Hello, I'm Jonathan Lee.

After two decades of leading global teams and scaling travel platforms across the U.S. and Europe, I moved to Helsinki, Finland from the U.S. nearly three years ago in search of a different rhythm. I’m married to a Finn, a father to a young son, and the creator of Five Senses Retreats. My mission is to blend my passion for world-class hospitality with the restorative power of Nordic nature to create spaces and eventually communities designed for truly slowing down and being present.

My Story

For 20 years, my life was defined by scale, speed, and growth. From leading international partnerships for a large travel booking platform to founding and exiting my own startup, I’ve spent my career navigating the fast-paced worlds of technology and travel. I’ve been fortunate to travel to over 35 countries and 48 U.S. states, always looking for that next big milestone.

But like many of us, I reached a point where I realized that "more" isn't always "better." I found myself craving clarity and a pause from the noise.

That search for a calmer, more intentional life eventually led me and my family to Finland. Whether I’m training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, going for a long run, or exploring Finnish nature, I’ve learned that the most meaningful experiences happen when we stop rushing through them. I say this as still very much a student; not as a teacher.

Five Senses Retreats was born from this transition. I wanted to take everything I know about travel and premium hospitality and combine it with the quiet depth of the North.

This is a pivot toward slow travel and moving away from being a spectating tourist to becoming an active participant. It is an invitation to smell the woodsmoke, taste the harvest, and feel the rhythm of the land.

I’m not just building a retreat; I’m curating an environment where my professional background in travel and guest experience meets my personal belief in the necessity of rest. In building this vision, I try to remember two books that have left a strong impression on me:

"Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara: A reminder that true luxury is found in intentional, obsessive care for the guest experience, even if I know that I will inevitably fall short of even my own expectations.
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel van der Kolk: An understanding that to find clarity, inner healing, and rest, we must involve the body and not just the mind because our bodies "remember" traumas that our minds have forgotten.

I care deeply about the art of hosting. My goal is to ensure that from the moment you arrive in the forest, you feel the security of a well-designed experience and the freedom to simply be.

I want this to be more than an event; I want it to be a community where people belong through shared experiences.

Won't you join me?