Retreat House / private sauna & natural pond / no neighbours / art & design

Our Retreat House is not for everyone.

Hidden in the forests of northern Latvia, it is less a holiday home than a place to pause.

Read, heat the wood-fired sauna, swim in the natural pond, collect mushrooms and berries, enjoy the silence.

No programme. No schedule. No expectations.

Open year-round. Winter means a genuinely off-grid experience, with possible periods without electricity or running water and a muddy forest road where a 4×4 may be required.

Discover a hidden gem tucked deep in the forests of northern Latvia, surrounded by wild fields and with no neighbouring houses in sight. The Baltic Sea and nearby inland lakes are around a 15–20 minute drive away.

The Retreat House “Induli” is a carefully preserved 19th-century farmhouse offering a rare sense of calm and simplicity. Originally built around 1890, it has been restored with restraint, retaining its original character while incorporating selected elements of contemporary design and art.

In 2019, the house was featured in “The Estate”, an exhibition at Riga’s contemporary art centre Kim?. Since then, it has also been used for fashion shoots and music videos, and serves as an artist retreat.

The house combines historical furniture with contemporary objects and is ideal for those who appreciate art, design, nature and a certain degree of simplicity, and who are happy to forgo some urban comforts.

Please note

* No Wi-Fi and poor mobile-phone coverage
* A car is strongly recommended; in winter and the in-between seasons, a 4×4 is recommended
* Private wood-fired sauna
* Private natural swimming pond
* Solar electricity with limited capacity
* Electricity is intended for lighting, the water pump, refrigerator and charging phones or computers only
* Please do not use high-consumption electrical appliances such as kettles, hairdryers, heaters, coffee machines or similar devices
* During periods of little or no sunshine, the battery may run out and there may be no electricity
* From October to April, and whenever there is prolonged cloudy weather, electricity availability can be very limited or unavailable altogether. For winter stays the fully charged house batteries will be installed at the house by the housekeeper before your arrival. However, due to the limited winter sunlight, they may not charge much. Please check the battery level (%) on the solar inverter next to the bathroom in the main house and use electricity thoughtfully.
* The kitchen has a gas stove, refrigerator and sink
* Candles and lanterns are provided in case of a power shortage; a power bar is available for charging phones
* Electricity is available only in the main house. The sauna, dining barn and relaxation areas do not have electricity

The Retreat House includes

1. Main house with two bedrooms, living room with sofa bed, kitchen and bathroom with sink and shower
2. Traditional barn with dining area and large table
3. Contemporary wood-fired sauna house
4. Traditional black sauna — for experienced sauna users and connoisseurs
5. Natural pond for swimming
6. Outhouse dry toilet
7. BBQ and outdoor dining tables

Things to do

* Sunbathe, read and enjoy the sauna, followed by a swim in the pond
* Pick mushrooms and berries in the surrounding forest
* Swim in nearby lakes or the Baltic Sea
* Walk through the forest and along the river
* Explore the nearby swamp trails and observation towers
* Or simply stay at the house and enjoy the silence

Nearby destinations

Salacgrīva — approx. 20 minutes

A small coastal town with grocery stores and everyday essentials, a picturesque harbour, a local market and an excellent Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzeria.

Limbaži — approx. 40 minutes

A historic town with shops and a weekly farmers’ market.

If you are without a car, bicycles can be rented in Salacgrīva. The ride to the Retreat House follows quiet forest roads with little traffic.

Distances

* Riga Airport — approx. 1.5 hours
* Pärnu, Estonia — approx. 1 hour
* Baltic Sea — approx. 15–20 minutes
* Salacgrīva — approx. 20 minutes
* Limbaži — approx. 40 minutes

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Winter Stays

The Retreat House is open all year, but winter is a fundamentally different experience.

Induļi becomes a simple, off-grid hideaway for people who enjoy slowing down, living with nature and giving up some of the conveniences of a conventional holiday home.

Please read this section carefully before booking a winter stay.

Electricity

The house has no connection to the public electricity grid. It uses a small solar-and-battery system.

During autumn and winter, short days and cloudy weather can mean that the batteries are not sufficiently recharged. There may therefore be no electricity at all during your stay.

When electricity is available, it is intended for basic lighting and charging phones or computers. It is not intended for electric heating, kettles, hairdryers, coffee machines or other high-consumption appliances.

Please plan your stay accordingly.

Water

There is no running water when temperatures drop below freezing. The natural pond freezes during the winter and the water system is shut down to protect the pipes from freezing.

Guests therefore need to bring sufficient drinking water for their stay. Bottled water will be provided during the winter months for washing dishes, basic personal hygiene and other needs.

The composting outhouse works year-round and does not require water or electricity.

Heating

The living room and kitchen are heated by a traditional wood-burning stove, which also provides heat to the two bedrooms.

The bathroom is not heated, so warm clothing and suitable sleepwear are essential during the colder months.

Pre-heating of the house and sauna is available for an additional charge.

Cooking

Cooking is possible without electricity using the gas stove in the kitchen.

Sauna

The wood-fired sauna is available throughout the year and includes a small heated relaxation/changing room.

In summer, you can cool off in the natural pond directly beside the sauna.

Winter sauna use is possible when conditions allow. The pond may be frozen, but a hole can be cut into the ice for those who wish to take a traditional cold plunge. This can be arranged for an additional charge.

Access

The final 500 metres to the Retreat House are along a muddy forest road.

During wet weather, snowmelt or heavy rain, this section can become extremely muddy.

With a standard passenger car, we recommend parking at the final intersection and walking the remaining distance.

Only continue to the house if:

* you have a suitable vehicle, ideally a 4×4;
* you are comfortable driving on unpaved forest roads; and
* you have checked the road conditions beforehand.

Day Sauna Retreats

During the colder months, the Retreat House can also be booked as a private sauna retreat for the day, without an overnight stay.

Is this place for you?

The Retreat House is intentionally simple and immersed in nature. It is not a luxury resort and is not designed to provide all the conveniences of a conventional holiday home.

If you appreciate silence, wood fires, star-filled skies, sauna, nature and the experience of living off-grid, you will likely love it here.

If reliable electricity, running water, heated bedrooms or conventional bathroom facilities are important to you, Induļi is probably not the right place for your stay.

Looking ahead

Summer 2027

A vegetable and berry garden is currently being created. Guests will be invited to harvest seasonal produce during their stay. A small garden guide will be available at the house, and guests are welcome to leave a donation if they wish. If you enjoy gardening, you are also very welcome to lend a hand.