News

Estonia joined the Michelin Guide in May, and at an inauguration event in Tallinn Michelin appointed the first two Michelin-starred restaurants in Estonia – the Restaurant 180 Degrees in Tallinn’s new and trendy Noblesser district and the Restaurant NOA in the Pirita District.

Via Hansa & Borealis and its associate companies have always been a member of the Associations of Tour Operators and Travel Agencies in the countries where we are active. We consider these organizations to be very important which they also recently have demonstrated successfully convincing authorities in the countries to establish clear covid-19 regulations and support mechanisms for the travel industry.

The owners of the former Hotel Radisson Blu Sky in Tallinn have invested 25 Mill. EUR into a complete renovation of the hotel to make it the leading 5-star property in the city. May 1st saw the opening of the new Radisson Collection Hotel Tallinn. This luxury lifestyle hotel has a very appealing design and embraces local culture. Contemporary Estonian art, design and photography are on display throughout the hotel.

Estonian new cuisine has already won a strong reputation in the north of Europe for its high and innovative standards. As a result of this Estonia has signed an agreement with the French-founded Michelin Guide, the world’s most prestigious culinary guide, to include Estonia, and first Michelin-awarded Estonian restaurants will be announced on May 25th.

Via Hansa & Borealis is this week planting 15.000 fir trees in two areas of totally ca. 5 ha. around Vihula Manor in North Estonia to offset over 150 tons of CO2 emission annually. The planting is the start of the Vihula Manor Reforesting Project. Planting trees is a game changer in our efforts to stop climate change. It cannot stop the climate change alone, but reforesting the world can give an important contribution together with other important sustainable practices.

Estonia hosted the Biathlon World Cup March 6th – 13th in its “winter capital” of Otepää in Southeast Estonia, gathering the world's best biathletes and lots of fans. It is the first time Estonia has hosted the popular Biathlon World Cup - and according to the organizers, the sport teams and the fans, it has been a huge success. The happy and cheerful public gave strong motivation to the athletes.

The Kongres Magazine has for 2021 placed Tallinn first amongst the destinations which can host up to 2000 delegates. Tallinn has developed rapidly since Estonia regained freedom and independence in 1991.

Many hotels in Tallinn took the opportunity last year to begin renovating and rebranding. Now these hotels are opening their doors again, featuring fresh designs and new features: the legendary Palace hotel, now named Palace Hotel Tallinn, a member of Radisson Individuals, has re-opened its doors after a refurbishment.

Vihula Manor in North Estonia is developing a new reforesting project planting over 15.000 fir trees in two areas of totally ca. 5 ha. around the estate to offset over 150 tons of CO2 emission annually. Planting trees is a game changer in our efforts to stop climate change. It cannot stop the climate change alone, but reforesting the world can give an important contribution together with other important sustainable practices.

As of April 1st, the Hestia Hotel Group starts operating the historic Spa Hotel Laine in the Estonian resort town of Haapsalu under a new name: Hestia Hotel Haapsalu Spa. The spa hotel is currently undergoing renovation and apart from enlarging the number of guests rooms, the water and sauna area will increase almost twice.