Vanha Väätänen Cottage

The food was really good, and it’s a lovely spot out in the beautiful countryside ❤️ Groups who enjoy sauna would feel right at home here.

It’s run by a great couple, with a warm atmosphere and a professional feel.

You can rent a large hut and chambers in the magnificent main building, set in a lovely old courtyard. There’s also a fire pit in the yard for summer singing evenings and the like, plus modern cottages a bit farther away. The beach is right next door, and you can arrange to have any of the three saunas heated: the stone sauna, smoke sauna, or cottage sauna. From the hill, there’s a magnificent view across the exotic swamp, a wide, treeless neva.

The cottage felt cozy, warm, and comfortable, and it was easy to find, with clear signs in the main building’s yard. Getting there, picking up the keys, and paying were all smooth. The kitchen had all the basic utensils, appliances, and dishes. We came with two adults and five kids aged 8-17, and thought there would be seven beds. The seventh sleeping spot turned out to be either a cot or a sofa. Cleanliness was a bit “homey.” There was some leftover frying grease, dog hair in the sauna, and human hair along the toilet bowl. Under the upstairs beds, we found more leftovers from previous guests and a lot of dust, enough to gather a literal handful with the first sweep. Dried food had to be scraped off several kitchen utensils. Still, a cottage isn’t meant to feel clinical. We came to enjoy nature together, and that worked brilliantly. Watching the incredibly beautiful night sky and sunset in the freezing cold while taking a sauna was the high point of this low-budget trip.