Central Karelia accommodation from NZ$138

All right

I was met by the owner Passi who was waiting for me. I had booked into one of the apartments but wes told that I was staying in one of the cottages by the lake. Passi took me to the cottage which has its own wood burning sauna and stunning views looking out to Lake Orivesi. It was really peaceful and it has its own private beach and a rowing boat plus a swing which I must admit I spent quite a bit of time on there. The centre of Kitee is about 20 minutes away in a car so if like me you do not drive order a taxi through the Menava app. It cost me €87 return trip but the compromise is the absolute stunning views. I visited the Nightwish Museum in the centre of Kitee. There is a Merimekko shop and others shops which includes an S Market and a K Market. I would stay here again and nothing was too much trouble for Passi and his mom.

This is the first time that I have stayed here. It is a lovely hotel and is only a ten minute walk to the centre. The choices at breakfast are really good. There is no kettle in the room but there is one in the communal lounge area where there is also a microwave. There is an ABC garage across the road and it has a cafe and a small supermarket the cakes here are amazing. In the centre there is the tourist information centre, two supermarkets (S Market and K Market) and there is also a Marimekko shop with plenty of offers on. The only thing is that this hotel is quite far away from the train station so I advise that you order a taxi through Meneva to get you to the hotel. I would stay here again when I visit Kitee.