ABOUT US
The story of Hotel & Café Mathildedal dates back to 2003, when Tuula and Harri Gustafsson began developing the Mathildedal ironworks area into a cultural tourism destination. Founded in 2010, this family-run business now offers accommodations, café services, and meeting and event spaces in a historic setting.
The Mathildedal Ironworks have evolved into a vibrant tourist destination that combines high-quality services, a sense of community, and a lifestyle close to nature.
The Company’s Story
Tuula and Harri Gustafsson purchased the old ironworks site in 2003. Tuula had a vision of Mathildedal as a cultural tourism destination, and together they began developing the area in line with her vision.
In 2010, Tuula and Harri’s daughter Krista founded a company in the area with the vision of serving tourists visiting the region, and thus Ruukkimatkailu Oy, or Hotel & Café Mathildedal, was born.
Café Mathildedal and conference services were Ruukkimatkailu’s main offerings for the first couple of years. Hotel Mathildedal opened in the spring of 2013.
Today, Mathildedal Ironworks is a popular attraction, home to several shops and a restaurant in addition to Krista’s Hotel & Café Mathildedal.
Both Mathildedal Ironworks and Hotel & Café Mathildedal are family-run businesses whose values emphasize community, nature, and a passion for what they do.
Mathildedal isn’t just a job—it’s a way of life.
Sustainability
Energy
Hotel & Café Mathildedal is heated using geothermal energy.
We strive to reduce electricity consumption by turning off all unnecessary appliances and lights.
Recycling & Circular Economy
Recycling is important to us. We properly recycle cardboard, glass, bottles, cans, and metals.
We embrace the circular economy in various ways; for example, the café’s interior is entirely designed using repurposed furniture.
Ingredients
We use as many local ingredients as possible in our dishes. Salo is one of Finland’s largest agricultural producers, so there is an abundance of local ingredients available in the surrounding area.
Well-being
The well-being of both our staff and our customers is particularly important to us.
Some of our staff are seasonal workers and young people, so it is especially important to us that they enjoy their work and that their work is respected. We also take our employees’ wishes into account and train each employee for their specific tasks. At the end of the summer season, we celebrate a well-being day together.
Environment
Mathildedal Ironworks is an example of the circular economy in action, as the old factory buildings have been converted for new use—namely, tourism.
Additionally, the area is nestled in a natural setting, and preserving nature and its diversity is important to us. That is why we allow nature to grow freely without unnecessary pruning. We also guide tourists heading to Teijo National Park on how to behave appropriately in the midst of this sensitive natural environment.
Sustainability Certification
Hotel & Café Mathildedal has been awarded the Good Travel Seal Silver-level sustainability certification.
The certification is recognition of our sustainability efforts and encourages us to continue developing our sustainability work.
You can read our sustainability report here: