Smoke sauna on an island

The smoke sauna is located on its own island on the Silma property, in the middle of the lake. A bridge over the water leads to the island; it is surrounded by water and forest. The island is immediately adjacent to the Silma Nature Reserve — it is also a bird sanctuary with an exceptionally high diversity of bird species. The sauna is an authentic smoke sauna — there is no chimney and the smoke moves through the steam room. Heating takes an entire day, so the smoke sauna evening begins at 17:00, when the stones are fully heated, the ash has been removed, the room aired out and the steam is soft and balanced. It is the residual heat of the stones that gives the steam its characteristic gentleness. The enjoyment of steam in a smoke sauna is hard to describe — it can only be experienced. Comfortably and year-round the smoke sauna fits up to ten people. In good weather there is also enough space on the island for a larger group to spend time outdoors. For this there is, among other things, a bench and table, as well as camping chairs. Swimming is possible year-round. In winter an aerator keeps the swimming area free of ice, so you can jump directly into the lake from the steam room even when there is ice all around. The sauna anteroom has a sofa, chairs and a table, as well as a kitchenette. The kitchenette has a coffee machine, fridge, kitchen utensils, dishes, etc. In summer there is hot water in the kitchen and tap water in the sauna. In winter the water is switched off and the sauna returns to its original state: water is brought from the lake, hot water is kept in a tank and cold water in a barrel. Next to the sauna there is a hammock for relaxing. Just before the bridge to the island there is an outhouse for the smoke sauna guests. You can row on the lake with a rowboat and also fish during the sauna. At the same time smoked fish or something else tasty can be prepared in the Tamme smoke oven or on the Kamado Joe grill. Our tradition is to offer smoke sauna guests ember-baked potatoes, served with butter and coarse salt. A birch whisk is always included in the package. At night the stars are magnificent to watch here and sometimes the northern lights have been seen. The island and the smoke sauna are located in the middle of the forest, which makes this place magical. For the duration of an event the island and the smoke sauna are for the exclusive use of your group — there are no other guests here at the same time.

Päkapikumaja is one of Silma’s most distinctive places to stay – a concrete basement apartment blending into the forest, whose moss-covered roof, curved forms and expansive glass surfaces connect the house with the surrounding nature. Here, nature begins right outside the door, yet no compromises have been made when it comes to comfort and luxury. The interior brings together vaulted ceilings, a suspended fireplace, top Italian and French design, art, and carefully selected materials and details. The house has a bedroom with a wide double bed, an open-plan living and dining area, a kitchen and a bathroom. The exceptionally comfortable sofa bed in the living room provides sleeping space for two more guests. Päkapikumaja is made of concrete, which helps keep the indoor climate pleasant all year round – warm in winter and cool in summer. Comfort is ensured by underfloor heating based on geothermal energy, air conditioning, and everything needed for a comfortable stay. Behind the glass doors, the house continues as a flowing thermally modified ash terrace that follows the building’s own soft lines and blends into the forest. Next to the terrace, beneath a large oak tree, awaits a private wood-fired hot tub, where both the bubble function and coloured lighting can be switched on. In the evenings, an illuminated parasol creates an inviting atmosphere on the terrace; its colours and lighting modes can be selected with a remote control. A unique part of Päkapikumaja is the wine cellar, which is entirely at the guests’ disposal. It is not merely a place to store wine, but part of the house’s concept – a separate room with a wine menu where guests can choose wines and sparkling drinks to suit their taste. Päkapikumaja is the perfect accommodation for those attending an event at Silma who wish to experience something more than just a place to spend the night. After the event, you can wind down in peace, enjoy wine, the fireplace or the hot tub, and wake up in the middle of the forest. Haapsalu city centre is just a five-minute drive away, yet at Päkapikumaja the city feels much farther away.

