Eräjärven Eerola aittahuone (summer room)

We went to Walleniuksen Wapriikki too, about half an hour from Eerola. The building and setting were lovely, and the service was better there, though it still could have improved. That visit was worth it. The accommodation, unfortunately, was a disappointment, so I can't recommend it. The house itself is quite pretty and the rooms were okay, but the location felt odd, with a rundown, abandoned row house across the way. The website photos also didn't match the place very well. Service needed a lot of work. We were staying at Eräjärven Eerolan Lehdokki with my family and my brother's family, including children aged two and three. We'd mentioned the children several times when booking, and I asked again a few days before about beds for them. We were told the rooms were booked for two couples and too small for extra beds. They asked if the kids could sleep between their parents, and offered no other option. Once there, it was obvious the rooms could have fit at least travel cots. There was one cot available, but they simply hadn't brought it over. Luckily my brother's family had brought a travel cot. We used the mattress from the other bed for our child to sleep on the floor. Breakfast was good and filling, and the building where it was served was beautiful, but the smell of mold inside was really strong.

The younger staff were kind and did what they could with the resources available. The food I managed to get was pretty good, but there wasn't enough of it to make for a good experience at Eräjärvi Eerola. They brought out sausage pieces and very spicy meatballs instead of warm vegetables, and people were left waiting for more. The brunch setup was a mess. We were seated 20 minutes late and were left wondering if we'd come to the wrong door. Thankfully it wasn't raining. People waiting for tables and people queuing for food were all bunched up in the doorway, and we had to guess which line was which. The food line ran beside the breads for ages, with nowhere to prepare them. After getting a hot dish, you'd have to queue again or try to reach past people for bread. The pianist was playing so loudly that it was hard to talk at our table while he was at full volume in the "low hut." The coffee also meant another wait. A larger thermos would help so people don't have to queue for it. They really need someone experienced to sort out the brunch logistics and make things clear and orderly.

The staff were nice, the setting is lovely, and the food was really good when we could get it. But Mother's Day brunch was so poorly organized that not everyone at our table got everything. Food, glasses, and cutlery ran out, and new food didn't arrive in time. People were eating while waiting in line. The doors opened half an hour late, with no explanation or instructions about how things worked, so people were rushing to get out. There were too many tables for the amount of food and space around the buffet. Fewer tables and more room at the buffet would help.

It had a lovely rustic, romantic feel, but for the high price the place was pretty disappointing. The water glasses in the room were empty, and I didn't fancy getting lukewarm water from the public toilet's automatic tap. Service was awkward, and staff were hard to reach. During breakfast they were setting up for parties in the hall, so it wasn't peaceful. I felt like I was in the host's way. The cold was the worst part. It was a cool summer evening, and the barn got down to 9 degrees overnight. One radiator was weak and the other didn't work. The toilet and shower were quite far away, and I couldn't get warm water in the shower during my stay. I went from a cold shower back to the freezing barn and didn't sleep at all. I can't recommend it. With those shortcomings, the price should be lower.