KALLIOKUMPU ECO LODGE
Curated Archipelago Experience
OUR STORY - Why we chose to live in the Finnish archipelago
From creating worlds to living in the heart of nature.
It all began with the theater.
And with the sauna.
Rebecca worked as a dramaturg, Sami as a video artist and scenographer. We met amidst rehearsals, set designs, and the search for moments that truly move people. We created spaces. Atmospheres. Experiences.
But at some point, it became clear: Our own lives no longer mirrored what we were creating.
Too fast. Too cramped. Too loud.
The question arose quietly—and lingered: How do we actually want to live?
The answer began outside. In the forest. By the water. In the silence of the sauna.
With Finnfloat, the first Finnish sauna raft in Germany, we brought a piece of that experience to Berlin. A place of warmth, of peace, of connection. People came—and breathed a sigh of relief.
And as this place grew, we changed too.
Sami immersed himself in nature coaching, Rebecca in relaxation work and Finnish sauna culture.
What began as a project became a direction. And finally, a decision.
We let go of our old life. Gave notice on our apartment. At the same time, we were expecting our second child. And we set off.
A year in a campervan, with two children, traveling between places, questions, and possibilities.
What remained was not uncertainty. But clarity. Now. Or never. We weren’t looking for a retreat.
We were looking for a place where we could truly live. And we found it in the Finnish archipelago.
On the island of Vartsala, in Kustavi, a longing became a concrete place: Kalliokumpu Eco Lodge.
A place where we live, work, and welcome guests. Defined by sauna, nature, archipelago-style cuisine, and genuine connection. Not a hotel. Not a concept in the traditional sense. But a place in tune with the rhythm of the forest, water, and seasons.
A place where time becomes tangible again.
Kalliokumpu is the result of a decision: for a life outdoors. for simplicity. for depth.
And an invitation to everyone who feels that things can be different.
"We believe in places that are more than just a destination.
Places that open something within us.
Places that remind us what life feels like.
Places of happiness!"
Rebecca & Sami
THE HOSTS
Hospitality in tune with nature
We believe in a simple form of luxury:
Time. Silence. Warmth. Nature.
Places where people arrive, take a deep breath—and rediscover what truly matters.
Our hospitality doesn’t follow a set formula.
It arises from what’s already there: the forest, the sea, the fire, the season.
And from the joy of sharing this experience.
Rebecca Lang
Rebecca comes from the theater.
As a dramaturg, she spent many years creating spaces that move people.
Today, she creates such spaces in nature.
In Helsinki, she trained to become a sauna master, relaxation therapist, and sauna yoga instructor.
Her work combines this experience with a deep connection to Finnish culture and landscape.
For her, the sauna is more than just a place of warmth.
It is a space for awareness, for letting go, for regeneration.
Rebecca is the founder of Finnfloat and Finnspirit—and has been bringing people to Finland and into nature for many years.
What sets her apart are clear, effective rituals:
Warmth. Water. Scent. Silence.
And the ability to create an atmosphere that sustains.
Sami Bill
Sami is a German-Finnish man who has felt at home outdoors since childhood. As an artist, he worked internationally in theater and opera for many years before turning his focus entirely to nature.
Today he lives and works in the archipelago—as a photographer, printmaker, and nature coach.
His work is guided by a clear vision:
to reconnect people—with nature and with themselves.
This philosophy is reflected in the kitchen in a special way. Sami cooks for guests personally—seasonally, precisely, and inspired by what the forest and sea provide. His approach combines Nordic clarity with a deep understanding of the ingredients’ place and origin—right down to gathering and preparing them together.
In addition to the archipelago, he is repeatedly drawn to Lapland. There, he worked as a dog sled guide and continues to engage deeply with Sámi culture as well as the visible changes brought about by climate change. These experiences flow into his work—subtly, yet tangibly.
Kalliokumpu isn't just a place we run. It's the place where we live. And we share it with those who want to be a part of it, even if just for a moment.
Rebecca & Sami