It doesn’t get much more remote and nature-immersive than at this uber-luxe lodge in more than 300 hectares of pristine Arctic Circle forest in Finland. Few places are more ideal for unplugging your devices and switching off entirely.
As if that wasn’t enough wholesomeness right there, the resort has its own cutting-edge spa and health clinic with wilderness views, where you can sink into a state-of-the-art, Finnish-designed ‘cold pool’ as you would a hole in a frozen lake (a ritual that is part of a traditional sauna bathing session). The space also has also a custom-built swimming pool with a resistance current like that used by Olympic athletes, an alfresco hot tub, treatment rooms, a traditional log-lined Finnish sauna, and a cabin for fireside relaxation and yoga sessions.
Your stay at the lodge is on a fully bespoke basis, so you can decide exactly what you want your escape from the world to look like. A private chef is part of the package, as are some drinks, butler service, and daily housekeeping. Again, food will be tailored to your needs, but expect full-on Arctic cuisine based on ingredients that grow naturally in the region, hand-selected by the chef.
The blissfully secluded setting deep in pine forests makes Octola the perfect option for those who like being fit and active in the great outdoors. An itinerary may include Northern Lights hunting with your guide (there’s a good chance of spotting them between the end of August and April) and a guided mental health walk, followed by a yoga session with meditation and singing bowls, and a classical massage in the spa.
Other winter activities include snowshoeing, off-piste and cross-country skiing, sledging, ice swimming in the private lake, and e-snowbiking. After all that, you’ll probably want to seek sanctuary in front of the flickering hearth in the lodge’s deliciously cosy Karhu (‘Bear’) Bar, built with forest stones, with hand-carved wooden walls, fur-lined seating, and a menu of soothing comfort food that will keep your serotonin levels high. Your two-bedroom villa is also a glamorous nest, with its own sauna and outdoor Jacuzzi and a prime position for spotting the Aurora Borealis through its picture windows.
Lastly, you’ll get the feel-good factor from Octola’s environmental and social sustainability credentials – this is no less than the first accommodation in the Arctic and Nordics to have a negative carbon footprint thanks to its use of wind-generated electricity, geothermal heating, water from its own spring, and locally sourced food.
To book your wellness break at the Octola Private Wilderness, call your Travel Counsellor today.
A new name is arriving on the Bodrum Peninsula for summer 2027. Opening in April, Hillside Resort Bodrum brings the Hillside approach to Gündoğan Bay, with sweeping Aegean views, a private beach, generous outdoor spaces, and plenty of ways to spend the day. For guests visiting in its first season, there’s also the excitement of being among the first to experience it.
Thailand’s islands are known for beautiful beaches, warm seas, and tropical scenery, but at Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas, there is a chance to experience something a little different. Just 35 minutes by boat from Phuket, Koh Yao Yai feels worlds away from the pace of Thailand’s better-known resorts. Rubber plantations, quiet shores, and local villages shape the landscape, while days can be spent discovering the island, heading out across Phang Nga Bay, or simply enjoying the space to slow down. For couples, families, and anyone looking for a Thai island escape, Anantara Koh Yao Yai brings together beautiful surroundings, spacious accommodation, and experiences that make the destination as memorable as the resort itself.
The Riviera Maya has plenty to offer beyond its beaches, from underground rivers and jungle landscapes to Mexican food, art, and culture. Staying with Xcaret Hotels makes it easy to experience more of it, with three very different hotels to choose from. Through the All-Fun Inclusive® concept, stays include access to Grupo Xcaret’s parks and selected tours, alongside dining and experiences at the hotels themselves. Whether you are planning a family adventure, an adults-only escape centred around art and food, or something more intimate, there is an Xcaret hotel to match.
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