Jávri Lodge – Finland

In the wilds of Lapland in northern Finland, marked by crystal-clear lakes and endless forests, lies Saariselkä – gateway to the trails and adventures in untouched Urho Kekkonen National Park.

It was here that the park’s namesake president (the longest-serving in Finland) escaped with those closest to him, as well as royalty and world leaders, to feel the tangible presence of nature, to glimpse the Northern Lights, to hibernate in winter’s cold and darkness and to awaken once more in the never-setting sun as summer replaces winter. Today, this retreat is Jávri Lodge, an adult only luxury boutique property, open to just 26 fortunate guests at a time. The service remains nothing short of presidential with a personalised concierge service, cuisine that celebrates the best of local delicacies and all the outdoor activities one might expect in the Nordic great outdoors. At the center of it all, the traditional Lappish-style chalet is a tranquil, aesthetically pleasing retreat here in an arctic wonderland, guaranteed to rejuvenate the soul and form an everlasting appreciation for nature’s bounty.