KELO

Kelo was once a living pine tree that grew strong over centuries, enduring Arctic winds and the endless nights of summer. In time, its life slowed, the tree dried while standing, and became kelo. Kelo pines in Lapland are often very old, easily reaching 500 years of age. The result is exceptionally durable, beautiful and timeless wood. Its resin-rich core keeps it strong, serving as a reminder of nature’s resilience in harsh Arctic conditions.

Kelo is not just wood. It is history, strength and character. For centuries, people in Lapland have valued kelo timber and used it to build long-lasting structures that blend into the rugged beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Our company’s name comes from the kelo pine. The kelo timber used in the construction of our hotel symbolises everything we cherish at Kelo: permanence, authenticity and respect for nature. This is how the name Kelo Resort was born.

HISTORY

The Hetta–Pallas area is a pioneer of tourism in Lapland. It was already known as a hiking and skiing destination in the 1930s, and in 1938 Finland’s first fell hotel, Hotel Pallas, opened there. The original hotel was destroyed during the Second World War, but was later rebuilt.

In the 1960s, Hotel Vuontispirtti was established in the village of Yli-Kyrö in Enontekiö and went on to become one of Lapland’s most significant tourism destinations. For many, Vuontispirtti served as a gateway to the wilderness and a first encounter with Lapland’s silence. Until 1987 it operated under private ownership, after which parishes from across Finland continued its activities. Over time, however, the building fell into disrepair and was left waiting for a new beginning.

THE STORY OF KELO

In the summer of 2024, a group of entrepreneurs united by their love for Lapland and its nature learned that the old Vuontispirtti was for sale. They saw the area’s potential and the opportunity for a new beginning, guided by responsibility and respect for both history and the natural environment.

The renewed hotel opened on the 1st November 2025 as a full-service boutique resort. This is only the first chapter. Our vision is to grow into a year-round gem of Lapland, a place that cannot be fully explained, but must be experienced for yourself.

INSPIRED BY NATURE

Kelo Resort is a place where Lapland’s nature takes centre stage. Everything is shaped around it. The architecture blends into the landscape, views open onto the fells, and experiences are born from the surrounding wilderness. At Restaurant Jäkälä, flavours are also drawn from Lapland’s nature, from wild herbs and berries to pure, local ingredients.

Whether you are in your room, out in the courtyard or dining behind the restaurant’s panoramic windows, nature is always close by. Here, silence can truly be heard.

WHY KELO?

At Kelo, you experience the true essence of Lapland—nature, silence, and presence. Things that cannot be rushed or replicated. They are not add-on services, but the very core of everything we do.

We are located on the edge of Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park, in an area known for having some of the cleanest air and deepest silence in the world. Snow covers the ground for an average of around 200 days each year, and the northern lights can be seen on up to approximately 200 nights annually. The region is among the most snow-reliable and least light-polluted areas in Finland. Here, the sky is truly dark, allowing stars and auroras to shine brightly.

Kelo is a boutique resort for those who value peace, space, and meaningful moments. Our service is personal and unhurried. Every guest is met as a person, not a room number.

FACTS ABOUT KELO

We are located in one of Finland’s most snow-reliable areas, with snow covering the ground for an average of over 200 days each year.

Nature begins right at your doorstep. Kelo is located on the edge of Pallas–Yllästunturi National Park.

The area is known for having some of the cleanest air in the world and is home to an official air quality monitoring station.

The northern lights can be observed on up to approximately 200 nights each year.

Reindeer roam the area year-round and may even wander into the hotel grounds.

Hundreds of species of wild herbs, berries, and mushrooms grow in the surrounding area.

On clear days, fell views extend for tens of kilometers.

The region is among the least light-polluted in Finland, offering an exceptionally clear night sky.

In midwinter, the polar night lasts for approximately one month.

In summer, the sun does not set for around 45 days, bathing everything in the light of the midnight sun.