10 Unique Accommodations in Åland
Stay in a cosy countryside hotel, go glamping in the heart of nature, or enjoy tranquillity on an island in an authentic archipelago style. In Åland, you can opt for a unique accommodation. Here are 10 charming accommodations that stand out.
1. Tornvillan at Harnäs Cottages
This log villa is ideally located for those seeking their own space and peaceful relaxation by the sea. With a private shoreline of a couple of hundred metres and smooth rocks inviting you to barefoot walks in a delightful seascape, this accommodation offers a serene escape. Situated on its own peninsula, the nearest neighbours are a couple of hundred metres away.
The villa, especially its tower, offers stunning sea views towards the northwest archipelago of Åland. The cabin is equipped to a high standard and accommodates six people, with additional sleeping space for two in a separate sauna building heated by wood. The cabin's electricity is partly generated by solar panels, and amenities include wireless internet and a charging station for electric cars. This villa is available for booking year-round.
2. Bergklint Hermit Cottage
This cottage may not be large in size, but it provides everything you need. Bergklint is located on a small island off the coast of Eckerö, and the boat journey takes only a few minutes. However, upon arrival, it feels like leaving everyday life far behind. Here, you can focus on the essentials and experience life surrounded by the sea like a local. The cottage, furnished with high-quality materials and products, offers space for two. Here, you can detach from daily life, listen to the seagulls, and admire the sunset over the sea. The wood-burning fireplace in the cottage provides warmth and atmosphere in the evenings. Take a walk along the rocky shores, have a bath in the wood-fired sauna, take a dip in the sea, cook outdoors, and enjoy leisure time alone on the island.
3. Snäckö Canvas
Have you ever tried glamping? It's a luxurious form of camping that combines the best of camping and a hotel stay: you sleep in a comfortable bed, but just outside the tent awaits the tranquillity of nature and the sea. Located in Getå, Snäckö Canvas is accommodation for those who want to be as close to nature as possible, fall asleep listening to the sounds of the sea, but in a comfortable bed. In the morning, a hearty breakfast basket is delivered to the front of the tent. If you want an even more personalised glamping experience, you can choose a tent on an island with its own pier and sauna. It's Ålandic luxury at its finest!
4. Brändö Bed and Bike
In Brändö, at the easternmost archipelago of Åland, lies the charming small Borkenholm estate and Brändö Bed & Bike, a small B&B surrounded by a lush courtyard. The cosy rooms are perfect for cyclists, as Brändö is an interesting cycling destination with its many small islands that are enjoyable to explore on the way from the Finnish mainland to the main island of Åland. If you didn't bring your own bike, you can rent one here for touring the islands. The highly praised breakfast includes berries, fruits, and vegetables from the garden and ensures a hearty start to your next bike ride.
5. Fiskeskärs Selma Hermit Cottage
Inspired by the movie "Stormskerry Maja," many wonder what it would be like to live surrounded by the sea like Maja, without modern conveniences such as electricity or running water. Fiskeskärs cottage is charming and old-fashioned, located in the northern archipelago of Åland. It is located right next to Väderskär island, which is the inspiration for the island of Stormskerry in Anni Blomqvist's novels. Stepping off the boat onto this small island, time and everyday life are forgotten in an instant. Here, you can stay comfortably but far from the hustle and bustle, with only the surrounding sea as your neighbour.
6. Kvarnbo Pensionat Guesthouse
In a beautiful 19th-century building, you'll stay in an idyllic manor setting in the middle of the rural landscape of northern Åland. Each room in the cosy guesthouse is uniquely furnished, and breakfast is served in a traditionally decorated hall. The guesthouse is located opposite the beautiful stone church of Saltvik, and 400 metres away is the child-friendly Kvarnboviken beach. Upon request, the hosts arrange wine and cheese tastings, as well as guided tours of the farm's restaurant Vinsmedjan, dating back to the 1930s. The courtyard workshop exhibits motorcycles and belt-driven machines, some dating back to 1895.
7. Silverskär Islands
Silverskär includes four islands in Saltvik, northern Åland: Silverskär, Sviskär, Klobben, and the tiny Champagne Island. Silverskär offers accommodation primarily for groups in an authentic archipelago. You’ll stay in cottages resembling traditional fishing lodges, or in a hermit's cabin on your own island.
The newest accommodation resembles a long-shaped backyard shed and is skillfully built from wood from the estate’s own forest and with respect to old traditions. Thanks to this, the building looks like it’s been standing there for ages. However, the appearance is just a facade, as inside awaits a set of cosy hotel rooms equipped with modern bathrooms. Each room has its own character, but they are all united by the skilled use of wood as a material. The place is perfect, for example, for hosting summer weddings; the guests can stay here while the bridal couple spends their wedding night on their own champagne island!
8. Havsvidden Hotel and Bungalows
The Havsvidden Resort is located at the northernmost point of Åland’s main island. This is a great place to enjoy the Norrhavet Sound, which is beautiful whatever time of the year you visit. See it glimmer quietly against a clear blue sky on a summer’s day, or hiss and roar against the red granite rocks in a storm under a leaden sky on an autumn day. Havsvidden has a hotel section with a reception area, bar, restaurant, lounge and conference facilities. You can also choose to stay in your own luxurious “klipphus” (house on the rocks) or take your own boat into the guest harbour.
9. Björnhofvda gård
Björnhofvda Gård is a charming and cosy B&B in Eckerö in western Åland, about a half an hour from Mariehamn. Here, the rural charm is combined with tasteful British influences, as the hostess Jackie is from Great Britain. The pleasant indoor spaces resemble pages from a home decor magazine, and the serene surroundings ensure a relaxing and harmonious experience for those staying at Björnhofvda Gård.
The restaurant serves tasty dishes made primarily from local ingredients, and the occasional afternoon tea events have become immensely popular, with seats usually booked quickly. This place is especially suitable for couples and adult travellers.
10. Hotell Brudhäll
If you want to experience the Åland outer archipelago, you should visit the island of Kökar. It’s an island with its own unique character. Hotel Brudhäll is open year-round so you can experience the archipelago in all seasons. The hotel is located in the guest harbour in the heart of Karlby village. The hotel offers simply furnished but cosy rooms, many of which provide a sea view towards the narrow fairway that leads to the guest harbour. The restaurant serves a delicious breakfast buffet, and it is open to hotel guests 7 days a week. The beach sauna by the quay and the outdoor jacuzzi provide relaxation after a day out in Kökar's rugged nature.
