A chef from Sardinia who makes truffle ravioli using his mother\u2019s recipe. A hostess from Bavaria who serves schnitzel using her grandmother\u2019s recipe. And in between, on the shore of Lake Iso-Vuolinko near Mikkeli, the country house where a Finnish artillery general\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n
The estate is located about seven kilometers from the center of Mikkeli, in South Savo, in the heart of Finland\u2019s largest lake district Finland<\/a><\/strong>. 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\u2019s five centuries of history. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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 \u201cLandhaus Kekkola.\u201d <\/p>\n\n Janne is originally from Sulkava, on the shores of Lake Saimaa. His work took him from Mikkeli to Munich, where he lived for seventeen years and built up his consulting firm, Rock Solid. That\u2019s where he met Manuela. After she moved to Finland in 2016, the couple settled in Mikkeli and had two sons. Janne\u2019s longing for the countryside and the lake, combined with Manuela\u2019s background in the hospitality and tourism industries, came together in 2022 at Landhaus Kekkola. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n The property is open year-round. Request a customized quote for a longer stay, an event, or a group. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n 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\u2019s mother\u2019s recipe. The fish comes directly from Lake Puula via J\u00e4rvi-Suomen-Kalatuote in Hirvensalmi. The meat comes from Kuvala Farm in M\u00e4ntyharju<\/a>, Putkisalo Manor in Rantasalmi, and the organic Siiri\u00e4inen farm in Hietanen\u2014all of Finnish origin. <\/p>\n\n 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. <\/p>\n\n In addition to lodging and dining, Landhaus Kekkola offers a range of \u201cexperience packages,\u201d from a brief cultural introduction to a full-service stay featuring wellness and fine dining:<\/p>\n\n Prices and availability of the experience packages vary by season. Check with Landhaus Kekkola for current options and prices. <\/p>\n\n 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 Leivonm\u00e4ki National Parks. For those who spend the day actively exploring nature, there\u2019s a warm sauna and a dinner prepared by Chef Marco to round out the evening. <\/p>\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\nFrom Farm to Estate: Five Centuries of Kekkola<\/h2>\n\n
Janne and Manuela: A Finnish-German Dream by the Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Staying Overnight at the Country House<\/h2>\n\n
The Sauna World: sauna, peat treatment, and a dip in the lake<\/h2>\n\n
Kekko la Cucina: Where Southern Savo, Germany, and Sardinia Come Together<\/h2>\n\n
Experience: From a tour of the estate to dinner over the water<\/h2>\n\n
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Things to Do Around Landhaus Kekkola<\/h2>\n\n
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Hiking from Landhaus Kekkola: Saimaa’s Natural Beauty<\/h2>\n\n