Octola

YOUR STAY

Octola is not somewhere you book because you want to be close to shops and restaurants. You come here because you want space.

The estate sits away from the busy parts of Lapland, surrounded by its own stretch of wilderness. Snow covers the trees in winter, and the silence is noticeable as soon as you arrive.

Inside, the lodge feels warm and comfortable. Timber, stone and other natural materials fit naturally with the setting, while the large windows make it easy to keep watching the landscape even when you are indoors.

Ten bedrooms are spread between two wings, with six rooms in one and four in the other. That works particularly well when you are travelling as a large family or group and want everyone nearby without putting everyone under one roof.

In the centre of it all, the main lounge gives you somewhere to meet. Sit around the open fire, have a drink, talk about the day's adventures or simply watch the snow outside.

LIFE IN THE ARCTIC

You have 700 hectares to explore, so there is no shortage of ways to spend your time outside. Snowshoe through the forest in the morning, take a husky sled out in the afternoon or visit the estate's reindeer.

If you have never experienced a Finnish winter before, your private guides can show you how to make the most of it. They know the local landscape and can plan activities around your group rather than putting you on a fixed schedule.

Then comes the part everyone waits for: the Northern Lights. On a clear night, walk outside after dinner and look up. There is no need to drive somewhere crowded or wait among other tour groups.

Summer has its own appeal. The snow gives way to green forests and longer days, with hiking and other outdoor activities taking over from the winter adventures.

SPA & HEALTH

Coming back from the cold makes the spa even more enjoyable. You can warm up in the Finnish sauna, spend time in the steam room or head into one of the indoor pools.

The ice sauna is something you are unlikely to find in many other places. Built from blocks of ice and lit from within, it offers a very different take on the traditional sauna.

Afterwards, take your time. A massage in one of the private treatment rooms gives you a chance to properly switch off, while the relaxation areas give you somewhere quiet to sit.

There is also a private health clinic at the estate. Specialist practitioners can be arranged when you want additional wellness support during your stay.

For a slower start to the day, the separate yoga and Wyda chalet gives you somewhere away from the main lodge to stretch, breathe and take some quiet time.

FOOD & EVENINGS

Your meals are prepared by a private chef, with the menus shaped around what your group likes to eat. Local ingredients and Arctic produce feature naturally, bringing some of the surrounding landscape onto the table.

Breakfast might be a relaxed affair before you head into the snow. Come evening, everyone can gather around the long dining table for a proper meal and a glass of wine.

On some days, you can eat outside in the traditional Lappish BBQ hut. It is a completely different atmosphere from sitting indoors, particularly when the forest is covered in snow.

Once dinner is finished, there is still plenty of time left in the evening. Stay by the fire, have another drink or step outside to see whether the Northern Lights have appeared.

You do not need much entertainment when you have a private wilderness outside your door.