Elite Traveler Spring 2023

Octola Lodge FINNISH LAPLAND

As the CEO and founder of Luxury Action, a private travel company that specializes in top-tier travel in the Arctic and Nordic regions, Janne Honkanen found that he couldn’t fi nd the right caliber of accommodation in Finnish Lapland. So, he set out to create one — and thus Octola Lodge was created. The lodge is seriously hidden away in 740 acres of private wilderness reserve, but is surprisingly straightforward to fi nd — Rovaniemi Airport is a 20-minute drive away, or you could come by snowmobile (which takes around one hour) or by husky dog sled (three hours). There’s also a helipad should you wish to fl y. The lodge’s architecture is Sámi- and Lapp-inspired and consists a wooden chalet with 10 en-suite bedrooms plus another two-bedroom villa that comes with its own sauna, outdoor Jacuzzi and two terraces. The interiors are classic Scandi — cozy and chic with fl oor-to-ceiling windows to gaze out at the endless snow-topped forest. There’s also a Northern Lights glass cabin (the lodge is located in one of the best spots in the Arctic for Northern Lights viewing), Spa and Health Clinic, two saunas (one indoors and one outdoors) and two indoor pools. There’s even a recording studio kitted out with a Genelec sound system. And when booking the entire place, you get the services of a butler, wilderness guide, a personal chef and a 24-hour concierge. But, naturally, you’ll want to explore the magical surroundings — and there’s tons of fun stu ff to do: snowmobiling, fatbiking, ice fi shing, husky dog sledding, tobogganing, learning survival skills, ice driving and river rafting in the summer months. The lodge has its own private reindeer herding area, too, which is sure to delight little ones. Best for A magical snowy adventure for families From $34,700 per night for exclusive use. Contact Janne Honkanen, founder, janne@octola.com, +358 445 151 796, octola.com

Photos Juha Kauppinen, Petri Teppo/Studio Artica