Seafront off-grid cabins with minimalist design aesthetic on the outskirts of Helsinki
Majamaja / Helsinki / Finland
Off-grid accommodation options is something that is starting to pop up more and more. Seems that more and more people have a longing to disconnect from the everyday life for a moment and free themselves from all the musts and expectations. What is often the case with these off-grid places is that they are placed in stunning natural surroundings and that they have a clear sustainability profile. This is all applicable to this place, Majamaja, located on the outskirts of the Finnish capital.
Majamaja, which opened in 2021, is made up of four ”hotel rooms”, or cabins. When you arrive, you walk along a path through the woods before the Baltic Sea comes into view. And right by the water’s edge, the four cabins are perfectly lined up, waiting for you to move in. Two of the cabins are red and two are black, which are both traditional house colors in the Nordic region. The houses are created by Finnish architect Pekka Littow, together with Päivi Meuronen who is the woman behind the interior and Joska Heikkilä the furniture designer.
This is a hotel where sustainability is in focus, for real, where the aim has been to minimize the environmental footprint. We are talking rainwater collection, circular water clean-up system which means that the tap water is not for drinking. There are solar power panels on the roof so there is electricity in the cabin, although limited to run the pure basic. What makes me happy to see is that sustainability can be combined with comfort AND good looking design.
Majamaja is small space living where the aesthetic is a mix of Sacndi- and Japanese design. It never seize to amaze me how closely related these two design traditions are, with its minimalism, clean lines, rich use of wood and pragmatic usability.
When staying here you will have a great opportunity to disconnect and fully embrace the joy of staying off-grid for a moment, where your closest neighbor is the Helsinki archipelago and the odd seagull swooshing by your window. And if you need an urban break, the great city of Helsinki is a mere 10 min boat ride or drive away.
Welcome to Majamaja, just outside Helsinki. The last part to get to Majamaja, you walk along a path through the woods…
…and all of a sudden this come into the view.
The four Majamaja cabins are standing on solid ground, right by the water.
Our own little private terrace, with sea view and access.
Our cabin was black, both on the outside and the inside. Clever small space living solutions with a Scandi/Japanese aesthetic.
No matter where you stand in the cabin, the eye is constantly drawn to massive window and what is on display on the outside.
The only splash of color in our cabin.
I love the mix of differently tinted wood.
These clever chargeable lamps could be XX from the wall. Almost like a modern version of an old school torch.
Behind two cupboard doors there is a cute little kitchenette.
Local, organic soap in the shower.
Heading upstairs to…
…the sleeping loft and the most comfortable Tempur bed.
The view from above.
Me taking a break to sit on the outside, shielded by the neighboring cabin, enjoying the fresh air.
M sitting in his favorite spot.
Time to call it a night and turn of the lights.
Most important ceremeny of the day - the making (and drinking) of the first cup of coffee. I would be a broken man without it.
Breakfast is served!
Three great tips for Helsinki. First is this one, Common. A shop offering mainly Japanese products.
Continuing the Asian theme, the dumplings at Hills are just as tasty as they look.
And finally for something sweet, the buns at Patisserie Teemu Aura Punavuori are out of this world. The tart filling made my tastebuds sing with joy.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…have a dream of staying right by the sea, where the waves touch the base of the building. If you dream of staying in an off-grid cabin with uninterrupted views of the Helsinki archipelago, there is a place for that will make your dreams come true, Majamaja.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the sea view. It is difficult to say anything but. When you are inside the cabin the massive window puts the world on display and I found myself getting lost over and over again just staring out at the waves, the seagulls floating in the wind and the odd boat passing by heading to some unknown destination. And the crazy thing is that this place is located a short 10 min drive from downtown Helsinki.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to go for a dip in the Baltic Sea. It doesn’t matter what the temperature is. A dip is mandatory.
If you like this hotel you might also like…
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Trekronå, Ogna, Norway
48 Nord, Breitenbach, France
Cabiner, Noord Veluwe, the Netherlands
