Terms & Conditions

At Orava’s Nest, a unique cabin retreat in Ivalo, Finnish Lapland, we welcome guests who wish to experience the stillness of the northern forests and the slow rhythm of life shaped by the Arctic seasons. These Terms & Conditions are intended to set out, in clear and gentle language, the understandings that apply when you reserve and stay with us. They describe how bookings and payments work, the responsibilities that we each carry, and the principles that guide us in caring for our cabins, our guests, and the surrounding wilderness. By making a reservation with Orava´s Nest, you confirm that you have read and accepted these terms.

1. Introduction

Orava’s Nest is a privately operated cabin retreat located in Ivalo, in the heart of Finnish Lapland, Finland. Our cabin is designed as a quiet, thoughtful space where guests can rest, reconnect with nature, and witness the changing Arctic light. These Terms & Conditions govern all reservations, stays, and related services that we provide through our website or by direct contact with us. Where we refer to “we”, “us”, or “our”, we mean Orava’s Nest; where we refer to “you” or “guest”, we mean the person making a reservation and all members of their travelling party.

These terms apply together with our Privacy Policy and any specific information confirmed in your booking. Should there be any inconsistency, the details set out in your written booking confirmation will prevail for your particular stay, and the remainder of these terms will continue to apply.

2. Bookings & Reservations

Reservations for Orava’s Nest may be made through our website or by contacting us directly using the details provided on our site. When you send a booking request, you are offering to reserve the selected cabin for the specified dates under these Terms & Conditions. A booking is considered confirmed only once we have accepted your request and you have received a written confirmation from us, usually by email. Until then, dates remain available to other guests.

To ensure that each guest has time to settle into the slower rhythm of Lapland, a minimum stay may apply to certain seasons or offers. Where relevant, any minimum-stay requirement will be clearly indicated at the time of booking and in your confirmation. You are responsible for checking that the details in your confirmation (dates, number of guests, and pricing) are accurate and for letting us know promptly if anything appears incorrect.

The person making the reservation must be at least 18 years of age and assumes responsibility for all members of their party, including compliance with these Terms & Conditions and with any house information provided on arrival.

3. Payment

All prices for accommodation and related services are stated, and all payments are processed, in euros (EUR). The rate for your stay will be confirmed at the time of booking in your written reservation details. Unless otherwise specified, 30% of the total amount is payable when you make your booking, with the remaining 70% due two weeks before your arrival date.

We accept commonly used electronic payment methods, which may include major credit and debit cards, secure online payment services, and bank transfers, as indicated on our website or during the booking process. You are responsible for any bank charges or currency conversion fees charged by your card issuer or bank. If payment is not received within the agreed timeframe, we reserve the right to treat the reservation as cancelled in accordance with our cancellation terms.

In some cases, we may ask for a security deposit to cover potential damage or extraordinary cleaning. Where applicable, the amount and conditions of such a deposit will be clearly stated before you complete your booking, and any refundable sum will be handled with care and returned after your stay, subject to inspection of the cabin.

4. Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand that plans sometimes change, and the weather and circumstances that shape life in Lapland can be unpredictable. Should you need to cancel your reservation, we will always do our best to re-let your dates, and if we succeed, a full refund will be offered regardless of the notice given.

Cancellations made more than 60 days before your arrival date will receive a full refund of all payments made. Cancellations between 30 and 60 days before arrival will receive a refund of the 70% balance payment, should it have been collected; the initial 30% deposit is non-refundable. Cancellations made within 30 days of arrival are non-refundable in full.

5. Check-in & Check-out

To allow us to prepare each cabin carefully after one guest and before the next, we follow set arrival and departure times. Unless otherwise stated in your confirmation, check-in is from 16:00, and check-out is by 11:00. If you anticipate arriving later in the evening, or would like to enquire about an early check-in or late check-out, please contact us in advance; we will do our best to accommodate such requests where our schedule allows.

Because Orava’s Nest is situated in a remote Lapland setting, access and key arrangements are designed to be both secure and practical, while still feeling personal and welcoming. In most cases, your hosts will meet you in person, usually at the airport, and drive you through the beautiful surrounding wilderness directly to Orava’s Nest. On arrival at the cabin, you will receive a short introduction and orientation so you can settle in comfortably and feel at home from the very first evening. Before your trip, we will share clear directions to the property and information about how to reach your cabin independently if needed, including details about keys, parking, and any seasonal considerations such as snow or ice on local roads. You are responsible for following the access instructions provided and for returning any physical keys at departure; unreturned keys or access devices may incur a replacement fee.

