Why ebook?
Because why wouldn’t you? There are few locations that ship a really exhilarating and distinctive escape whereas ticking off critical bucket-list credentials with ease, and concurrently disconnecting us from on a regular basis life. The title suggests it’s all in regards to the reindeer right here – admittedly, they’re pleasant – however the actual draw is the uncooked and untouched great thing about the distant setting and the pulse-quickening experiences that include it. And the very actual probability of witnessing an aurora ripple throughout the sky is a particularly persuasive cause to go.
Set the scene
High up in distant Finnish Lapland, Reindeer Manor is situated about 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle’s invisible border. The air is barely sharper right here and the solar bends low throughout the forested taiga panorama, creating the well-known eerie “Nordic glow”.
Take a home flight from Helsinki to Kittala, then drive quarter-hour alongside the Kittilantie Route, previous frozen rivers and lakes, by means of huge pine and spruce forests, timber bent ahead, weighed down by heavy snow, till you attain the picturesque ski resort city of Levi, and simply past that, you’ll discover Reindeer Manor.
Visiting in late January, and with daylight restricted to about 4 hours, we arrive in full darkness, silhouettes of buildings and adjoining strolling paths outlined by strands of soppy fairy lighting. It’s snowing evenly and all dwellings and timber are wrapped in puffy white pillows. Arriving right here appears like being flung right into a hyperreal model of everybody’s favorite winter wonderland fantasy. My first impression after leaving the automotive is a bodily one: I expertise the weird sensation of getting the tiny hairs in my nostrils freeze strong. But the chilly air is crisp, and taking a breath is invigorating, like being hooked as much as pure oxygen.
The snow crunches beneath my ft as I make my approach in the direction of the manor, the place a heat and alluring glow radiates from the home windows. Once inside, a Finnish greeting awaits within the form of a glass of heat spiced glögi, and piparkakut – deliciously skinny and crisp gingerbread biscuits, spiced with ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom – served by a roaring log fireplace.
We meet our pretty host, Milla, who explains the property, exhibits us round after which delivers us to our glass-roofed Aurora igloo cabin – however not earlier than kitting us out with full Arctic gear (thermals swimsuit, boots and gloves), which is ours during the keep.
The resort has been developed instantly on and across the historic web site of the traditional Lonnakko village settlement, with newer constructions rigorously woven among the many authentic timber homes, somewhat than imposed over them. These historic barns and retailer buildings, a few of which date again to the late 1700s, have in some way escaped being become museum reveals. Rather, they proceed to play an integral half in each day life right here, simply subtly modified for the current.
The visitors are a mixture of {couples} and households, all ages, all drawn north. We met a younger German household, their curious son virtually bursting with pleasure on the sight of the resident reindeer casually strolling previous; members of a Swedish household group on an intergenerational vacation; and some younger {couples} from Norway and Austria. They all come right here for the remoteness, for the prospect to seek out one thing uncommon: a mixture of journey and calm, and the potential of an aurora overhead.
Reindeer Manor is open from mid-October to April, and with solely 10 igloo suites, a wow-factor setting and a level of pleasure, enjoyable and care that feels really bespoke, it has all of the makings of a vacation spot folks return to yr after yr.
The backstory
The story begins with Lapland native and former skilled snowmobile racing driver Janne Honkanen. Having had his promising skilled profession lower dramatically quick after a critical crash in 1999, he began a snowmobile faculty for kids. Among the primary to reimagine Finland, and the broader Nordics, as a vacation spot for bespoke, discreet experience-led luxurious journey, he based Luxury Action in Romanjevi in 2009. The portfolio grew with Octola Private Wilderness, together with Octola Lodge, in 2018, adopted by Octola II in 2025. That identical yr he purchased out his investor and co-owner, former Formula 1 racing driver champion Mikka Hakkinen, and appointed Sámi-born Henry Valle as CEO.
“The story of Reindeer Manor is deeply rooted in Sámi heritage,” Jani Kettunen, the resort supervisor, tells me as we stroll across the snow-swept grounds. “It stands on the site of the ancient settlement of Lonnakko, and according to Sámi legends passed down through generations, it was the Crane Shaman who laid the first stones here, settling the first Lappish nomads in the late 1700s.” Its remoteness has protected it by means of the centuries, and even by means of struggle. “During the 1944 Lapland War, it wasn’t destroyed. Why? Because it’s so far off the beaten track. They simply didn’t find it,” explains Kettunen.
