Slow Down by the Sea with Outi

An old apple tree bustling with deep red apples looms over the yard.

Flowerpots on the porch guard an open door.

The building's exterior showcases traditional wooden architecture, painted in a soft, inviting hue.

Large windows allow ample light to flood the interior, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for anyone entering.

The building, Hotel Hyppeis, used to be a school.

“We always dreamed of spending more time here year-round",

says Outi Fagerlund, the co-owner of Hotel Hyppeis.

Outi came to Saaristo for the first time in the 1990s with his husband Sam, whose family is originally from the island of Houtskari.

It was Sam who introduced Outi to this idyllic place.

The pair purchased Sam’s grandparents’ old house as a summer house –

and what started as a summer getaway, gradually turned into a home.

Outi and Sam took over the hotel building to establish their business – a decision driven by their dream of sharing the archipelago’s charm with others.

This boutique hotel located in the peaceful Hyppeis village, offers more than just accommodation. The couple runs a renowned restaurant, a guest harbor, and of course – a sauna.

"We wanted to create a place where people could truly experience the unique nature here and feel its calming effect on both mind and body," Outi explains.

For many international guests, Hyppeis has become a hub of relaxation and unwinding. Some guests return from afar, year after year.

And no wonder.

Time here seems to stretch,

as the gentle sounds of the sea blend with birdsong,

on the shore, daisies reach from beneath the rocks towards the sky,

and a wooden swing hangs from a nearby tree, gently moving with the wind.

Outi aims to run things nature first, and sustainability is a cornerstone for the business:

from the pure ingredients in their kitchen to a focus on recycling and guiding guests to respect the fragile environment.

“We prepare everything from scratch in our kitchen and use local produce. For instance, our potatoes, eggs, and lamb all come from nearby neighbors", she explains.

"Locality is very much at the heart of how we operate.”

Living and working in Saaristo has deeply influenced Outi. After years in the city, the calm of Saaristo has reshaped her values.

“I’ve noticed that my pace of life has slowed down significantly since moving here."

In Saaristo, even a trip to the store is an adventure – you end up chatting with neighbors along the way, as you naturally allocate more time to these everyday tasks than you would in the city.

This calming effect is something the couple wants to share with their guests time and time again.

Outi recalls one visitor being so awed by her experience, that she described her stay at Hyppeis as stepping into an old film.

Outi and Sam hugging on the porch of Hyppeis.

“Almost everyone seems to experience the similar peace we feel here, and that’s wonderful – it’s exactly what we want to convey to our guests.”

As Outi and her husband Sam pose for a picture on the porch, their brown labradoodle Bruno sprints to greet them.

Discover Hotel Hyppeis Värdshus in Houtskari

Slow Down by the Sea with Outi

And no wonder.

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