Break Sokos Hotel Bomba

We stayed at the hotel during our anniversary and also enjoyed the spa. While the spa is amazing by local standards, the hotel or service certainly was not. When making the reservation via phone, I told about me and my husband celebrating our 20th anniversary. The clerk seemed friendly but didn't really care, and when asking about the total price I was told a different sum (lower) than when I actually payed at the reception. This caused an unpleasant scene and confusion, no apologies or anything. The room was very basic (while the price was not), not many amenities since everything is nowadays "ecological". The cleanliness could have been better. What I did like about the room however was that there was a drying cabinet, very useful in these conditions! I was expecting a little something extra since the staff was aware about our anniversary, but no, nothing. A simple card with a few friendly words or something similar would have sufficed, but alas, this is Finland after all. The spa itself was beautiful, large enough and very nicely themed. The locker room was small and crowded, many ladies nearly slipping on the wet floor. Dangerous! I loved the saunas and enjoyed the many pools, too, especially the hot tubs outside overlooking the lake. The water could have been more warm, now it felt almost lukewarm during the freezing winter weather. The inside of the spa was carefully decorated, the lighting especially lovely- you can achieve so much with small touches like these. The floor was not slippery at all and material choices seemed appropriate all-around. This might just be our new favourite spa in Finland! While the hotel was a letdown, so was the breakfast- a little. So much variety, but very little to write to home about, your standard Finnish breakfast fare: everything is edible but lacks finesse. Like the tea; it was steeped for so long it became bitter and it was served without a saucer. Or that this is an area known for its breads and pastries and the only thing reminding the guests about it were dark brown, almost rock hard karjalanpiirakka. The service was on the same level as in the reception, except they didn't speak Finnish. Sigh. Well, at least the breakfast catered something for everybody, I spotted a lot of vegan and gluten-free options. Speaking about food, that is sadly something that all Sokos hotels struggle with and Bomba was no exception. We didn't feel like walking to the nearby restaurant in the harsh weather after a very long drive, so there were literally two options at this point: pay way too much for Italian-fusion chain restaurant food or hop back into your car and drive 10 minutes to the nearest gas station for some fast food. You guessed it- and the hamburger meal actually wasn't that bad for its price. So stock up on snacks and maybe even food (there is a kettle on your room) when visiting here. (While the hotel is worth three stars, the spa and surrounding nature easily four. Be aware that people of larger

Clear 3 star hotel due to issues in service. But first good things.. Hotel rooms are nice as well as other facilities. Spa is small but enjoyable. Then bads.. Spa does have issues in service like water drinking cups are off during busiest time a day, shower soaps are off and papers left by lazy people lay over in locker room. On spa service side nobody cares at the end. Same continues in room cleaning, cleaning between nights need to be ordered but they are so lazy that even toilets are not cleaned, see picture. If you have two floor room, upper floor is not cleaned even on several day stay. Reception is sometimes a chaos, they do not know how to use cash registers.. If you buy Spa ticket, drinks and something for hotel reservation at once, you need to go through three cash registers.. In overall, service and how things are organized and implemented in this hotel is worst ever among any Sokos hotel even if this is relax category hotel.. Something that Sokos management shall take actions. Nurmes is nice place and this is pretty much only hotel there so no competition in a sense but still improvement is needed if you want to have customers to stay also second time.

We spent some nice days at Bomba area with the family during the christmas holidays relaxing and enjoying the winter and snow. Our hotel room was nice and clean, the spa excellent. Also the hotel restaurant was cosy and service was friendly. The cross country skiing track starts directly from the hotel. There are also excellent activity and rental services provided by Wild Nordic, you can experience the winter wonderland on guided tours or make excursions on your own by renting a fatbike or snow mobile etc. But, why doesn’t the Hotel give any information on these services at the arrival? The guests have to find the activities alone. The receptionist did not say a word of the program services at check in, also in the hotel room we did not find any Information brochure. If you visit Bomba, you should go and find the Safarihouse, it is located only 150 m from the hotel on the way to the Bomba House and Carelian village. Have a good snowtime! We did it and will come again!