In 2024 the Kentalas offered the manor and 200 hectares round it to Honkanen, who remodeled the ten already present glass igloos with a full luxurious makeover, together with putting in high-end scorching tubs and renaming the property Reindeer Manor as a substitute of its previous Finnish title, Lapinkylä, “Lappish Village”.
The rooms
There are 10 glass igloos for 2, all of which may be modified with an additional mattress to accommodate one extra grownup or two youngsters. Each comes with a non-public outside scorching tub that’s ideally located to the facet for full seclusion and unbroken views of the snowy woods. Inside, the vibe is snug however sensible: the sky is framed by 5 triangular glass panels above the king-sized mattress, which is roofed in sheepskin. Ice or snow obstructing the view? For clear views even after snowfall, simply push a button to warmth the glass. High-end Scandinavian furnishings from Norwegian firm Slettvoll, wood-clad interiors, underfloor heating and delicate rugs across the mattress all do their bit so as to add to a comfy environment, and the hard-wearing rug and durable hooks by the doorway show important for snow-boots and winter gear. Extra factors for the beneficiant walk-in spa-level energy bathe. There’s no TV – the night’s viewing comes courtesy of Mother Nature.
On request, an unique buyout of your complete resort may be organized, making it a unbelievable selection for bigger teams or events corresponding to weddings.
Food and drink
Breakfast and dinner are served within the restaurant, which is adjoining to the foyer space in the principle home. The inside is heat, grounded and distinctly northern with a blazing fireplace on the centre, casting a delicate glow on the honeyed timber partitions and stripped-back historical wood beams. Top desk? One by a window due to the views of the reindeer enclosure and the forest.
At breakfast, fuelling up on sensational smoked salmon, Karelian pies – conventional Finnish rye-crusted pastries crammed with rice porridge and served with home made munavoi (egg butter) – contemporary berry smoothies and a ginger shot for good measure, grew to become our each day routine to begin the day.
Head of all issues culinary, Petri Selander, has created an genuine menu that reimagines conventional Lappish dishes utilizing fashionable cooking methods and solely native produce. Focusing on the genuine flavours of the Arctic wilderness, it’s made up of sport meats, wild mushrooms, berries and fish. Hilma, our waitress, explains, “We don’t serve anything farmed. Everything you will eat here comes from the forest.” The menu is small however packs a punch. As anticipated, reindeer options closely and is available in many varieties: carpaccio, braised shank, grilled fillet, sautéed. The standout signature dish is fried willow grouse breast and grilled reindeer filet tournedos with sport sauce, cranberry turnips and parsnip purée. There’s loads on provide for non-meat-eaters too: we feasted on wild mushroom broad bean hummus with grilled greens, sugar-salted white fish from lake Inari with a fennel salad, and a plate of beetroot so fairly they’re nearly too stunning to eat. Sweet tooth? The cloudberry parfait is a pleasant creation of chocolate sand, white chocolate mousse, cloudberry coulis and saffron tuile. My favorite: Spruce lime sorbet. It’s a type of flavours that sounds a bit bonkers till you style it, then all of it is sensible. It’s refreshingly herby with a slight citrus elevate. Perhaps a bit wild, in a Nordic approach.
The space
The resort is located on just a few hundred hectares of personal land, and with a further 300 to 400 hectares of publicly accessible, state-owned forested Arctic tundra wilderness to play with, it solely is sensible that that is the place probably the most thrilling enjoyable stuff occurs.
And there’s loads on provide, together with cross-country snowboarding, husky sled rides, white-knuckle aurora chases throughout open snow plains, the place the dearth of sunshine air pollution will increase the possibilities of recognizing that elusive aurora, ketunhännät – fox tail fires in Finnish. Some packages embody a magical reindeer sleigh experience the place you study Sámi customs and reindeer herding. You can go downhill snowboarding at close by Levi, a large resort with floodlit slopes and a powerful 27 ski lifts.
The self-drive husky sledding allows you to steer a workforce of Siberian and Alaskan huskies although Lapland’s pristine winter landscapes. There are 5 canines per sled, with the 2 strongest positioned on the again, closest to the sledge. The main canine (there can solely be one chief) is within the entrance and a youthful canine present process coaching might be proper subsequent to the chief. Fredo, a shocking Siberian husky, is our chief, Fixu is his apprentice. Osram, Juri and Rysa trailed behind. With the canines raring to go, their fierce barking echoing loudly, the take-off appears like an adrenaline-fuelled race is about to begin. Once underway, the dynamic fully shifts and so they work diligently and calmly. After their work is completed, it’s meet-and-greet time with the canines, their manner modified, now goofing round like puppies.
