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Finding Finland’s Test: Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän

Hotel & Spa Resort Järvisydän consistently wins awards in the Finding Finlands reader polls when asked: where is Finland’s best spa? Where can you find the best breakfast in Finland? What’s the best hotel in Finland?

So, the Finding Finland team decided to get a closer look at what Järvisydän has to offer.

Room Classes and Types

Järvisydän offers a wide variety of accommodations for every taste, from basic standard rooms in the hotel building to private forest villas. We’ve had the pleasure of staying in both the Scenic Suite and the Panorama Suite, which I’ll now introduce in more detail.

Scenic Suite

The Scenic Suites for two include a double bed, fireplace, a sitting area with a small kitchen, and a bathroom/WC. These suites are perfect for enjoying the view through the large heated panoramic windows, no matter the season. Whether it’s the darkest time before Christmas, the first snowfall, a thunderstorm, a full moon, a starry winter night, the northern lights, or the summer’s midnight sun—you can experience it all here, depending on the time of year. The panoramic windows come with curtains, so you don’t need to worry about sleepless nights during the midnight sun. The room also has an adjustable air-source heat pump for both heating and cooling, ensuring a comfortable temperature. Scenic Suites even have pet-friendly options, which was great for us when we brought our dogs along for our second stay.

Panorama Suite

The Panorama Suites, complete with an outdoor hot tub and sauna, are located in a quiet spot atop the Palaneen Mountain. The living room is equipped with a double bed, large panoramic windows, and a small kitchen. For the perfect romantic getaway, the suite also features an indoor sauna and an outdoor hot tub on the terrace, heated year-round. The suites offer stunning views of the natural surroundings, but the large windows do have curtains for privacy. The Panorama Village is situated along nature trails, about 0.5 km from the main building. Unfortunately, pets are not allowed in these suites.

This room type is ideal when you want some privacy with your loved one. It’s delightful to go from your private sauna to the hot tub, and the small kitchen gives you the freedom to relax without being entirely dependent on the hotel’s restaurant.

Finland’s Best Spa

Järvisydän’s spa has been voted Finland’s best spa year after year, and as avid spa-goers, we can confirm that it’s well-deserved! The spa at Järvisydän is designed with the guest in mind, especially those on a romantic couple’s getaway. Children are only allowed in the spa during the day, creating a tranquil and adult-friendly atmosphere. The spa exudes serenity and peace, making it an ideal destination for couples. It’s rare to encounter loud party groups here, which helps maintain the relaxing vibe. The spa features everything you could need—multiple saunas, a bar and relaxation area, a salt room, a quiet room, a cold plunge in winter, and lake swimming in summer. And just look at how beautiful this spa is!

We also tried the spa’s treatment services, and I experienced my first ever Pulikka Massage! Pulikka Massage is based on traditional Savonian folk practices and uses a heated, oiled wooden roller to massage muscles with soothing and pumping motions. It’s highly effective for relaxing both muscles and fascia, with long-lasting stress-relieving effects. The full-body Pulikka Massage (60 min) costs €116 / €136.

Active or Pampering Vacation—Or Both?

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting Järvisydän multiple times, experiencing both active and pampering vacations. What’s the difference, you ask? Well, in practice, both vacations include accommodation and some form of activity—on a pampering vacation, that activity just happens to be soaking in the spa. Not too bad!

Our recommendation is to spend a couple of nights at Järvisydän to make the most of your stay. Time flies, and there are plenty of activities to choose from—which just gives you a reason to come back!

You can find all the various options for your Järvisydän stay by checking the “holiday packages” section on their website. There, you’ll find options for active holidays, where you can choose season-appropriate activities like yoga, a cruise to the national park, ice skating, or two-hour equipment rentals (e.g., eFatBike, ice skating gear, SUP, kayak, snowshoes). You can even choose food or drink as your activity, with options like the Fisherman’s Lunch or the Valamo Wine Tasting!

Valamon viinitasting

The Valamo Wine Tasting allows you to sample delicious local wines and cheeses—an absolute favorite among Järvisydän’s activities! The tasting takes place in a charming, atmospheric room complete with a cozy fireplace. A must-try, according to the Finding Finland’s team!

eFatbike

Oh, this was an amazing experience. No prior experience with Fat Bikes is necessary—we didn’t have any! Plus, with these being electric Fat Bikes, you don’t need to be in top shape either! You’ll receive a map and instructions when you pick up your gear at Safari House, where you can also choose from both easy and more challenging routes. You can even grab campfire supplies, including sausages, juice, and fire-starting gear, for a complete adventure. This was a fantastic experience, and we definitely recommend it!

Restaurant Piikatyttö

Now onto an important topic—the dining options. Since Järvisydän is in a relatively remote location, the quality of the restaurant is crucial. And here, they’ve nailed it. First of all, breakfast ranks among the best in Finland, and we agree! The spread is wide and well-curated, featuring local delicacies alongside classics like bacon and scrambled eggs. You won’t miss a thing at this breakfast table!

Lunch and buffet dinner are also served in the Piikatyttö dining hall. Lunch was tasty and just what we needed after the eFatbike adventure.

Dinner can be enjoyed either in the Piikatyttö dining hall or in the Wiinikellari. The dinner ingredients are high quality, and the wines offer great value for money.

This concludes our hotel review, and as usual, here’s our final verdict: absolutely worth visiting! We loved every moment, every time. I can’t wait to go back. The service is top-notch, and the attention to detail in the design is a feast for the eyes. The accommodations nourish both body and soul. This is the perfect place to relax and spend quality time with your loved one. A strong TopTaste recommendation—and the TopHotels seal of approval is easily earned here.

Photos Elina Engberg

Written by Finding Finland Titti

Lue myös: KYLPYLÄHOTELLI JÄRVISYDÄMEN KOTAHOTELLIN LASIKATTOISESSA HUONEESSA PEITTONA ON TAIVAS

Lue myös: Suomen paras kylpylä

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