We kindly ask that you respect check-out times so that we have sufficient unhurried time to refresh the space for the next guests. On departure, please leave the cabin in a reasonable state of order, with windows and doors closed and any fireplaces or stoves safely extinguished in accordance with the guidance provided.

6. Guest Responsibilities

Staying at Orava’s Nest is an invitation to share, for a little while, in the quiet life of the forest. With that comes a gentle responsibility to care for the cabin and its surroundings as if they were your own. During your stay, you agree to use the property, furnishings, equipment, and amenities with care, to report any damage or issues promptly, and to follow any written or verbal guidance we provide for your comfort and safety.

The cabin has a maximum occupancy, which will be specified at the time of booking and in your confirmation. For safety, comfort, and compliance with local regulations, the number of guests staying overnight must not exceed this limit without our prior written agreement. Hosting events, parties, or any commercial activities is not permitted unless expressly agreed in advance.

Respect for nature and for the calm of the surroundings is central to life at Orava’s Nest. We kindly ask you to keep noise at a considerate level, especially during evening and night hours, to stay on marked paths where indicated, and to avoid disturbing local wildlife. Please dispose of waste and recycling as instructed, and never leave food or rubbish outdoors where it may attract animals. Open fires are permitted only in designated areas and in accordance with any seasonal fire restrictions and our guidance on safe use.

All cabins and indoor spaces at Orava’s Nest are strictly non-smoking. This includes the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and similar products. Smoking is permitted only in any specifically designated outdoor areas, if provided, and cigarette waste must be disposed of safely and thoughtfully. If evidence of smoking is found inside the cabin, we may need to charge a reasonable fee to cover deep cleaning and any resulting damage.

Pets are not normally permitted at Orava’s Nest. If you would like to travel with a pet, this must be specially agreed with us in advance and is only possible in exceptional cases. Where we confirm that a pet is allowed, an additional cleaning fee will apply to your stay.

7. Liability

We take great care in preparing our cabins and in providing accurate information about the retreat and its surroundings. However, the essence of Orava’s Nest lies in its setting within Lapland’s wild and changing landscape, where weather, wildlife, and natural conditions are part of the experience and, at times, beyond anyone’s control. Orava’s Nest is an adults-only retreat, welcoming guests aged 18 and over, and we kindly ask that all visitors respect this policy. When staying with us, you acknowledge that activities in and around the property, including walking on uneven or snowy ground, using fireplaces or saunas, or observing wildlife, carry inherent risks. You agree to take reasonable care for your own safety and that of any companions in your party.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we are not liable for any loss, damage, or injury that does not arise from our own negligence or breach of contract. In particular, we are not responsible for events or conditions outside our reasonable control, including weather-related disruptions, road closures, power outages caused by external providers, natural phenomena such as snow, ice, darkness, or wildlife encounters, or any changes imposed by public authorities.

We strongly recommend that you obtain suitable travel and health insurance for your trip, including cover for cancellations, interruptions, medical needs, and outdoor activities appropriate to the Arctic environment. Nothing in these Terms & Conditions seeks to exclude or limit any rights you may have as a consumer under mandatory law, nor to exclude or limit our liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

8. Privacy

We handle your personal data with care, in line with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable Finnish data protection laws. The personal information we collect in connection with your reservation and stay is used only for the purposes described in our Privacy Policy, such as managing bookings, communicating with you, and fulfilling our legal obligations. For a detailed description of how we collect, use, store, and protect your data, and of the choices available to you, please refer to our dedicated Privacy Policy and Privacy Choices pages on this site.

By making a reservation with Orava’s Nest, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to review our Privacy Policy and understand how your personal data is processed in connection with your stay.

9. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions, and any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with them or with your stay at Orava´s Nest, are governed by the laws of Finland. As our retreat operates within the European Union, relevant EU regulations, including those relating to consumer protection and data protection, also apply. If any part of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Where you are a consumer resident in the EU, you may have additional rights to bring claims in your country of residence as provided by mandatory law. In all cases, we encourage open, calm dialogue and will do our best to resolve any concerns directly with you.

10. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, about an existing or future reservation, or about your stay at Orava’s Nest more broadly, we invite you to contact us. You can reach us by email at oravasnest@web.de, and we will respond as thoughtfully and promptly as we can, mindful that here in Lapland, even our replies follow the unhurried pace of the seasons.