Enchanting Shanti holiday homes in Estonia
We have found a new favorite! Shanti holiday houses are luxurious forest cottages located in Laoküla, just 1 hour away from Tallinn, where you can find the peace and relaxation you have been looking for yourself and your companion.
Specifically, Shanti holiday houses consist of two holiday houses - Aasamaja and Metsamaja, which are the perfect size for two or a family of up to four. Everything necessary for life is neatly accommodated in an optimal space, where every detail has been thought out impeccably. Both houses also include enchanting panoramic saunas, fireplaces, and covered terraces, so you can enjoy outdoor dining even throughout the year.
Upon arrival at Shanti holiday home, we were greeted by a pleasant wild nature and a sweet welcome snack with a cold sparkling drink - a perfect start to a nice romantic mini-vacation! This time we stayed in Aasa house, but we would definitely like to try Metsa house next time. The surroundings of the houses were inviting to explore - upon arrival, I took four slow walks around the courtyard because the trees, bonfire sites, rocks, rustling of the wind, and wild strawberries simply called for a closer look, until the expected summer rain finally directed me indoors to shelter.
Both Shanti holiday homes have the same layout, but mirrored - on the ground floor, you will find a beautiful spacious living room, a small open kitchen, and a shower room. The staircase leads to the second floor where the bedroom is located, along with a very comfortable book selection and a work desk, so if needed, you can also work remotely in Shanti holiday home - Wi-Fi is also available for that purpose!
Already on the evening of our arrival, we both realized that this house is very calm and relaxing, and it was confirmed by the night when we both slept so deeply that we probably didn't move the entire night.This is a big deal because, as I mentioned before, I usually have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places.
The rainy weather certainly contributed as well, making it especially pleasant to observe nature while curled up on the couch.
Certainly, the secluded location of the house helped too, as the roaring storm and rain could only be sensed through the large window. And as if on cue, the woodland creatures also moved by the window in the evening and morning - this time we were lucky to see both a fox and a deer.
And it's always such a great relief when attention is paid to blackout curtains in a holiday home - just like in Shanti holiday home, where each window is equipped with blackout blinds. You can lower the blinds of the large high window at the end of the day using the remote control next to the bed - so convenient :) 
Aasamaja is sunnier and offers a slightly more expansive view. Here you will find an award-winning mirror sauna with a panoramic view and a gentle steam provided by an electric stove - particularly suitable for those who love comfort and don't want to bother with heating the sauna. 
In the kitchen, there is a refrigerator with a small freezer, a kettle, and a toaster. All the necessary utensils are neatly available, and on the shelf, there are the hosts' own naturally grown and dried herbal teas, which seem perfect for a rainy summer evening.
On-site, there are mosquito repellents and coffee available, and candles and incense help create a more pleasant atmosphere. And what's even more convenient - in the Shanti holiday house, it is possible to invite a masseur to make relaxation even more enjoyable. We definitely plan to use this option next time!
In front of the sauna, there are benches where you can take a break, cool down, and listen to the birdsong. You can directly access the bathroom from the sauna to wash up, while enjoying the view of the green meadow. Every high-quality detail speaks of a highly thoughtful and customer-centric vision that has been emphasized greatly - both of us agreed that in our eyes, it is the most customer-centric and well-thought-out holiday house accommodation service we have visited so far!
The Forest House is wilder and more private. Here you can heat up the mesmerizing panoramic sauna with firewood and instead of a TV, there is a large crystal mandala on the wall. Both houses also have a roofed terrace with a small Kamado grill and a dining table, which can also serve as a pleasant remote work spot, but primarily, it is a place created for relaxation...
A roofed terrace is highly welcomed in our climate as it is essentially an extension of the house itself, allowing you to be outdoors and enjoy nature even in rainy weather.
I repeatedly made myself a cup of hot tea, took a blanket in my arms, and created a cozy nest on the terrace where I could enjoy the rain and occasionally go picking wild strawberries. And there are plenty of wild strawberries around Shanti holiday house! Additionally, you can find various herbs in different corners of the garden that can also be used for making tea :)
Some Shanti holiday house visitors say that Pakri Peninsula is the closest coastal area to Tallinn that is still undeveloped. Others believe it is the best place to explore Southeast Estonia and Lääne County. And there are those who praise the calming energy of Shanti holiday houses. It seems they are all correct.
Due to its sparse population, Shanti holiday house is quiet and peaceful, yet it can be reached from Tallinn in less than an hour.
And even by train! For example, a train ride from Balti Station to Laoküla stop takes only 52 minutes and the stop is only 700 meters away from the holiday houses at the end of a dead-end road. The Tallinn-Paldiski train operates in both directions every hour, providing good connections to restaurants, grocery stores, beaches, and even hiking trails. If you want to reach Shanti holiday house with a smaller "carbon footprint," the train is definitely the best choice.
There are also several of Estonia's best beaches, picturesque hiking trails, lakes, castles, parks, and other beautiful natural sites nearby.
Shanti puhkemaja hosts kindly shared good recommendations for nearby activities, and on the second day, we decided to visit the famous Anne koogikodu café in Paldiski - just 9 minutes away. The embarrassingly delicious food makes this café a must-visit if you're exploring the Pakri Peninsula and visiting Shanti holiday houses. We ended up going there three times in a row...
And our second great discovery was the picturesque RMP staircase located on the way to Pakri Lighthouse. In fact, the sign for this staircase should be at least three times larger, as in our eyes, it is an even cooler and more beautiful destination than the Pakri Lighthouse, which is, of course, worth a visit but less interactive. And this scenic spot is only a 12-minute drive from Shanti holiday house.
In Shanti holiday houses, we have found our new go-to vacation spot - the journey there is short and comfortable, the place itself is incredibly calming, and there is so much to see and do in the surrounding area - the entire Pakri Peninsula deserves more attention and visits. Simply perfect for a weekend getaway for two! And imagine how wonderful it can be in autumn when everything turns golden! And if you want to give someone this kind of vacation as a gift, Shanti holiday houses also offer a lovely gift card.
Book Shanti holiday houses HERE.
For more photos and stories from our vacations, follow us on Instagram!
Safe travels!
Liis and Ben