Sustainability in Sahanlahti Resort
The family-owned Sahanlahti Resort is located on the shores of Lake Saimaa in Puumala, in a culturally and historically significant sawmill environment. At Sahanlahti, we take care of our guests, the environment, and the community with the dignity they deserve.
We train, guide, and encourage our staff to act responsibly.
Sahanlahti has two certifications that demonstrate its commitment to responsibility. The certificate from the Finnish Organic Tourism Association ECEAT communicates ecological and cultural sustainability. The Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) certificate from VisitFinland also communicates responsibility to our international visitors. You can read more about this label on the Visit Finland website.
We care for the environment
We take great care of our culturally and historically unique sawmill environment and our modern facilities. All the buildings on our premises are made of Finnish wood, and some of our cottages are located in areas that are in their natural state.
The company's premises are partly heated using renewable energy (approximately one-third of the buildings are heated using bioenergy and air source heat pumps). We keep the temperature low in vacant rooms and cottages.
We sort and recycle mixed, organic, glass, and metal waste and encourage our customers to do the same. We only use environmentally friendly detergents for cleaning and laundry. We also strive to use cloth napkins and cloth seat covers in our saunas.
Sahanlahti Resort is also involved in protecting the Saimaa ringed seal, which is classified as critically endangered.
We favor local
Supporting the local economy is important to us. We are happy to tell our customers about the services offered by local entrepreneurs. By recommending and using the services of local companies, we support the activities of entrepreneurs in the area.
Our full-time employees are locals and residents of neighboring municipalities. During the high season, we employ 35 people. This is how we ensure the vitality of our region.
Local food with love
We favor seasonal products and use ingredients from small producers. D.O. Saimaa products are an important part of our operations and food philosophy. This quality label guarantees that the ingredients we use are produced or manufactured responsibly, with high quality, and locally. D.O. Saimaa reflects our commitment to sustainable development, supporting local producers, and respecting the environment.
Local food producers are listed on the menu and also highlighted on a local map displayed on the restaurant wall.
There is strength
in cooperation
Sahanlahti Resort has been involved in many business group projects that develop tourism in the Puumala area in collaboration with other entrepreneurs in the region. The company is also a member of the Saimaa Coop Cooperative, whose mission is to create conditions for and promote good cooperation in the Saimaa region. The entrepreneurs in the cooperative are working together to develop an electric bike rental network in Puumala, with Sahanlahti responsible for the business operations together with other entrepreneurs.
Sahanlahti Resort is one of four companies in the Saimaa Gastronomy network. The network's food weekends, based on pure local ingredients and seasonal products, won the 2019 Best Food Tourism Product in Finland award.
Local culture
and traditions
Sahanlahti Resort is located in the culturally and historically significant and valuable environment of the Miettula sawmill, which was founded in the 18th century. Sahanlahti is also the birthplace of Elsa Heporauda, founder of Kalevala Korut and the Kalevala Women's Association. The entrepreneurial couple cherishes the old sawmill buildings by renovating and maintaining them. The newer buildings in the area have been constructed to complement the old environment. Some of the old buildings in the area serve as museums showcasing local history.
The Finnish sauna tradition was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List on December 17, 2020. Here in Sahanlahti, you can learn about the Finnish sauna tradition. Our area has an electric sauna, a smoke sauna, a traditional wood-fired sauna, and, as a winter speciality, an ice sauna.
We welcome everyone
We treat our employees, guests, and local residents equally and with respect, regardless of their background.
We take people's special needs into account in our operations.