Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse Hotel

We sailed in and used the guest harbour. It’s an amazing place to visit, with a well-protected harbour. Tie up close to the inlet on the left-hand pier for easy access to the service house. It’s a great spot for sunset, and the restaurant is OK.

The island is beautiful in good weather, and the sea can be inspiring during a storm. There’s a sauna, too. We had our best moments sitting on the cliffs with a drink and snack, listening to the waves and birds. But during bird nesting season, possibly May 15 to July 15, movement around the island is severely restricted. We rented the Aava suite. The lighthouse is very plain, and “rustic” feels too romantic a word for it. The suite’s view was nice if you could ignore the spiders outside every window, and there’s an open-air viewing balcony above it that anyone can use. The private bathroom was a real plus compared with the regular lighthouse rooms, and it was modern and clean. The visible piping, small TV with a black spot on the screen, and spiders were drawbacks, though the TV worked. The bed was OK, but I didn’t sleep well. There’s also a sofa that could be used as a bed. There’s no AC, only a small table fan. Even on a pleasant late summer day, the room felt hot while we tried to sleep, and the spiders put us off opening the windows. À la carte meals were very good, but breakfast disappointed me, mostly because there was only one kind of dry, rather tasteless bread. The oatmeal was good. It’s a memorable place, though the suite felt overpriced. It suits people who don’t mind plain accommodation and surroundings in exchange for the lighthouse architecture and being close to the sea.

The hotel and restaurant both had excellent service. This is a beautiful area where you can really let your mind relax and wander. I do wish smoking weren’t allowed on the terrace, and the prices are exorbitant for a hostel.

The fish and vegetarian dish at dinner were wonderful, among the best meals we’ve had on our annual visits to Finland in recent years. For the quality and service, the price was absolutely OK. It’s a unique place to enjoy the peace and nature. Take your time exploring the small island with your eyes open, there’s a lot to discover and it can take hours. Go and enjoy.