"Pros: Soppela Retreat is an excellent lakeside accommodation for enjoying with a larger group. This facility, an old school transformed into a guesthouse, has a nostalgic charm. I stayed in a room resembling a geography classroom, complete with a large world map, a map of Finland, and, of course, a chalkboard on the wall. The host was Timo's mother, Tanya (if I recall her name correctly). She was incredibly sweet and welcoming, and despite her limited English, we communicated effectively. My heart melted when it was time to leave, we hugged each other, and she blushed as we said goodbye. The accommodation offers hot water in the large school shower rooms, a small sauna, and beautiful surroundings. We enjoyed a walk on the frozen lake just outside the property. A car rental is necessary to reach this location, and the price, compared to others, was very reasonable during the season I traveled. It's just 95 km away from Rovaniemi and 10-15 km from Kemijarvi. Cons: Please consider this not as a wholly negative comment, but as constructive feedback. If possible, the owner might consider replacing the old school pipes, as there is a noticeable smell of methane (or rotten egg) when first entering the building. This was the only minor detail I found less than satisfactory. On a personal note, I sensed that Ms. Tanya might be feeling lonely in that place, she needs more care :)" ~Masimsky

"Pros: Great location near the lake with beautiful views. Good choice if you want some privacy to enjoy the nature. Holiday home is very well equipped, there is everything you could possibly need. Sauna and fireplace is nice bonus. We had magical time. Cons: We slept on the couch in living room because the bed was a bit small and there was cold draft from the window. But it wasn’t really a problem." ~Katarína

"Pros: The house was comfortable and felt like a home. A lot of care had been taken over the décor and finishings. We really appreciated that Pekka and Pauliina took the time to show us around and explain everything when we arrived. Cons: A floorplan would have made planning our trip easier. But this is a very minor issue!" ~Jasmin