When most people think of Estonia, Tallinn usually steals the spotlight.
For me, however, my first visit to Estonia took me somewhere completely different: the charming seaside town of Pärnu.
I visited in late February while attending an invite-only conference held at the historic Rannahotell (hotels.com, booking.com, expedia). Although I didn’t have the chance to explore Pärnu as extensively as I would have liked, spending several days at one of Estonia’s most iconic hotels gave me a wonderful introduction to the country and plenty of reasons to come back.
If you’re considering staying at Rannahotell, here’s what my experience was like.
Getting To Pärnu From Tallinn Airport
I flew from London to Helsinki with Finnair before connecting onto a small regional propeller aircraft for the short flight onward. The second flight was one of those classic little puddle-jumper planes where overhead luggage space was almost nonexistent, so my cabin bag ended up sitting between my seatmate and me for the journey. It certainly made for a memorable start to the trip!
From the airport, it was roughly a two-hour drive across Estonia to Pärnu. I rented an SUV with Avis at the airport and it was super easy to pick-up and get out of the airport.
The drive itself was easy, and before long we arrived at Rannahotell, overlooking the frozen Baltic coastline.
A Hotel With Nearly A Century Of History
One of the things that immediately drew me to Rannahotell was its history.
The hotel first opened in 1937 and quickly became one of Estonia’s premier seaside hotels, attracting visitors from across Europe. Designed in the Functionalist architectural style, the building was inspired by the sleek lines of an ocean liner, which explains its distinctive appearance overlooking Pärnu Beach.
Like much of Europe, its story changed dramatically during the Second World War. The building was used by the German military before later becoming a sanatorium for many decades. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that extensive renovations restored the property as the luxury hotel visitors enjoy today.
Knowing that history gave the hotel an extra sense of character that you don’t often find in newer properties.
My Room At Rannahotell
I stayed in a twin room overlooking Pärnu Beach.
Although I was sharing with a friend who arrived later, the room never felt cramped. The beds were comfortable, and I particularly appreciated the Scandinavian-style mattress toppers, which struck a nice balance between supportive and cozy.
The view was undoubtedly the highlight.
Even in winter, looking out across the snow-covered beach and frozen sea was incredibly peaceful. I could only imagine how spectacular the same view would be during the summer months when Pärnu transforms into Estonia’s favorite beach destination.
The room also included:
- Complimentary still and sparkling water
- Coffee and tea-making facilities
- Bathrobes and slippers
- A stocked minibar
- Reliable Wi-Fi
- A spacious work desk
- Plenty of storage for a longer stay
As someone who had to squeeze in a few work calls during the conference, I was pleased with both the Wi-Fi and the workspace. It made balancing work and travel very easy.
Bathroom & Amenities
The bathroom was modern, clean, and thoughtfully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and hand soap.
While the shower itself was fairly simple, everything was impeccably maintained. I also appreciated small touches like the heated towel rail and the hotel’s environmentally friendly approach to towel reuse.
Breakfast
Breakfast was included with my stay, and it quickly became one of my favorite parts of each morning.
Everything I tried throughout my stay—from breakfast through dinner—was consistently excellent. I admittedly didn’t capture many photos of the food, but it’s something I genuinely remember about the hotel.
Starting the day with coffee while looking out over the snowy coastline certainly wasn’t a bad way to wake up.
Ice Fishing On The Frozen Baltic Sea
One unexpected highlight of my trip wasn’t actually inside the hotel at all.
Through the conference, I had the opportunity to try ice fishing on the frozen Baltic Sea, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of the entire visit.
Wrapped in layer upon layer of winter clothing, our local guides explained how they measure the thickness of the ice before drilling fishing holes and introducing us to the basics of traditional ice fishing. Standing on a frozen sea felt surreal, and while I can’t honestly say I discovered a hidden talent for fishing, it was an experience I’ll never forget.
If you’re visiting Pärnu in winter, I’d absolutely recommend looking into similar experiences.
Facilities
Although my schedule was packed with conference sessions, I did learn that Rannahotell also offers a spa and sauna, both of which fit perfectly with Pärnu’s reputation as one of Estonia’s premier wellness destinations.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough free time to experience them properly, which gives me another reason to return.
Final Thoughts
I arrived in Pärnu expecting a conference, but left wishing I had planned a longer stay.
Rannahotell combines genuine history, a beautiful beachfront setting, comfortable rooms, excellent food, and warm hospitality into a hotel that feels both elegant and relaxed.
Would I stay here again? Absolutely.
Next time, though, I’d love to visit during the summer, when the beach comes alive and I can spend more time exploring everything Pärnu has to offer beyond the hotel itself.
If you’re looking for a historic hotel with plenty of character and one of the best locations in Pärnu, I don’t think you can go wrong with Rannahotell.
For more information on the Rannahotell and to book or check room prices, please visit their website or hotels.com, booking.com, expedia.
Want to see more of my trip? Watch my YouTube video below:
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Jessica Gioglio founded the travel and lifestyle blog, The SavvyBostonian and is the co-author of The Laws of Brand Storytelling and The Power of Visual Storytelling. Professionally, Jessica has led innovative marketing and public relations programs for Dunkin’, TripAdvisor, Sprinklr, and more. Today, Jessica is a keynote speaker on brand storytelling (book her here) and founder of With Savvy Media & Marketing, a strategic branding, storytelling, and content strategy consultancy.
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