The story

When the Finnish Holiday Association searched for a place for a holiday resort in Central Finland in 1948, “an area of ​​a particularly suitable holiday resort was found in Keuruu”. The magnificent lagoon of Keurusselkä’s Karpinlahti with its sandy beaches bathed in the sun, the back of the lake opening to the west bore far to the horizon.

The attitude of the Serlachius family was crucial for the Holiday Hotel to be born in Keuruu. As early as the 1870s, Gustaf Adolf Serlachius had admired Lake Keurusselkä and designed a waterway from Tampere to Keuruu. This did not materialize, but in 1948 the lands donated and leased to Holiday Association by R. Erik Serlachius laid the beginning for the development of tourism in the area.

There were enough skeptics for the project. “What’s the point of making a hotel in the wilderness, in the middle of the woods and by the lake?” Construction work progressed rapidly and Holiday Hotel Keurusselkä was inaugurated on 15 July 1949. The spacious two-storey building comprised 32 accommodation rooms, spacious social rooms and other necessary facilities. Immediately after opening, the holiday hotel was a really popular, scenic holiday destination.

The holiday hotel also established itself as a meeting place. Internationality was opened by the 1951 Tourism Conference, which was attended by more than 50 professionals from 8 countries. In 1952, a two-week, international Social Work Seminar was held with 62 participants from 15 countries.

The operations of the Holiday Association grew steadily and hotels were also acquired elsewhere in Finland. At the end of the 1970s, Lomaliitto received public support of FIM 3.3 million from the state budget and two million from RAY, a total of more than any other organization in Finland. With the money, about 4,000 families received a completely free vacation and 15,000 families received a substantial discount on their vacation.

As demand increased, the Holiday Hotel premises became too small.

The holiday association strongly believed that investing in a new hotel in Keuruu was worthwhile. In this way, more holidaymakers can be received and even large conferences can be held.

Mänttä’s paper lords again played a significant role when the expansion was planned. Additional plot land was required for construction, which was again purchased by G.A. from Serlachius Oy. In 1972, construction began on a new hotel building next to the Holiday Hotel, which expanded until 1977. The official opening of the new hotel and restaurant complex was held in April 1977. At the same time, the name was changed from Lomahotelli to Hotelli Keurusselkä.

A vibrant travel center for entertaining at work and in leisure

Hotel Keurusselkä’s reputation was phenomenal and the occupancy rate was really high. In extreme distress, even small group meeting rooms were harnessed for accommodation use.

The spectrum of meetings and conferences was huge: various seminars, talent days, planning days, election ceremonies, trainings, product launches… Versatile facilities indoors and outdoors were widely used by the groups. Customers consisted of almost all areas of society in Finland and internationally.

In 1986, the ship Elias Lönnrot was inaugurated, thus starting regular scheduled traffic. The ship of the same name sailed on Lake Keurusselkä as early as the end of the 19th century, and the novelty was hugely popular at the beginning.

Accommodation services diversified when the first phase of the Keurusharju cottage village was completed in 1991.

Many remember how there was a growd on the hotel’s dance floor every day of the week. Monday’s fast-paced evenings drew entertainment around the province, as the performers were Finland’s top names. Likewise, the summer grill and barbecue evenings on the terrace are a classic that is still talked about. The reputation of Keurusselkä chef’s pepper steak was unbeatable.

The holiday union’s finances practically relied entirely on Hotel Keurusselkä’s income throughout its operation. The association eventually owned seven hotels from Espoo to Ylläs and Kalajoki to Savonlinna, in addition to numerous campsites throughout Finland. The losses of all other resorts were paid from Keuruu. The economic equation was ultimately impossible and the Holiday Association went bankrupt in 2009.

Finnish tourism history has been written on the shores of Keurusselkä for over seven decades. The year 2025 marked the beginning of a new era for us, when the historical operators of the area united under one name: Keurusselkä Resort. This change brings together the valuable heritage of the coastal landscape, diverse services and a bright vision for the future. When you step into our area, you step into a whole where a new era of well-being begins with a solid experience.

Accommodation for every taste

We offer restful sleep to almost 400 guests. You can choose from comfortable hotel rooms, the Keurusharju Holiday Cottages offering your own peace in the middle of nature, and the unique Holiday Hostel, completed in 1949. The hostel exudes authentic 50s elegance, which is difficult to find elsewhere. Presidents, artists and world travelers have enjoyed themselves in the shelter of this stone house. And if these walls could talk, they would have incredible stories to tell.

A center for entertainment, flavors and experiences

Keurusselkä Resort lives in the rhythm of nature all year round. In the summer, our terrace is filled with lake views and food prepared over a real fire. As autumn and winter approach, the house is filled with light and music, as the country’s top performers take to the stage to create an atmosphere that many artists consider one of the best in Finland.

The nature surrounding Keurusselkä offers a setting for all kinds of activities. You can seek peace of mind on forest trails or get your heart rate up with a variety of sports opportunities. There are many activities on offer, but for many, the sparkle of Lake Keurusselkä and the clean air are enough.

Keurusselkä is also unparalleled as a center for parties, events and meetings.

Welcome to create new stories with us!