracks buildings, a hospital, artillery depots, stables, and root cellars, have been carefully repurposed for new use.
The Lappeenranta Spa was established in 1870 around the clear natural springs of the city bay and initially operated as a summer spa for Russian aristocrats. Today, the historic building houses Hotel Lähde, together with the adults-only Day Spa Lähde. Located in Lappeenranta Harbour right by Lake Saimaa, the spa hotel offers a unique combination of history, wellbeing, and beautiful lakeside scenery. Both Hotel Lähde and Hotel Rakuuna are committed to the Greenreality partnership and to developing more environmentally friendly operations.
Responsibility in Action Across All Measures
The actions taken during the hotels’ Greenreality partnership have been highly impactful. The initial goals set at the beginning of the partnership have been achieved, and new targets have been introduced along the way. The hotels have already implemented a wide range of sustainable practices, including the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and laundry services, comprehensive waste sorting, and prioritising local and domestic products at breakfast. In addition to environmental responsibility, the hotels place strong emphasis on social and cultural sustainability while actively preserving historical heritage.
One of the most significant achievements was the extensive energy renovation carried out at Hotel Rakuuna in 2024, which included the installation of air-source heat pumps in guest rooms. The upgraded heating and cooling systems provide guests with more comfortable and personalised conditions while delivering substantial energy savings. The new ventilation system has also improved the monitoring and management of electricity and energy consumption at the hotel. At Boutique Hotel Lähde, an energy efficiency project was recently completed, featuring the recovery of waste heat generated by the spa and stored in the attic. In addition, sensor-operated showers have been installed to manage water consumption, and all guest rooms are equipped with room-specific, remote-controlled heating systems.
Sustainable Accommodation
Both hotels began the application process in 2025 with the goal of obtaining the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label and the Green Key certification. In March 2026, the Green Key jury awarded both Hotel Rakuuna and Hotel Lähde with Green Key certificates. The hotels remain committed to sustainable operations, with continuous monitoring of energy efficiency as part of ongoing learning and development. There are also plans to further improve the energy efficiency of Hotel Lähde.
