Saarjärve Guest Experience Guide

Valid from 01.01.2026

Dear guest,

Thank you for considering Saarjärve Holiday Home for your event.

We are located in Southern Estonia, just 10 km from Põlva, surrounded by pristine and untouched nature on the shores of Lake Saarjärv. Our goal is to offer a place where time slows down, nature creates space, and every guest feels cared for.

The following terms help ensure smooth organization, high service quality, and the preservation of our environment and atmosphere.

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Capacity

The Saarjärve Holiday Home complex accommodates:

• Autumn–winter season: up to 28 guests
• Spring–summer season: up to 30 guests

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Arrival and departure

Standard rental period

The rental period is from 15:00 until 12:00 the following day, including accommodation.

NB! This time frame must also include all preparation and cleaning.

If you bring your own food and drinks

In this case, the rental period is 15:00 – 11:00 the following day.

Early arrival

Possible only by prior agreement and for an additional fee of 100 € / hour.

Why is this important?
Our team needs time to prepare the house for your arrival.

Important to know

We do not store food or alcohol brought in advance by guests. If desired, we can provide chilled drinks upon arrival.

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Pets

Pets are not allowed inside Saarjärve Holiday Home.

Animals on the outdoor premises must be kept on a leash, and the owner is responsible for cleaning up after them.

Why?
We consider guests with allergies and aim to maintain clean spaces for everyone.

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Peace and nature – our most important value

The greatest value of Saarjärve is the silence offered by nature.

Music and sound

• Loud music is not allowed outdoors
• Personal sound systems are not allowed
• Music may only be played indoors

A high-quality sound system and speakers are available on-site and cover all necessary areas.

Quiet hours

• 01.09 – 31.05: 23:00 – 07:00
• 01.06 – 31.08: 00:00 – 06:00

Why is this important?
Sound travels very far across the lake. We respect nature and our neighbors and aim to provide a peaceful environment for all guests.

Violation of this rule: fine of 500 € + possible security and legal costs.

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Furniture and use of spaces

If you order catering from us, we will arrange the table setup and restore it afterward.

If you use your own catering, we kindly ask you to return the furniture to its original position before departure.

We can also do this for you, but in that case: a service fee of 200 € applies.

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Catering and drinks

When renting Saarjärve Holiday Home, we offer two different catering approaches.

1. Saarjärve catering

If you order catering and drinks from us, we take care of the entire experience:

• food preparation and quality
• compliance with food hygiene standards
• serving and table setup
• kitchen cleanliness and post-event cleaning

In this case, we also provide breakfast and beverage solutions that match the menu.

Why is this important?
This allows us to take full responsibility for the entire food experience – from ingredients to service – and ensure it meets our quality standards.

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2. Own catering – Self catering

It is possible to bring your own catering and drinks, by prior agreement.

• an additional fee of 500 € per night applies
• your catering provider is responsible for serving and cleaning
• Saarjärve Holiday Home does not provide breakfast in this case

Important: we do not offer hybrid solutions (e.g. own catering + our breakfast).

Why?
If the kitchen is used by different parties, we cannot ensure compliance with food hygiene requirements, we do not have sufficient refrigeration capacity, and we cannot guarantee that food served under our name meets our quality standards. Therefore, catering responsibility must remain with one party.

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Additional services

• Projector and screen – 25 € / day (if used outside the 2nd floor seminar room)
• Bar service – from 39 € + VAT / hour. Includes bartender, serving, and cleaning. The cost of consumed cocktails is added according to your offer. Please indicate interest when making your inquiry.
• SUP boards – from 16 € / hour (for non-accommodation guests). For staying guests, SUP boards, bicycles, and rowing boat are included in the accommodation price.
• Hot tub rental (5h) – 100 € (included when renting the full main house complex)
• Tablecloths – 7 € / piece (please indicate if needed)

All external service providers must be approved in advance.

Services that are offered by Saarjärve cannot be provided by third parties on our premises.

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Fire safety

Smoking is prohibited in all indoor areas, terraces, and balconies.

Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.

Why?
The buildings are wooden structures and classified as high fire risk.

All rooms are equipped with an automatic fire alarm system (G4S).

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Payment and booking

• Booking is confirmed with a 50% deposit
• The deposit is non-refundable
• Final number of participants: 14 days before
• Final payment: 7 days before the event

Why?
We plan resources, staff, and ingredients precisely based on your event.

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Cancellation

In case of cancellation by the client, the deposit is non-refundable.

In case of exceptional circumstances, we offer rescheduling or use of services within the value of the deposit.

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Security deposit

When renting without our team present, a security deposit of 200 € applies.

This will be refunded within 3 days after the event.

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If you rent with your own catering and drinks…

We kindly ask that the premises are returned in the same condition:

• dishes washed and returned to cabinets
• surfaces cleaned, refrigerators emptied
• waste collected and sorted according to guidelines
• furniture returned to its original position

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Penalties

• Cleaning not completed – 200 €
• Cigarette butts and snus pouch cleaning – 200 €
• Vomit/special cleaning – from 200 €
• Ignoring indoor footwear rule – 300 €
• Lost key – 20 €

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Environment and sustainability 🌿

At Saarjärve, we are consciously moving towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable operations and have begun the process of applying for the Green Key certification.

We are located in a nature protection area, surrounded by pristine nature on the shores of Lake Saarjärv. This gives our location unique value, but also greater responsibility – for us and our guests.

Our goal is to offer a high-quality experience in nature while preserving and respecting it.

Everyday choices that matter

• We use approximately 70% environmentally friendly cleaning products
• We prefer eco-friendly consumables (including toilet and paper towels)
• Food is served on real tableware available on-site
• Disposable tableware is not allowed
• Reusable cups are available for guests

Why is this important?
Being located in a protected area means that every choice we make directly impacts the surrounding environment. This helps us reduce waste and preserve the nature that defines the Saarjärve experience.

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Water and nature

At our saunas, it is possible to rinse using lake water.

We kindly ask not to use soaps or detergents near the lake to protect water quality and the sensitive ecosystem.

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Getting here

It is possible to arrive at Saarjärve in a more environmentally friendly way.

Guests may arrive by bicycle, for example from Holvandi railway station. If needed, we can arrange bicycle transport there (for an additional fee).

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Waste sorting

We kindly ask all guests to sort waste according to the provided instructions (waste stations and guidelines are available on-site).

Sorting is not just a recommendation – it is part of our shared responsibility.

If waste is not sorted, an additional fee of 200 € will apply, as we will need to do this on your behalf.

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Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us:

📧 info@saarjarve.ee
📞 +372 5196 8585

We look forward to welcoming you to Saarjärve 🤍