What's going on at the Ikahani Hotelli?
Where I talk a little about myself and a lot about what greets me in the mornings.
Written by Iliana Julian
10/31/2024
Right now, I'm feeling pretty good. It's me, Iliana Julian, the autumn air, the taste of ice cream—and this hotel! The Hotel Ikahani, or Ikahani Hotelli in Finnish. We have plenty of visitors at the moment, especially from Estonia—a really nice group! They eat a lot, which is great as far as I'm concerned. I love cooking.
I’ve run the Hotel Ikahani for six years now. That’s right. Six years including the Corona period, which was challenging, but things are all better now. I wake in the morning a little tired if I’ve missed some sleep, which can happen, but I’m always excited about the coming day.
As I enter the hotel lobby, I’m greeted with a mix of daily tasks and new ideas to tackle. And I hope that each day goes even better than the day before. Ikaalinen is a great little town—peaceful and nice. I’ve grown quite a bit here, surrounded by trees and the market district.
After breakfast, a friend or a neighbor can drop in at any time, and we have coffee together.
The best part of it all is serving people. I love watching guests smile as they leave the hotel. Or seeing how I can help them while they’re here, sleeping comfortably.
Summer was a challenge. I encountered a few hiccups here and there, but this place means everything to me. It’s my first hotel—somewhere I do everything and connect with customers while tackling accommodation, maintenance, and meals.
And sometimes I get to smile at a friendly grandpa on his way to do his shopping.
Finns respond warmly to friendliness, to smiles in very endearing ways. I’ve found that people here love being greeted with a grin. Kindness is a universal language. And Finns are very honest, which I love.
Many of our visitors already know something about Cuba, its food, and its culture. Or they’ve seen Cuba in photos! I often get asked, “What’s Cuba like?” I always reply, “A Finnish person with blue eyes brought me here. We got married, and that’s why I’m here.”
And I love Finland as much as I love my country of origin.
Read more in What's Up at Ikahani Part Two !