Villaforss: Blending Finnish tradition with art and modern hospitality

When you arrive in Villaforss, the historic 122-year old Art Nouveau Villa, you will realise that you have come to a special place. Villaforss offers guests a combination of culture, historic charm and natural beauty along a cosy, home-like atmosphere.

During the winter season, Villaforss is like a Christmas bubble and the villa and the courtyard are decorated gracefully. The historic park is a winter wonderland and soft candlelight enhances the villa’s historic charm. Here, you can enjoy the evening reading a book by the fire with a warm Christmas drink. Santa Claus and his elves also like to spend time at Villaforss. If you are lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights.

In summer, the idyllic porches and pergola transform into wonderful spaces for dining with food cooked over an open fire. Autumn offers stunning scenery with changing colours, and you can enjoy relaxing walks along the river and in the historic area Kehräämö.

House with strong family roots

Hosts Maarika Maury and Juha Valkamo bring warmth, local culinary traditions and a wealth of experience to every stay, making this a unique retreat. The villa itself is full of both modern and classical art. “We have five bedrooms, a grand hall, a room with a fireplace, a library, a spacious kitchen, art attics, summer porches, and a sauna,” says Maury. The villa is perfect for 2 to 4 couples or families. Guests can book the entire house or just a room, or they can choose to stay with the hosts for a truly immersive experience.

Maury, who is also an artist, writer, screenwriter and coach, has a profound bond with the villa, having known it as her grandparents’ home. “I have many happy childhood memories in this house, which I called mummola, meaning granny’s,” she shares. “My grandparents were warm and welcoming to everyone, therefore I want our guests to experience the same feeling here.”

Her co-host Valkamo ensures that every detail of the guest experience is flawless. His family has a background in the restaurant and bakery business, so brings his own extensive expertise in hospitality, food and wine, as well as a nature guide. Together, Maury and Valkamo offer a mix of artistic, cultural and local knowledge, making every stay memorable.

Deep-dive into Finnish culture

Villaforss is an ideal destination for visitors wanting to immerse themselves into the Finnish way of life. “We invite guests to enjoy home-cooked meals with local ingredients. They can even participate in cooking, picking berries and foraging mushrooms, and also visit food markets,” explains Valkamo. “But it’s not just about food; we can do excursions, listen to piano performances by local musicians, or paint with the resident artist.” Activities also include playing tennis with the hosts, listening to Finnish stories, discovering cultural and nature’s hidden gems, and of course indulging in the villa’s wood-heated sauna.

The hosts are always ready to help guests tailoring their holiday. “Our motto is that everything is possible – so we do our best to give our guests the perfect stay that they want,” Valkamo adds. “You can enjoy a relaxing retreat or fill your stay with experiences and activities.”

The Forssa region offers endless activities. This vibrant small town has a deep-rooted history in the textile industry and culture. The prime location makes it an ideal destination at the intersection of Finland’s major cities, close to international airports and within reach of numerous cultural landmarks and stunning landscapes.

For guests searching for an active holiday, there is a range of things to do, including canoeing, fishing, cycling, golf, horseback riding and hiking. During winter, guests can explore the snowy landscape when snowshoeing, ice swimming or skiing. Two nearby national parks also have opportunities to enjoy the attractive nature of Finland.

“For a lakeside experience, guests can enjoy an unforgettable private stay at The Great Oak, a beautiful modern holiday house with a lovely fireplace, terrace and sauna with hot tub,” says Maury. “It’s perfect for lake swimming, cooking smoked fish under a 350-year-old oak tree, or ice fishing in winter.” For those seeking something more adventurous, there’s the option of visiting Lapland with the hosts, all the way to Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost area.

The house of Scandinavian leadership

The villa was originally built for the directors of the Finlayson factory. Maury´s grandfather was one of them. Later, NHL coach Alpo Suhonen renovated the villa and lived here over 20 years.

For business travellers, this house of Scandinavian leadership offers a deep dive into the essence of Finnish leadership, focusing on three core principles; simplicity, involvement and sustainability. Maury, who is also known as a business coach and strategist, bought the villa a few years ago.

Villaforss is far more than just a place to stay; it showcases Finnish history, culture and lifestyle. “Guests leave with memories and a deep connection to the traditions and stories embedded in the villa’s walls,” Maury concludes.

Web: www.villaforss.fi
Facebook: Villaforss
Instagram: @villaforss1903
Email: villaforss@villaforss.fi