The service
There are roughly 20 seasonal employees throughout peak season. Year-round, Reindeer Manor is supported by two to 5 everlasting employees, who work throughout the manor and different manufacturers throughout the Luxury Action Alliance. All of them appear to have a real love for what they do. They are a extremely competent crew which are very educated about meals and their environment, and they’re at all times eager to share their tales and keenness for the Lappish wilderness. The resort is sufficiently small for everybody to know your title in a short while, and the service feels very private, real and heartfelt, at all times on level with no ask being too huge.
Wellness
It wouldn’t be a correct journey to the Arctic Circle with no correct Finnish sauna, and this one comes with heaps of historical past. The constructing that homes the sauna has barely modified for 200 years, however it was rigorously tailored to fashionable sauna requirements. It was initially a steam sauna (savusauna), the earliest sort of sauna in Finland, which predates chimneys. It was heated by an open fireplace that stuffed the room with smoke, blackening the partitions whereas the stones absorbed warmth earlier than the smoke was vented and the sauna might be used. It’s not a steam sauna anymore. Instead, the room now incorporates a custom-made 600-kilogram stone heater (pre-booking is important because it takes greater than 4 hours to warmth). Fortunately the air is now pure, however the constructing’s distinctive, comforting smoky scent continues to be current because the wood beams heat.
It’s extremely really helpful to instantly dive into the fluffy snow behind the sauna for a snow angel or two after your session. This is the customary technique of cooling off right here. This specific spot is completely secluded, so privateness shouldn’t be a problem. You are gazing at a scene that has remained unaltered for hundreds of years and is safeguarded by the Finnish Heritage Agency (Museovirasto). The oldest timber constructions from the unique settlement are nonetheless standing throughout Lonnaco discipline, and the river flows quietly behind them.
For households
Reindeer Manor has the household facet totally lined. Some of the igloo items may be configured with an additional mattress to suit a 3rd grownup or two younger youngsters, and nearly all of the enjoyable stuff on provide for the adults – from thrilling snowmobile tours to husky and reindeer sled rides – may be tailored to swimsuit children. Often this simply means shorter rides to verify little ones don’t get too icy in situations that may simply dip beneath -20 levels. Then there’s tobogganing and snowshoeing to strive, adopted by roasting marshmallows over a campfire and making pals with the resident reindeer that stroll freely across the property. The Christmas Magic package deal on provide through the vacation interval ensures a magical assembly with Santa Claus and, in the event you’re fortunate, an elf might go to at dinnertime.
Eco effort
Although Reindeer Manor doesn’t at the moment have an eco or sustainable travel certification, sustainability is clearly a giant a part of its each day operations, and an official accreditation utility is now underway. The Aurora glass igloo suites have energy-efficient parts corresponding to electrical underfloor heating and low-energy scorching tubs, and the principle property is powered by photo voltaic vitality. When it involves the meals, no farmed produce is used and all components are totally sustainable, at all times seasonal and sourced regionally. The no-buffet strategy ensures minimal waste, with any additional meals being recycled or repurposed. And eco-conscious decisions all through the resort prolong to bio-based cleansing options, chlorine-free programs and punctiliously chosen sustainable soaps and toiletries.
Accessibility
Seasonal components definitely have an effect on accessibility in Finnish Lapland, with snow and ice naturally the largest obstacles for these with restricted mobility, however the manor’s most important inside space, together with the restaurant, is totally wheelchair accessible by way of a devoted ramped entrance on the finish of the constructing. The igloos at the moment have two steps on the entrance that visitors must navigate, however there’s steady effort to make the expertise extra inclusive, and vital upgrades are deliberate.
Anything left to say?
There is a small private-dining setting on web site, known as Kammi (or Gammi), a quintessential rustic Lappish hut, the place there’s a chef’s desk with an open-fire cooking station within the center. It is discreetly tucked away in one of many renovated historical buildings that have been a part of the unique village settlement. Private dinners may be organized on request.
There are additionally Joiku experiences – conventional Sámi singing and storytelling – held right here all year long, led by Luxury Action’s CEO, Henry Valle, as a part of a personalized package deal and for personal shoppers.
Come spring, Kammi turns right into a much-loved watering gap for cross-country skiers, who cease by on their tour from Levi for espresso or a warming glass of glögi, the standard Finnish spiced scorching drink. Think of it because the Nordic cousin of mulled wine.
First revealed on CNT UK