Charred wood cabins right by the water in the archipelago of southwestern Finland

The Barö / Ingå / Nyland / Finland

There is such a joy in exploring one’s backyard. Places, regions or even neighboring countries that are often overlooked in favor of more far-flung and exotic destinations. Many of us have visited several places in distant countries before we have explored a fraction of our own country. One of my blank spots in my vicinity is our neighbor in the east, Finland. I grew up on the west coast of Sweden so for us Denmark and Norway has always been the easier choice. But when we lived in Stockholm for a couple of years Finland was all of a sudden much closer at hand. Southwest of Helsinki there is a region called the Inkoo archipelago and it is here, right by the edge of the Baltic Sea, less than one hour from Helsinki, where you’ll find the stunning Barö Hotel.

The Barö is a deconstructed hotel, where the rooms are black timber cabins gently placed among tall pine trees, resting on a cliff overlooking the narrow Barö strait. The whole idea behind the Barö was to create a hotel that would have an as small impact on nature as possible. Netta & Jussi Paavoseppä, who are the founders and owners of the hotel had this idea that if they would ever need to disassemble the structures, they wouldn’t leave a trace.

The hotel, that opened up in 2021, is made up of a main building, where you’ll find the reception, restaurant and bar, surrounded by a big outdoor terrace. On both sides, reaching out like arms from a body, are 18 different size cabins that are connected by wooden footbridges mounted on stilts, so that nature can still go about its business underneath. The wood for all the structures have been locally sourced, one of the many sustainability choices involved in creating this unique hotel, which is why they have been awarded with a Green Key Certificate.

The main feature of the charred, pine clad cabins are the floor-to-celing windows. The cabins are placed so they are all facing away from each other to create as much privacy as possible. When inside the massive window is like a huge, ever changing piece of art, where it is easy to get lost, staring out at the swaying trees, spotting a deer that is looking right in your direction.

At the far end of the cabins facing the strait, there is a great terrace with sun loungers, perfect for an afternoon snooze under the shade of the pine trees. Right below the terrace, in the small bay, there is a sauna (this is Finland after all) and a jetty from which you can take a fresh dip to cool off afterwards. The Barö offers a Scandi version of barefoot luxury.

The parking is located a couple of hundred meters from the hotel. You just grab a trolley, load your luggage…

…and take the gravel road through the woods.

The main building of the Barö where the reception, restaurant and bar is located.

The walkways have leading to the cabins have been built on stilts to create an as small disruption to nature as possible.

The cabins are also erected on stilts, minimizing the impact on nature.

Just like the exterior, the interior is also very dark and sombre. The main feature of the cabin is the massive window. Like the most beautiful piece of art.

The outside is brought into the cabin through the window.

I have to admit, I love myself a fitted carpet.

The design of the cabin is very rustic yet minimalist with concrete and wood as the main features. And not to forget, some great lighting solutions making it easy to create the right mood light.

The restaurant and the massive terrace surrounded by pine trees and the narrow Barö strait below.

I love the facade of the buildings, the structured surface of the charred wood makes it come alive in the sun.

My favorite spot, the sun loungers on the terrace at the far end of the hotel with stunning views of the boats lazily cruising through the strait.

Magnus enjoying the Spring sun down on the jetty.

And since this is Finland, of course there is a sauna. Built in the the same style as the cabins…

…with a massive window facing the water.

Magnus ready to cool down after a long sauna session.

Sun has set over the Barö and time to head back to the cabin.

If you are up for an excursion, nearby Fiskars is well worth a visit.

We found a great coffee roasters in Fiskars. A great souvenir to bring back home.

The cute little fire station of Fiskars.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…want to stay in your own contemporary cabin embedded in a pine forest, right by the water on an island. If you love calm surroundings, rugged Scandi nature and cold dips followed by a steamy sauna, you are going to love the Barö.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the way the hotel as been constructed, gently placing the cabins and the walkways leading to them with as little impact on nature as possible The whole place has been built so if they would one day need to disassemble it, they wouldn’t leave a trace. And in 2025, the Barö will be climate neutral.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to have a proper Finnish sauna. It is a must when in Finland. Basically, it is mandatory. If you are looking for a good place for food, take the short ferry ride over the Barö strait and head to Restaurang Scola. And if the urge is to strong, of course they also have a sauna. And if you want to venture further, the old industrial village of Fiskars, is a short drive away and well worth a visit. And I am sure there is a least one sauna there.

If you like this hotel you might also like…

Majamaja, Helsinki, Finland

Juvet Landscape Hotel, Valldal, Norway

Les Cabanes de Rensiwez, Houffalize, Belgium