Guesthouse Pihlajapuu
The traditional log house used to be a village school but has now been lovingly renovated for it’s new purpose, welcoming international visitors. We have ten bedrooms, seven rooms upstairs and three rooms downstairs, and can accommodate up to fifteen persons. There are lounges and balconies as well as a Finnish sauna heated with a log fire. Our kitchen provides fresh local food. The small town of Nurmes lies about 20 km away from Guest House Rowan Tree.
Rowan Tree is hosting holidays and tours around the year. We are literally in the middle of the woods where you can pick berries and mushrooms in the autumn. We also cook marmalade from berries. In winter there is plenty of snow with cross-country tracks straight from the door. The fireplaces and radiators keep the whole house warm and cozy, even in the most frosty weather.
Prices: Bed&Breakfast 65€/person/day/double room
Full board 95€/person/day
Single room supplement 40€/person/day
The following activities are available during your stay at Rowan Tree:
Canoeing: on a small lake nearby where it is impossible to get lost, or on the Lake Pielinen that spans over 100 km.
Biking: we have bikes, helmets and maps – and offer guided tours as well. In the “land of the thousand lakes” (or about 220 000, to be more accurate) you’ll be never far away from a beach. The roads are mainly in good condition with little traffic but to really see life at the country-side you need to take the hilly sandy side-roads.
Cross-country skiing and snow shoe walking: we can provide the equipment and professional instruction for both of these, as well as skiing workshops from beginners to advanced. The skiing scenes in North Karelia are varied with hills and flat, frozen lakes. Early spring can be a great for snow sports – the days are getting longer and sunnier.
Archery: Minna can give an introductory workshop in archery.
Sauna: In addition to our wonderful in-house sauna that has modern showers and a terrace for cooling down, we cherish Minna’s authentic smoke sauna, about 1 km from Guest House Rowan Tree (in winter we can just walk over the lake but in summer we need to jump in the canoe or drive round the water).
Picking up berries and mushrooms in autumn: You can easily learn to recognize the most common eatable berries. Then you can enjoy them fresh from the forest whenever you wish.
Hiking: There are several national parks in the surroundings, distances 80-150 km by car.
Guesthouse Pihlajapuu – a Warm Haven in the Heart of Nature
Welcome to Guesthouse Pihlajapuu, a former village school in Salmenkylä where the peace of nature, a homely atmosphere, and heartfelt hospitality come together.
Since 2020, we’ve been a proud member of the Finnish Hostel Association, offering members a 10% discount on accommodation. Holders of an international hostel card are also warmly welcome to enjoy special member rates.
Guesthouse Pihlajapuu is also recommended by the Finnish Nature League (Luonto-Liitto) and proudly carries the Welcome Cyclist label – your trusted stopover for a cycling-friendly stay surrounded by nature.
Hostess Minna Welcomes You
Your hostess, Minna, has over 20 years of experience in hospitality and tourism. She welcomes guests with a smile – warm, down-to-earth, and delightfully genuine.
Minna speaks Finnish, English, and German fluently, and also manages in French and Swedish. For international guests, she often offers a cheerful mini course in Finnish, while Finnish visitors are entertained with funny travel stories from over the years.
Active and adventurous, Minna loves spending time canoeing in summer and skiing in winter, often together with her guests. She also teaches archery in the gym hall next to the guesthouse – a hobby close to her heart.
The Flavours and Aromas of Pihlajapuu
In the kitchen, Minna prepares breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and festive meals with warmth and a dash of spice.
Guests are welcome to pack a picnic lunch straight from the breakfast table – and in winter, you’ll leave with a thermos of hot blackcurrant juice to keep you warm on your adventures.
Autumn fills the kitchen with wonderful aromas as jams, chutneys, and berry juices simmer on the stove. In spring, Minna gathers spruce shoots and brews the house specialty, rowan leaf drink – the signature beverage of Pihlajapuu.
Bright kitchen windows are lined with dried peppermint leaves waiting for cozy winter tea moments.
We cook with warmth – and a love for local, natural ingredients.
During the season, Esa joins the kitchen, creating hearty gulash and gourmet dishes and baking perfect cakes.
The heart of the house is also Sari, who keeps the guesthouse spotless and delights guests with freshly baked breakfasts and afternoon treats.
Relax or Explore – Your Choice
Next to the guesthouse, you’ll find a gym hall equipped with a laundry room and drying cabinet, as well as a small library and meeting space.
Guests can freely borrow skis, boots, snowshoes, bicycles, and canoes – everything you need for an active, nature-filled holiday.
Responsible and Heartfelt Hospitality
Guesthouse Pihlajapuu is part of Äksyt Ämmät’s 15 Acts of Responsibility – our promise to care for nature, our community, and our guests every day.
Become Part of Our Story
Whether you’re a traveler, a hiker, or simply seeking peace and quiet, Guesthouse Pihlajapuu invites you to pause and breathe.
Here, warmth, nature, and good food meet – and new friendships are made.
Welcome to Pihlajapuu – where every night tells a story.
