Järvisydän – Spa vibes and Seal spotting in Lake Saimaa

*Collaboration: Järvisydän

Järvisydän Nature Hotel & Spa Resort offers a romantic and natural spa atmosphere on Lake Saimaa, in a stunning lakeside setting amidst lush greenery. This beautiful accommodation in Rantasalmi, Finland provides the setting for a relaxing holiday, walking in nature and enjoying the spa services. We set out to experience our share of the magic of Järvisydän at the beginning of summer and I have to admit that I was really excited about this trip. My own time and a peaceful stay by the lake was so welcome, with the cherry on the cake: romance and a spa swim of course.

WHAT IS JÄRVISYDÄN?

Järvisydän is a resort committed to responsible tourism in Rantasalmi, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Saimaa. A family business for 11 generations, Järvisydän offers a variety of accommodations, from large villas to glass igloo suites and traditional hotel rooms. Groups, couples, families and travelers with dogs can stay here. There were three of us on the trip: My husband and I, my mother and our dog Sumu. We stayed in the top-row Landscape Suites, which offered beautiful views over the hotel area and the lake. The suites had large glass roof windows, which were great for admiring sunsets and nightless nights in the summer and the northern lights and stars in the winter. Sumu loved our own terrace area and enjoyed rolling around on the lawn while we sunbathed with our morning coffee.

In addition to accommodation, Järvisydän offers various restaurant services with local traditional delicacies, the opportunity to engage in a variety of nature activities, relax in the famous Järvisydän Spa, or hop on a tour boat to spot Saimaa Seals in the landscapes of Lake Saimaa, hint: These lovely animals can only be spotted in Lake Saimaa region!

Our view was above other suites and towards the lake

Dogs are very welcome everywhere in the Resort area

Dogs are welcome also in the restaurants terrace area during breakfast

Järvikylpylä Spa is the most romantic spa in Finland

Järvisydän is definitely home to Finland’s most famous and romantic spa. This beautiful spa with atmospheric lighting exudes natural materials and peace, and it’s easy to immerse yourself in romantic vibes with your sweetheart. The spa has several different saunas, as well as a salt room, a jacuzzi, a swimming pool and a cold water shower. There are various places around the spa to relax and sit, and the café bar upstairs offers refreshing drinks and snacks to accompany your swim. We could have stayed in the spa for the whole weekend without leaving, because we liked it so much and it is the heart of the entire resort. The spa area also has a stylish infinity pool outside and a beach with sun loungers.

The spa has different pools and saunas to enjoy

Refreshing fresh water infinity pool outside

SEAL SAFARI IN LAKE SAIMAA

Järvisydän organizes seal watching tours to the home waters of the seals here in Linnansaari National Park from May to August. The national park area is a beautiful archipelago and in addition to seeing the seals, you can also see other animals, such as various birds, on the tour. The Saimaa seal is one of the most endangered and rare seals in the world and can only be found on Lake Saimaa, where the species became isolated after the end of the ice age. All seal tours are conducted with a guide, respecting the seals.

Järvisydän is committed to rules for seal-friendly tourism and always carries out tours on the terms and conditions of the seals and without disturbing them. This means that the seals are observed from a suitable distance, respecting them, and the animal’s location information is never published. If you want to get good photos of the seal, I recommend that you prepare yourself with good photography equipment, because a phone camera alone is not enough due to the long distance. However, the guide will be happy to help with photography if possible, so that everyone gets the best possible memory of the trip. Binoculars and lots of additional information about the Saimaa seal are available for everyone on the trip. For us, this was an unforgettable experience and the seal we saw was truly captivating and wonderful. We got a few successful photos through the binoculars on my husband’s phone as a keepsake, but my own iPhone was not providing good photos with the binoculars. So unfortunately I have to admit, in this case Android phone took out iPhone. 😀