Landhaus Kekkola: an estate with five centuries of history on Lake Saimaa

A chef from Sardinia who makes truffle ravioli using his mother’s recipe. A hostess from Bavaria who serves schnitzel using her grandmother’s recipe. And in between, on the shore of Lake Iso-Vuolinko near Mikkeli, the country house where a Finnish artillery general’s horses were stabled during World War II. Landhaus Kekkola is by no means a run-of-the-mill place to stay in the Saimaa Lake District.

The estate is located about seven kilometers from the center of Mikkeli, in South Savo, in the heart of Finland’s largest lake district Finland. Since 2022, Janne Muikkunen and Manuela Zirkler, a Finnish-German couple, have been running the manor house. They bring their own international cuisine, hospitality, and stories to the property, without losing sight of the place’s five centuries of history.

From Farm to Estate: Five Centuries of Kekkola

The history of the Kekkola farm dates back to the sixteenth century. The current manor house dates from 1920 and originally served as a summer residence for a wealthy merchant family from Mikkeli. From 1939 to 1944, the estate was put to use by the Finnish armed forces: it served as a gathering point for military horses and as headquarters for Artillery General Nenonen. During those same years, Mikkeli itself served as the headquarters of the Finnish Army, a history that the city now showcases at the Muisti Museum.

Horses have been part of the estate for over a hundred years. Since 2021, the adjacent stables and riding arenas have formed a separate business, the Villit Riding School, but the equestrian heritage remains visible in the landscape. In the summer of 2022, Janne Muikkunen and Manuela Zirkler purchased the estate and named this new chapter “Landhaus Kekkola.”

Staying Overnight at the Country House

The upper floor features fourteen guest rooms, each with its own unique character that reflects the history of the manor house. Four rooms have their own toilet and shower, two rooms have their own toilet, and the remaining eight rooms share well-maintained washroom and shower facilities. As is customary in Finland, many guests also enjoy washing in the sauna. An extra bed or crib can be added to several rooms, making the country house suitable for families. The entire estate can accommodate a total of about thirty guests.

The room rate always includes breakfast at the country house or a breakfast package. Suite Esa and Suite Elsa overlook the lake and the courtyard and both feature a sofa bed for children, a table with chairs, a TV, and access to a shared kitchen. The Manninen room is smaller and decorated in shades of red, with a private balcony overlooking the courtyard, space for two people, and a private restroom.

The property is open year-round. Request a customized quote for a longer stay, an event, or a group.

The Sauna World: sauna, peat treatment, and a dip in the lake

The Sauna World at Landhaus Kekkola is located in its own peaceful cove on the lake. The large sauna features a fireplace and can accommodate up to twenty guests, making it ideal for groups. The small sauna is a more intimate space for up to six people. Both can be combined with the outdoor oak hot tubs.

The entire sauna area can be reserved for private use, including a therapeutic peat treatment or a traditional Finnish sauna experience followed by a dip in the lake. Even guests who are not staying overnight at the country house are welcome to book the sauna and hot tubs.

Kekko la Cucina: Where Southern Savo, Germany, and Sardinia Come Together

The cuisine at Landhaus Kekkola is a fusion of three traditions. Chef Marco Fiori is from Sardinia and incorporates the sun-kissed flavors of his native island into every dish. Hostess Manuela brings with her the German cuisine of her childhood. Together, they combine these influences with local Finnish ingredients from the South Savo region.

The menu features, among other things, marinated vendace from Lake Puula, a Savo-Tuscan cheese and meat platter, Mediterranean-style zander, and homemade truffle ravioli made according to Chef Marco’s mother’s recipe. The fish comes directly from Lake Puula via Järvi-Suomen-Kalatuote in Hirvensalmi. The meat comes from Kuvala Farm in Mäntyharju, Putkisalo Manor in Rantasalmi, and the organic Siiriäinen farm in Hietanen—all of Finnish origin.

The restaurant is open from June through the end of August. Breakfast is served year-round. You’ll find several restaurants within 7 kilometers in Mikkeli.