Silma glamping is located away from the rest of the complex, on the edge of the forest and bog – a place surrounded by nature, silence and open space. It is Silma’s most secluded accommodation, reached by a boardwalk, where the entire area is reserved exclusively for glamping guests. At the heart of the glamping site is a luxurious 28 m² tent that combines being in nature with genuine comforts. Instead of a conventional tent floor, it features an insulated Kodiak spruce plank floor – a rare solution in glamping that gives the tent a completely different level of comfort and quality. The tent has a wide double bed, a wood-burning fireplace, electricity and hot water, as well as a kitchenette with a refrigerator, capsule coffee machine, kettle and toaster. Bed linen, towels, bathrobes and slippers are provided for guests. The tent also has a minibar, whose contents are available for an additional charge. In front of the tent is a 40 m² terrace that serves as the glamping site's outdoor living room – a place to eat, grill or simply watch the bog and everything happening above it. The terrace has a parasol and sun loungers, and its open location makes it one of the best places at Silma to enjoy the sun in peace. The glamping site lies along a bird flight corridor, and birds are constantly flying over the bog here. Because of the bog landscape, the entire glamping area has been built on stilts: nearly 170 m² of terraces and wooden walkways in total, connecting the tent, sauna, outdoor toilet and other parts of the glamping site into one whole. This makes it possible to move around and spend time comfortably in the middle of the bog while leaving the surrounding nature as undisturbed as possible. When darkness falls, the area is transformed completely – both the wooden walkways and the edges of the terraces are illuminated, while thoughtfully designed outdoor lighting creates a completely unique atmosphere in the middle of the bog. The glamping site has its own wood-fired Finnish sauna, which is also entirely for the guests’ use. The separate barrel sauna has a changing room, a shower area with hot water and a sink, and a steam room. A ceramic grill is also available on the terrace. The glamping site is suitable as accommodation for guests attending an event at Silma, offering them a completely private experience alongside the event. At the end of the day, you can return here along the boardwalk, enjoy the sauna, light the fireplace in the tent and settle into the silence of the bog – still at Silma, yet pleasantly far from the rest of the world.

Built in 1906, Silma Hunting Lodge is the historic heart of Silma Retreat. Completely renovated in 2021, the building preserves the architecture and character of the historic hunting lodge while combining them with luxurious modern comfort and world-class design. The interior features marble and other high-quality materials, furniture custom-made specifically for the Hunting Lodge, and internationally renowned design. The bespoke furniture is complemented by, among other pieces, an Edra sofa, a Tai Ping rug, and lighting by leading designers. Attention to detail extends from the bathroom fittings and hardware to the switches and sockets – the entire house has been designed as one coherent whole. The Hunting Lodge is rented out in its entirety to one group and accommodates up to nine people. The ground floor comprises a spacious living and dining area, a fully equipped kitchen with a large marble island, a study-bedroom with a sofa bed, and one of the three bathrooms. At the heart of the living room is a fireplace made of green glazed tiles. Tall, airy windows bring abundant natural light into the rooms and open up views of the nature surrounding Silma. A restored Art Nouveau staircase leads to the second floor, where the bedrooms, two bathrooms, two terraces, and a cosy reading area with a Focus-style metal fireplace are located. One of the Hunting Lodge’s highlights is the master bathroom, with tall windows and an exceptionally high ceiling, featuring a freestanding bathtub and marble surfaces. Despite its historic character, the Hunting Lodge is technically modern and a fully breathable house. Heat-recovery ventilation ensures fresh air and a good indoor climate year-round, a ground-source heating system provides even warmth during colder periods, and cooling units in all main rooms, including the bedrooms, maintain a comfortable temperature on warmer summer days. The Hunting Lodge is surrounded by Silma’s spacious grounds and nature. In the immediate vicinity of the house is a private, eye-shaped outdoor concrete pool, which can be heated for an additional fee. Silma Hunting Lodge combines the character of a historic house, world-class design, and luxurious modern accommodation – in a private setting amid the nature of Silma.

The Silma Retreat property extends to the Silma Nature Reserve – an internationally important migration, nesting and stopover area for waterbirds, where more than 200 bird species have been observed. Among other species, the area is home to swans, cranes, herons and white-tailed eagles, and the rare and colourful kingfisher has also been spotted at Silma. Birdwatching is led by an ornithologist and the excursion lasts approximately 1.5 hours. During the excursion, you will move between different habitats and observation sites on the Silma Retreat property – along the lake and boat channel, on the hill and in the forest. This means that a single excursion may offer the chance to see a wide variety of waterbirds, coastal birds and forest birds. The charm of birdwatching lies in the fact that you never know in advance which species you will encounter on that particular day. On some days, the focus may be on a white-tailed eagle; on others, on cranes, swans or perhaps a rarer visitor. The ornithologist will help identify the birds seen and talk about their behaviour, habitats and the birdlife of the area. The price of birdwatching is €40 / person. The necessary observation equipment is included in the price. Birdwatching is available from March to October. The periods richest in birdlife coincide with the spring and autumn migrations, but the species visible and their numbers depend on the season, weather and the movement of the birds.