Five Best: Luxury log cabins

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a nice surprise

Hotel Kakslauttanen, Finland

Hotel Kakslauttanen, Finland

The Hotel Kakslauttanen's 31 traditionally built log cabins can be found in the heart of Finnish Lapland, 250km north of the Arctic Circle. Constructed from local pine, the cabins sleep two, four or six people, and have their own saunas and Finnish rocking chairs. You can sweat it out in the largest smoke sauna in the world or learn the art of ice-fishing. Visit during the winter and you might even catch a glimpse of the northern lights.

Hotel Kakslauttanen, Saariselka, Lapland, Finland (00 358 16 66 7100; www.kakslauttanen.fi). Log cabins sleeping two people start from €80 (£57) per night without breakfast. Discover the World (01737 214 255; www.discover-the-world.co.uk) can arrange three-night breaks including activities for £483 per person, with flights, accommodation and breakfast.

Aoife O'Riordain

La Forêt Enchantée, Australia

The cabin at La Forêt Enchantée is in the quintessential woodland setting. Set in 10 acres of forest, it is located in the heart of the Margaret River wine region in Western Australia, close to the beach. This two-storey cabin, surrounded by freesias and wisteria, sleeps two and, as it is only one of two hideaways on the property, privacy is guaranteed. Inside, the cabin is decorated with antique furniture brought back from France, gilt mirrors and a pretty marble bathroom. Evenings can be spent sipping wine from the local vineyards, toasting marshmallows on the open log fire or a chef can be booked to come in and cook a gourmet meal for two.

La Forêt Enchantée, Caves Road, Margaret River, Western Australia (00 61 8 9757 9889; www.laforetenchantee.com.au). The cabin costs AU$300 (£122) per night, with breakfast and provisions AO'R

Lake Placid Lodge, USA

Lake Placid Lodge occupies a serene location in a forest at the edge of a lake in the Adirondack National Park in upstate New York. It was originally built by a wealthy local family in 1882. Half its 34 guest rooms are log cabins scattered along the water's edge and decorated with Adirondack log furniture and roaring fires. Home-baked cookies are left on your pillow at night.

Lake Placid Lodge, Lake Placid, New York (00 1 518 523 2700; www.lakeplacidlodge.com). Cabins start from $806 (£475) per night, with breakfast AO'R

Triple Creek Ranch, USA

In the heart of Montana is a guest ranch that offers horse-riding, mountain-biking, hiking, fishing and skiing. However, this is the rugged outdoors for the not so hardy. Accommodation is in luxury log cabins such as the decidedly plush Castle Rock, El Capitan, Sapphire and Stage Stop. The latterhas a huge river-rock fireplace and a log-post bed, and a large deck looking out over West Fork Valley. Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana 59829 (001 406 821 4600; www.triplecreekranch.com). Cabins sleeping two, full-board, cost from $510 (£300) per night, the four premium cabins cost from $995 (£585) with wine and activities LUCY GILLMORE

Dunton Hot Springs, USA

No two cabins are alike in this 19th-century gold-rush town turned rustic but luxurious wilderness resort. Dunton Hot Springs, an old miners' retreat, is up a dirt road bordered by swaying aspen and ponderosa pines, 30 miles south of Telluride. Set in meadows between two national forests, Dunton comes complete with a frontier-town saloon, tepee, two hot springs and 11 log cabins restored by local and Native American craftsmen. In Wells House, guests have their own spring-fed hot tub next to their bed.

Dunton Hot Springs, PO Box 818, Dolores, Colorado, 81323 (001 970 882 4800; www.duntonhotsprings.com). Cabins start at $600 (£353) per night full-board based on two sharing LG