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A house of strong women
Three generations live under the same roof in this home.
The youngest of us, Olivia, studies business in Espoo. I represent the middle generation – I’m Piia. I run my own media and communications business and take care of Huoneistomajoitus Unelma, located on the top floor of our house. I’m 47 years old, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Technology and a Master’s degree in Hospitality Management. My background also includes product development, canoeing instruction and work as an official local guide in Mäntyharju.
On the ground floor lives our mother, Kaija, who also runs her massage practice there. She takes care of laundry, small repairs and the yard – all the details that guests experience as comfort and care.
Our roots are in Karelia, and it shows: we are talkative, independent and raised to be strong women. Our backgrounds are diverse – from military service and security training to upholstery and energy therapy studies. Together, we form a small but resilient and service-minded family business.
When you stay with us or use our services, you are also supporting local entrepreneurship and the work of three generations.
You are warmly welcome as our guest!
Stories of the house and its residents
An artistic home
This is a house where art is part of everyday life. Our mother is the most practical of us: she paints, renovates, tiles and wallpapers – and at the same time cares for people through her work as a massage therapist. I was originally meant to become an artist, but life took a different path. It has been a colourful journey around the world, eventually leading to entrepreneurship here in Mäntyharju. Art is still very much part of the house’s character and atmosphere.
The blue house
The blue color of the house has been carefully chosen – it reflects the sky of Mäntyharju and the light mirrored on the lakes. This old house, nearly a hundred years old, is painted with traditional breathable linseed oil paint, protecting the building while respecting its history. The same idea continues in the blue room, where the color palette brings a sense of calm nature and lakeside tranquility indoors.
Art inside and out
Every artwork in the house has its own story – of strengths, imperfections and moments from life. Piia has a background in art school, which is especially visible on the middle floor of the house, accessible through a guided house tour. In the coming years, we will add small info texts to the artworks in the apartment, so guests can explore why certain pieces have been chosen as part of the space.
A house of women
This has always been a house of women – quite literally. When the building was completed in 1939, it was ahead of its time: for example, it included a permanent indoor well and a food cellar. We have preserved a nearly hundred-year-old water boiler and an outdoor toilet as reminders of the past. The house tells a story of women’s work, everyday life and resilience. In 2026, we plan to bring these stories to life through a dedicated house tour.
Grandmother's garden
The garden surrounding Unelma is the domain of our family matriarch. Grandmother has the final say there and cares for the garden with love and experience. You’ll find plenty of useful plants and years of handcrafted details. A guided garden tour is planned for summer 2026.
Our magical forests
Forests are important to all of us, and pine forests in particular are known for their health benefits—something easily forgotten in everyday life. The nature of Mäntyharju is one of the reasons why Piia has studied nature guiding and now also trains hiking guides. “When people experience the peace and power of nature, they also want to protect it.” – Piia
The family of this house
This is a lively and cheerful home—also shared with two cats, Luca and Luna, and an energetic Finnish Lapphund, Lala Pullervo Karkkinen. When you stay with us, you become part of this small community. In a broader sense, our family also includes a circle of friends and a strong network of local entrepreneurs, especially here in Mäntyharju and nearby areas.
The atmosphere
Many guests describe the atmosphere of Unelma with words like light, calm and warmth. It may come from the history of the house, its location, or the women who have always lived here and valued beauty and a homely feel. Whatever the reason, the same sense of calm is usually felt by our guests. You are warmly welcome to experience it yourself.
What we offer for you and your group
We offer hotel-level yet cosy accommodation in an apartment located on the top floor of our house, close to Mäntyharju’s services and the train station. We know the local businesses, hiking routes and day trip destinations well, so you’ll also receive helpful local tips when needed.
Behind Unelma is Piia, an official local guide in Mäntyharju, head trainer of Retkeilyluotsit, and a canoeing and snowshoeing instructor. She knows the local nature and services inside out.
You are warmly welcome.
“Thank you, Piia, for your hospitality. It was wonderful to arrive at Unelma. Our holiday in Mäntyharju went perfectly, and the accommodation was ideal. During our three days, we visited Repovesi (Koppelonkierros trail), Mikkeli (Muisti museum and a city tour), and explored Mäntyharju. We’re still heading to Repovesi National Park for the Fox trail trail. It has been a great trip!”
Location
Address:
Rinnetie 2, Mäntyharju
Unelma is a blue A three-storey detached house at the intersection of Rinnetie and Kauppatie.
The house has four separate entrances, and on the ground floor you’ll find the massage practice of my mother, Kaija Heinonen, a trained professional from the Helsinki School of Massage.
The apartment is located on the top floor of the house. It is a bright, dual-aspect apartment with views ranging from historic Kauppatie to our matriarch’s garden.
There is an information sign at the blue main entrance in the yard. If you need more detailed directions, feel free to call or check the contact details on our website—for example, for train-related information. The entrance for guests is the only blue door (the others are white).
Arriving by train? We are within a short walking distance of the train station (under 1 km), and the town centre is only about 750 metres away. The nearest grocery store is just 30 metres away, with more shops in the centre. The canoeing centre is 650 metres away and Kisala sports hall about 1 kilometre. Nature trails can be accessed from both the train station and Kisala, and nearby forests offer beautiful walking paths and lake views. Feel free to ask Piia for more tips—for example, if you are travelling with a pet.
Would you like to learn more about Mäntyharju?
We are part of the Visit Mäntyharju network. Their shared website offers plenty of additional information about local services. You can also find more about Mäntyharju as a travel destination on our site, for example in our blog. There is plenty of extra information and stories.
