a design hotel in the finnish archipelago

Upcoming workshop

textile retreat with miriam parkman

holiday

celebrate christmas in the archipelago

A dream collaboration of mother and daughter team, Jannika Reed and Sage Reed, Hotel Svala offers a unique stay in the rural beauty of the Åland Archipelago.

Originally built as a hospital in 1931, this incredible building was remodeled and re-conceived in 1971 as a stylish hotel. Today, the Hotel Svala is newly updated with a focus on design and sustainability, while maintaining its original charm and attention to its local histories and significance.

gallery

located in

the åland archipelago

svala is the swedish word for a swallow, sval means airy or cool.

swal·low \ˈswä-(ˌ)lō\ any of a family (Hirundinidae) of small graceful swift-flying, insect-eating passerine birds with long, pointed wings and a forked tail, including the barn swallow and purple martin: most species migrate, often between widely separated summer and winter homes.

In Scandinavian folklore, the swallow is a symbol of good fortune, protection, and safe return.

Each summer, swallows make their way back to Scandinavia, often returning to the very same nests they left the year before. This faithful migration has long been seen as a sign of renewal and the changing of the seasons. Like the swallow, we hope our guests return again and again, finding comfort, warmth, and a sense of home each time.

Traditionally, a swallow nesting near a home was believed to guard it from misfortune, including fire and lightning. Their presence was thought to bring peace and prosperity.

Swallows also carry deep meaning in maritime culture. To ensure a safe journey, sailors would tattoo a single swallow before setting sail and earn a second only upon their safe return to port. Legend holds that if a sailor drowned, swallows would carry his soul to heaven—making them enduring symbols of protection, safe passage, and eternal peace.
Locals have even long looked to swallows for signs of the weather: flying high predicts sunshine, while flying low warns of rain.
For us, the swallow embodies a spirit of welcome, guidance, and the joy of returning. It’s a tribute to tradition, a nod to the rhythm of travel, and a promise that you’ll always have a place to land.