Iconic Viru Hotel turns 50 

Photo Viru Hotel

The Viru Hotel, which opened in 1972, is celebrating its 50th birthday. The hotel has long symbolized tourism in Estonia, especially for Finns. “In addition to being the first skyscraper in Estonia, Viru Hotel was also a sign of Western culture and expanding tourism opportunities,” explained hotel manager Sari Sopanen.

During the Soviet era, Viru Hotel was Tallinn’s tourism center, where virtually all tourists from abroad stayed overnight. Millions of guests have stayed at the hotel during its colourful history. Perhaps the best known of them are Elisabeth Taylor, Neil Armstrong and Alla Pugacheva. The hotel was also used for spying and espionage. After the KGB left the building in 1991, a secret listening room was found on the 23rd floor of the hotel.

In normal years, the Viru Hotel accommodates up to a quarter of a million guests. Throughout its history, the hotel has been especially popular with Finnish tourists. The share of Finns in the hotel is on average well over 60 per cent.

After a difficult period during the pandemic, tourism has picked up this spring. It is also clearly visible in the occupancy rate of the Viru Hotel. In April, the hotel’s turnover had returned to almost pre-pandemic levels. “At the moment, it seems that the summer of Viru’s anniversary year will be excellent compared to the previous couple of years,” says Sari Sopanen.

Viru Hotel’s birthdays are always celebrated in May, although the official opening of the hotel was celebrated on June 14, 1972. The hotel is also still the largest in Estonia, with 516 rooms.

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