There is usually a sauna and often a swimming pool in Finnish hotels and motels. The price level varies from district to district, being higher in Helsinki and some areas of Lapland. Many hotels and motels include breakfast in their rates. Advance reservations are advisable in the summer months. Details of hotels are listed in the brochures available from Finnish Tourist Board offices. Accommodation at reduced rates is often possible, especially for groups and during weekends. Reductions are also possible for guests participating in special schemes run by hotel chains throughout Scandinavia. Information can be obtained from the Finnish Hotel and Restaurant Association. Summer hotels: During summer (June 1 to August 31), when the universities are closed, student accommodation becomes available to tourists. Rooms are modern and clean and cheaper than regular hotels. They are located around the country in major cities.

There are approximately 100 bed & breakfast host families in Finland. Children aged under 12 years are free of charge. A list of bed & breakfast outlets can be supplied by the Finnish Tourist Board (see Top Things To Do) and the brochure Finland Country Holidays – Bed & Breakfast, published by Lomarengas, who can also take bookings. The brochure also includes information on farm holidays.

Hundreds of farmhouses take guests on a bed & breakfast and full- or half-board basis. They are in rural settings and almost always close to water. The guest rooms may be without modern conveniences but are clean. Some farms also have individual cottages for full-board guests, or self-catering apartments with kitchen, fridge and electric stove. Guests can typically join the host family for meals, take a sauna, row, fish, walk in the forests or join in the work of the farm. Full-board rates include two hot meals, coffee twice a day and a sauna twice a week (children receive a discount). The majority of farms are in central and eastern Finland, some on the coast and in the Åland Islands. Farmhouses are graded on a scale from 1 to 5 stars.

There are plenty of Holiday Villages in Finland, many in the luxury class with all modern conveniences. These villages consist of self-contained first-class bungalows by a lake and offer varied leisure activities, such as fishing, rowing, hiking and swimming. All cottages have a sauna as standard. The best villages are open all year round and can be used as a base for winter holidays and skiing. Minimum hire is one week during the peak seasons. Some of the villages also have hotels and restaurants. There are also thousands of individually owned holiday cottages for hire, ranging from the humblest fishing hut on the coast to the luxury villas of the inland lakes. They are all furnished and have cooking utensils, crockery and bed linen as well as fuel for heating, cooking and lighting and, in some cases, a boat. Most inland cottages are near a farm where food can be bought. Reductions are available out of season. Enquire at tourist offices for details. Classification is from 1 to 5 stars.

There are about 100 youth hostels in Finland. Many of them are only open from June to August. Some of the hostels are in empty educational establishments, with accommodation and fairly large rooms, but a lot of them also offer family rooms. The hostels do not usually provide food, but coffee and refreshments are available at most and some have self-catering kitchens. There are no age restrictions. Sheets can be hired. For more information, contact Hostelling International Finland. Youth hostels are classified into four categories according to their facilities.

There are about 200 campsites in Finland that have been fully inspected and graded by the Finnish Camping Site Association. Sites are classified into five grades. The majority have cooking facilities, kiosks and canteens where groceries can be bought. Campsites are generally along waterways, within easy reach of main roads and towns. Camping outside official campsites is allowed providing no damage is caused to crops or other items, and the camp is at least 150m (492ft) from human habitations. Permission must be given by the landowner. The camping season starts in late May or early June and ends in late August or early September. In southern Finland, it is possible to sleep under canvas for about three months and in the north for about two months. Most campsites have indoor accommodation, camping cottages and holiday cottages suitable for family accommodation. Prices depend on the classification of the campsite and are charged for a family, ie two adults, children, car, tent and trailer. The charge includes basic facilities, such as cooking, washing, etc. Camping Card Scandinavia is valid in Finland; the cost is €6, holders receive discounts on campsite fees, cottage accommodation and programme services. If a camper has an international camping card (FICC), a national camping card is not required. Sites are classified into five grades. Further details can be obtained from the Finnish Tourist Board (see Top Things To Do) or from Camping in Finland.

Finnish Hotel and Restaurant Association Merimiehenkatu
29, 00150 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: (9) 622 0200.
Website: www.shr.fi

Lomarengas Finnish Country Holidays
Eteläesplanadi 22 C, 3rd floor, FI-00130 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: (9) 5766 3300.
Website: www.lomarengas.fi

Hostelling International Finland (also provides information on summer hotels)
Yrjönkatu 38B-15, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: (9) 565 7150.
Website: www.srmnet.org

Camping in Finland
Website: www.camping.fi