Sahanlahti Resort in Ryhala

Sahanlahti Resort has many different accommodation possibilities: caravan sites, modest granaries, cottages, hotel rooms, luxury villas etc. We stayed in the area of Elsanranta. There are five double villas called Saimaavillas (Saimaa Villas) there. These villas were erected in 2023. So they look almost brand new. Every villa has a large bedroom, a bathroom, an own electric sauna (Harvia Instant Heat Sauna Stove) and a large terrace. You have lake view both from the bed, from the terrace and even from the sauna. There is a window between the sauna and the bedroom. When you sit on the sauna bench you see the lake through the bedroom and the terrace. The terrace was my favorite place. There are two rocking chairs and a warm (37 degrees Celsius, also in winter) drop pool without whirlpools (so it isn't a jacuzzi) on the terrace. The lake view was marvelous. Every villa has this lake view and there aren't any buildings or trails between terraces and the lake, only some trees. You also find a Jura coffee machine with coffee beans from a rewarded small coffee roastery named Lehmus, a B&O speaker (a Bluetooth speaker), a Samsung Smart TV, a mini bar, a hairdryer, a garment steamer, a flower vase and two large umbrellas in every villa. Saimaa ringed seals live in Lake Saimaa, not anywhere else in the world. Sometimes it is possible to see Saimaa ringed seals from these villas (there are binoculars in all villas) and sometimes but rarely it may be possible to swim quite near these beautiful animals. There is a swimming pier in the area of Elsanranta. That swimming pier is allowed only for the residents of these five double villas. The nearest other cottages are located 300 meters from Elsanranta and the distance to the main building (the reception, the breakfast room, Cafe Elsa and Restaurant Koskivahti) is about 400 meters. There is a lovely walking trail from Elsanranta to the main building through a historical watermill area with small rapids. You may also use free bikes or a rowing boat when you go from Elsanranta to the main building. However, notice that these free bikes and rowing boats may be used only in the area of Sahanlahti Resort. The main house of Sahanlahti is the birth place of Elsa Heporauta (1883-1960), the founder of the Kalevala Jewelry brand, which was influenced by the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland. So you find editions of the Kalevala both in Finnish and in English in the villas of Elsanranta. Besides, these double villas are named after the Kalevala: Vellamo, Louhi, Ilmarinen, Aino and Väinämöinen. Every villa has almost perfect lake view but it isn't as good in Vellamo as in other villas. So avoid Vellamo if you want to get the perfect lake view. The room A of Väinämöinen villa has the best lake view but privacy isn't as good as in other villas because Väinämöinen is located near the swimming pier. The room B of Louhi villa is located near the rowing boat pier and so privacy isn't perfect there. All other rooms

Beautiful place set by lake outside the town of Puumala. It was a very peaceful and serene setting, a great place to go to get away from busy cities.

I would say that the staff were friendly rather than warm and helpful.

Puumala is Best
Mukava paikka, tullaan uudelleen.

Great location with lake views. Hotel rooms are OK, breakfast fabulous. The restaurant Koskivahti is classy and the casual grill/bat on the beach offers more casual, tasty food (burgers, pizza, salad). Plenty of activity options, too - now including padel.

Lovely resort about 10 mins drive from puumala town. Lakeside view is beautiful, restaurant was surpsingly good using fresh, local ingredients paired with wine. Loved our stay here.

Skip the mediocre burgers they serve at the beach and do three course lunch for almost the same price at the main building.

Good restaurant serving locally produced fare. The lakeside BBQ house adds a nice touch to the place.

We have stayed overnight, dined, ate breakfast and had a sauna at the upper lake here multiple times and it was lovely. The staff is very helpful and kind. The food is nice and the breakfast buffet is a recommendation worthy. The niskalampi sauna is one of the most enjoyable saunas in that neighborhood. And the general atmosphere around the place is really nice.

We just stopped for a lunch break due too a recommendation. They offer a 3 course lunch consisting of (pure finnish) 2 different appetizers, 3 main courses and dessert to choose from. All excellent. We had a dog with us an it was very welcome too. Very friendly staff and untypically for finnish characters, open for jokes. Very much recommended