Experience: From a tour of the estate to dinner over the water

In addition to lodging and dining, Landhaus Kekkola offers a range of “experience packages,” from a brief cultural introduction to a full-service stay featuring wellness and fine dining:

• Saimaa-Sardinia Tasting Platter: a culinary fusion of two food cultures.
• The “Kekkola Tour”: a 30-minute guided tour through 500 years of the estate’s history.
• Peat Sauna Treatment: therapeutic peat in a traditional, wood-fired sauna.
• Private sauna and bath experience: the sauna area exclusively for your group, including refreshments.
• The ultimate Kekkola Manor experience: an all-inclusive stay featuring a guided tour, tasting, sauna, and gourmet dinner.
• The ultimate estate and peat treatment experience: the same experience, enhanced with a peat treatment.
• “The ‘Dream of the Boathouse’: a private dinner in the historic boathouse on Lake Iso-Vuolinko.”
• Country Estate Dinner with Horses: a dinner in a birch forest in the company of horses.
• Pasta Workshop with Marco Fiori: Make and Enjoy Italian Pasta Together.

Prices and availability of the experience packages vary by season. Check with Landhaus Kekkola for current options and prices.

Things to Do Around Landhaus Kekkola

• Bike Rental: Explore Mikkeli and the surrounding area at your own pace.
• Tennis court: Rent a private court on the estate, including rackets and balls.
• Horseback riding: The nearby Villit riding school offers lessons, trail rides, and stable tours for all skill levels.
• Outdoor games: soccer, bocce, croquet, Frisbee, a trampoline, and hammocks—all available free of charge to guests.

Hiking from Landhaus Kekkola: Saimaa’s Natural Beauty

Landhaus Kekkola is located in the heart of the Saimaa Lake District, with nature trails and national parks ranging from a ten-minute drive to just over an hour away. These include the nearby Saimaa Geopark Visitor Center in Urpola, the 5,000-year-old rock carvings at Astuvansalmi, and the Repovesi, Linnansaari, and Leivonmäki National Parks. For those who spend the day actively exploring nature, there’s a warm sauna and a dinner prepared by Chef Marco to round out the evening.

Upon request, Janne and Manuela will be happy to pack a backpack with a lunch and something to drink for your trip if you’d like to spend the day out and about.

Wondering which hiking trails and national parks are the best fit for your day? In a separate article, we’ll highlight list the most beautiful nature trails around Saimaa and Mikkeli , including travel times from the country house.

Practical Information

• Address: Vanhamäentie 36, Mikkeli, Finland
• Rooms: 14 guest rooms on the upper floor, accommodating approximately 30 guests in total
• Breakfast: included with every room, served at the country house or as a breakfast package
• Sauna: large sauna (up to 20 people), small sauna (up to 6 people), oak hot tubs, available for private booking, also for non-hotel guests
• Restaurant: Kekko la Cucina, Savoyard-German-Sardinian cuisine; also open to non-hotel guests
• Horseback riding: through the neighboring Villit riding school
• Accessibility: approximately 7 km from downtown Mikkeli; the nearest train station is Mikkeli, with connections to Helsinki
• Phone: +358 400 353 897

Frequently Asked Questions About Landhaus Kekkola

Is Landhaus Kekkola a good base for hiking around Saimaa?

Yes. The estate is centrally located in the Saimaa Lake District, with nature trails nearby and the Repovesi, Linnansaari, and Leivonmäki national parks all within an hour’s drive. After a day of hiking, you can return to the sauna and enjoy dinner at the country house.

Can I book the sauna without staying overnight at the country house?

Yes, the Sauna World—with its large and small saunas and oak hot tubs—is also available for booking by visitors who are not staying at the country house.

What kind of cuisine does Kekko la Cucina serve?

A fusion of Savo regional cuisine, German family traditions, and Sardinian dishes, prepared by Chef Marco Fiori using local Finnish ingredients.

Is there an opportunity to go horseback riding at Landhaus Kekkola?

Yes, through the neighboring Villit riding school, which offers lessons, trail rides, and stable tours for all skill levels.

How far is Landhaus Kekkola from downtown Mikkeli?

About 7 kilometers, a little over ten minutes’ drive.