Svartå Slott

I apologize for sounding like a brochure, but I really have to pimp this wonderful hotel to you. It was a very pleasant and rather unique experience if a little on the pricy side for someone like me.

If you ever go vacationing in Finland outside of Helsinki and feel like treating yourself to something a little more different, why not consider staying at a mansion-like little castle?



I stayed two nights at Mustion Linna. It’s not your generic holiday resort. It doesn’t come complete with greasy sausage tourists and a cloraphyl-bleached blue swimming pool. It’s situated next to the calmly trickling Mustio river which you can dip into with or without the enjoyment of the nearby sauna. Having had enough of saunaing at the summerhouse, I didn’t elect to sample this luxury. I prefer skinnydipping and the place seemed too classy to put up with the sight of me.

The gourmet restaurant offers delicacies that while they were pricy for my meager budget were worth every last cent. Just beware, you might want to reserve a seat beforehand or you might find yourself on a long waiting list.
We didn’t know this and found ourselves very hungry and without anywhere else nearby to eat… Luckily, the staff managed to squeeze us in anyway. For being in the middle of nowhere, the restaurant is very popular, maybe because of the weddings, honeymoons, and conferences hosted there. Weddings can be held outdoor if the weather allows. A special little “Merlin Tower” has been built to pamper the honeymooning couple. I only saw it from the distance. The conference rooms were housed in a little church-like structure. Very cute.

If it means anything to anyone, the restaurant has been awarded a shield by the Chaine des Rotisseurs… or… something. I’m not really sure. But it sure looked fancy up on the wall and in the brochure. Yes. I’m easily impressed.

Ahem. Yes. Well, anyway. If dishing out 40€ for a three-course meal isn’t your thing, you can also find cheaper 20€ alternatives or get a 12€ lunch. And if that’s too much, just take your car and drive to the nearby city of Karjaa (Karis in Swedish), find the Art Cafe “Serendipity”, and buy yourself a burger and some deeeelicious “impoverished knights” for around 4€ + 4€. Most excellent.