Pros:
If you want peace and quiet, this is the place.
Cons:
May be too quiet for the younger set.
patgeorge
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(2)
Atmosphere
(3)
Wife and I stayed for three weeks in July 2006. Wife is a local from Lapua, so language no problem. We are not typical backpackers - we're pensioners!
Wanha Karhunmäki (means "old bear's hill) used to be a residential training school for pietists. About ten years ago they moved and it's now run by a trust. It's a very big place, and very underused. We were often the only people there in midweek. At weekends it's very popular for wedding receptions.
Rooms are clean and comfortable. There are showers and facilities for self catering. There's a TV room if you like Finnish TV, and of course two saunas, with a small lake to cool off in. Grounds are nice, with pine woods for walks. But, as in most of rural Finland, mosquitos and flies are a hazard in summer.
No bar or restaurant on site. Lapua only a few kilometres away has supermarket and good basic shopping facilities. If you want nightlife you'll have to go to Seinäjoki, about twenty five kilometres away. Seinäjoki has annual rock festival and hugely popular tango festival
We liked it, and we'd like to see more people using it. Just don't expect a roaring social scene.
