Private Sauna, Wellness & Ice Swimming in Lapland
Wood-fired sauna, a cold lake if you want one, and treatments in the residence. The quietest thing we arrange, and the easiest to fit around everything else.
A Proper Finnish Sauna at Your Villa
Sauna here is domestic rather than spa: wood-fired, unhurried, and part of the house you are staying in. We arrange it heated for the time you want it.
Finland has around three million saunas, and Finnish sauna culture is on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. Treatments, massage and ice swimming can be added.
- Wood-fired sauna, heated for your time
- Guided ice swimming
- Massage and treatments in the residence
- Towels and robes provided
- First-timers guided throughout
- Arranged around the rest of the day
Who Runs Your Wellness
Therapists and ice-swimming guides are local, and named before they come to the house.
What Mr Charles adds
- The therapist or guide matched to your group
- The sauna heated for the time you want
- Ice conditions checked before any swim
- One contact if anything changes
Which Evening Suits You
All arranged privately for your group.
Sauna Only
- Where
- Your residence
- Guided
- No
- Suits
- Any group
Sauna and Ice Swim
- Where
- Residence or lake
- Guided
- Yes, throughout
- Suits
- The curious
Sauna and Treatments
- Where
- Your residence
- Guided
- Therapist present
- Suits
- After a long day out
An Evening in the Sauna
Unhurried by design. Nothing here runs to a timetable except the heating.
- 01
The Sauna Is Lit
Wood-fired saunas take time, so it is heated to be ready when you are.
- 02
You Go In
Towels and robes laid out, water on the stones as you like it.
- 03
Cold, If You Want It
A cut hole in the ice or a cold shower. Guided throughout, and entirely optional.
- 04
Back to the Heat
The cycle repeated as many times as suits you.
- 05
Treatment, If Booked
Massage in the residence once you are warm again.
- 06
Something to Eat
Cooked by the chef we provide, or left ready in the house.
Ice swimming only goes ahead where the guide has checked the ice and the entry point.
Provided, and What to Bring
Provided
- The sauna heated for your time
- Towels and robes
- A guide for ice swimming, where booked
- Therapist and equipment, where booked
- Water and something cold to drink
Please bring
- Swimwear
- Warm layers for afterwards
- Thick socks
- Any medication needed that day
- Your own camera, if you shoot
Tell us about heart conditions, high blood pressure or pregnancy before booking.
Health, Ice and Common Sense
Sauna and cold water are safe for most people, and not for everyone. These are the rules we work to.
- Ice swimming only where the guide has checked and approved the ice
- The hole is cut and checked by the guide, never by guests
- Nobody swims alone, and a guide is present throughout
- Heart conditions, high blood pressure and pregnancy: tell us before booking
- Alcohol and sauna do not mix, and the guide will say so
- Minimum ages apply to ice swimming
Questions About Sauna & Wellness
Anything not covered here, send it to us and a person replies within 30 minutes, 24 hours a day.
Yes. Every villa we offer has a private sauna, and we check it before offering a house. If you stay somewhere else, we arrange a private sauna nearby.
For most healthy adults, with a guide. It only goes ahead where the ice and entry point have been checked, and nobody swims alone. Anyone with a heart condition, high blood pressure or a pregnancy should check with a doctor first.
No. The cold is entirely optional, and a cold shower or simply cooling off outside works just as well.
Yes. The therapist brings the treatment table and equipment.
Sauna is part of Finnish family life, and children join their parents at a gentler heat. Ice swimming has minimum ages.
Anyone with a heart condition or high blood pressure, or who is pregnant, should take medical advice first. Nobody should combine sauna or ice swimming with alcohol.