Hotel Korpikartano’s location could not be more idyllic, it sits in the middle of a vast wilderness in North East Finland, perfectly nestled on the shores of Lake Menesjarvi and just on the border of the Lemmonjoki National Park (the largest in Finland). The lack of light pollution and the views afforded from the frozen lake in winter, make this one of the most incredible Aurora viewing destinations.

Hotel Korpikartano was originally a boarding school for those growing up in this remote part of the world and is, therefore, full of quirks, character and simple charm. This is not somewhere for those looking for luxury, but for those who wish for an escape from the everyday, in a wild and wonderful location, at a hotel which offers the warmest of welcomes – there is nowhere better.

The hotel is made up of two main buildings. The first houses the dining room and a number of bedrooms. The separate annexe building (a very short walk away) houses the majority of the guest accommodation.

The hotel, the people you will meet and the scenery here, are sure to provide you with the most memorable of experiences and will stay long in the heart after you return home.

Hotel facilities

·        Traditional home cooking is the order of the day in the hotel’s dining room. The food can be described as simple, tasty and hearty and is very much designed to fuel you up for your outdoor adventures. In many cases, the evening’s set menu will contain local ingredients such as fresh fish that one of the staff has caught, berries which have been foraged, or meat purchased from the local reindeer herders. The set meals are all self-service. Breakfast is a buffet of breads, meat, cheese and fish with the addition of porridge and fruit. Lunch and evening meals start with a salad and bread, a set main and then a pudding which is often a local speciality. Please let us know at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements so these can be accommodated.

·        You can also purchase a range of wine, beer and spirits to accompany your meal.

·        Obviously, saunas are a pre-requisite in these parts and there are two, one in each building. They can each be booked privately by guests each day in hour long slots.

·        There is an outdoor wood-burning sauna and rustic hot tub. Should you request the use of the outdoor sauna (a local charge will apply), don’t forget that a dip in the lake (in autumn) or a roll in the snow (in winter) is almost obligatory (as long as you are in a good physical condition).

·        The simple lounge (near the reception) provides tea and coffee making facilities. Consider this to be the perfect spot to relax by the stove with a book but remember to keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights as the windows face north!

·        There is free Wi-Fi for guests to use throughout both buildings and there is a PC available at reception.

·        Books and games are also available to borrow from reception.

·        If you are travelling in the winter then the hotel offers free use of snowshoes, cross-country skis, kick sleds and toboggans so there is also something for those who love the great outdoors and want to explore independently between activities. There are marked trails across the stunning frozen lake and maps are available at reception.

·        If you want to send a memento home, then there are postcards available to purchase and some local Aurora photography for sale.

·        There is a lakeside Kota (wooden tepee) which is open for all guests during the evening. Here you can light a fire and warm up in between forays out onto the lake in search of the Northern Lights.