Octola to open secret Lapland luxury retreat for wealthy travellers

A new luxury retreat in Lapland will open in December, targeting wealthy travellers, Yle reports. The location of Octola III is being kept secret to protect guests’ privacy.

Octola III is part of the Octola Private Wilderness brand, which already operates other luxury accommodation. The brand’s website lists Prince Albert of Monaco as a recommender. CNN has also reported on the new retreat, saying a night there will cost at least about 20,000 euros.

Entrepreneur Janne Honkanen, who owns Octola and other luxury accommodation businesses, said the company is selective about its guests. Wealth alone does not guarantee a booking.

“Sometimes we have to turn down an offer because we want guests who appreciate Arctic nature and have a good background,” Honkanen told CNN. He said he did not want reality TV stars and had rejected bookings from the Kardashian production company because reality TV guests seek something the company does not want.

Lapland has attracted international celebrities including footballer Lionel Messi, reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian and actor Sydney Sweeney. Privacy is one reason celebrities visit, Kenneth Tuomi, chief executive of Santa Park and Pro Santa Oy, told Yle earlier this year.