7 of the Best Hotels in Lapland
There’s an ethereal beauty to Lapland, where the snow seems to settle endlessly in the winter and even the darkest months of the year are kept bright by the stars of the night sky. Here, there’s a lot of nature to explore and a lot of relaxing to be done. It’s an equally amazing spot for those looking to unwind and those seeking adventures.
In this article, I’m going to be sharing seven of the best hotels in Lapland with you. Hopefully they fill you with inspiration for your own trip.
Learn More: 10 of the Best Things to Do in Lapland
Choosing the Best Hotels in Lapland
Lapland is a charming destination with many faces. Which face you see will depend entirely on when you visit and what your plans are. There are different attractions around every corner, making the most of both the midnight sun and polar night.
When you’re not finding a new part of this magical wonderland to explore, you’re probably going to need somewhere to rest your head. While choosing the best hotels in Lapland, I’ve tried to offer variety while also capturing the storied beauty of the region.
1. Levin Iglut
It’s impossible for me to write this article without mentioning Levin Iglut. When it comes to Lapland, Levin Iglut is one of my personal favourite places to stay and to recommend to other travellers. It combines luxury and the wilderness in a way that seems almost effortless.
While I haven’t stayed in the Northern Lights House, I have stayed in two of Levin Iglut’s glass igloos. The Suite Igloos are larger than the Prime Superior Igloos, but I fell in love with the overall shape of the latter. The Suite Igloos do offer one of the best views of the surrounding landscape and the night sky.
When you’re staying here, it’s the setting that makes it a special experience. You can see the wilderness from your bed and, if you’re lucky, the Aurora Borealis dancing overhead. What more could you want from this breathtaking destination?
Learn More: Levin Iglut (Official Website) | Levin Iglut (Booking.com)
2. Arctic Light Hotel
Looking for an award-winning boutique hotel? Look no further than the Arctic Light Hotel. Once the City Hall of Rovaniemi, this gorgeous building is now a perfect base for a stay in Lapland.
Nestled right in the centre of Rovaniemi, the Arctic Light Hotel places you on the doorstep of many famous attractions. Rovaniemi is Santa Claus’ official hometown and you can reach the Santa Claus Village within about 15 minutes of driving. Attractions like the Arktikum are just a short walk away, giving you every opportunity to learn about the natural world surrounding you. There are also plenty of excursions out into the wilds surrounding Rovaniemi.
Each of the rooms here are spacious and beautifully decorated. They offer elegance and the home comforts that really enable you to settle in. I love that you can conveniently control the lighting in your room, turning a bright room into an intimate space.
Learn More: Arctic Light Hotel (Official Website) | Arctic Light Hotel (Booking.com)
3. Arctic Fox Igloos
Nestled along the shore of Lake Ranuanjärvi, the Arctic Fox Igloos are a unique option for travellers visiting Lapland. If you’re lucky, the igloos will present you with the opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis dancing across the sky and reflected on the surface of the water, depending on whether or not the lake is frozen.
There are many charming Lappish adventures to be had here. You can go fishing under the midnight sun, take to the forests on a snowmobile and warm up in the sauna at the end of a long day.
Each of the glass igloos house a private sauna that you can use as you wish, as well as a spacious bedroom facing the lake. Heating prevents the glass surfaces from getting frosty, ensuring that you always have a crystal-clear view of your surroundings.
Learn More: Arctic Fox Igloos (Official Website) | Arctic Fox Igloos (Booking.com)
4. Glass Resort
The forests in Lapland are otherworldly, especially when they’re covered in snow during the colder months of the year. Glass Resort is a seasonal resort nestled just a stone’s throw away from Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
There’s something truly magical about experiencing the wonders of the Finnish winter while next door to Santa Claus, with the area around Glass Resort offering many unique experiences and opportunities. From Northern Lights tours to husky trails, there’s something for everyone. You can even go looking for the Aurora Borealis with reindeer, should you wish to.
The Glass Apartments in the Glass Resort are beautiful, all decorated with Scandinavian and Lappish themes in mind. Beautiful views can be seen from every huge floor-to-ceiling window and the night sky is guaranteed to lull you into the best of sleeps.
Learn More: Glass Resort (Official Website) | Glass Resort (Booking.com)
5. Wilderness Hotel Inari
If you’re looking for a little slice of tranquility, I would recommend visiting Wilderness Hotel Inari. This hotel places you in one of the best locations to learn about Sámi culture, as the local village of Inari is home to many shops selling handicrafts and artisan goods.
Just a short journey away, you can find the Sámi Museum and Nature Centre Siida, two of the best spots for learning about Sámi culture. You can also go on reindeer tours locally, travelling the way that Sámi people traditionally do. What you can do is often determined by the seasons. Because of this, I would highly recommend having some ideas regarding what you wish to see and do so that you can time your trip right.
There are many options at Wilderness Hotel Inari in terms of accommodation. You can stay in a traditional log cabin overlooking either Lake Inari or Nukkumajoki River. There are also the Inari Aurora Cabins, offering the beauty of the night sky. If you would rather stay in the hotel itself, the Inari Wilderness Rooms are Lappish in style and comfortable.
Learn More: Wilderness Hotel Inari (Official Website) | Wilderness Hotel Inari (Booking.com)
6. Aurora Village
Home to beautiful views of the Aurora Borealis, Aurora Village is located in a little corner of paradise. Each of the glass-roofed cabins here offer spectacular views of the sky at night so that guests can spot the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds if they’re lucky.
This area is one of my personal favourites when it comes to chasing the Northern Lights across the sky. Aurora Village offers some wonderful Aurora Chasing Tours for those who are interested in capturing them. The stars are truly idyllic so far away from light pollution.
The cabins here are all comfortable, really blending in with their surroundings. They’re warm and cozy inside, offering beautiful views from the windows. The sauna and jacuzzi are both available for private bookings and can really help you to warm up after a long day of activities.
Learn More: Aurora Village (Official Website) | Aurora Village (Booking.com)
Special Pick: Santa Claus Village
In each of these articles, I like to include a special pick. This is always somewhere unique and somewhere I would happily go back to. Are you ready for a truly magical way to experience Christmas? Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi brings the stories of Santa Claus to life above the Arctic Circle, spreading love and Christmas spirit amongst all that visit.
There are many lovely things to do in Santa Claus Village. You can meet Santa’s reindeer, enjoy husky rides and try to capture a glimpse of the Northern Lights. You can also meet both Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus if you would like to.
The Santa Claus Holiday Village can be found right in the heart of Santa Claus Village. It contains a number of heated cottages, all complete with a scattering of Christmas joy. I would say this is a great option for families with children.
Learn More: Santa Claus Village (Official Website) | Santa Claus Village (Booking.com)
Staying in the Best Hotels in Lapland
When you venture above the Arctic Circle, you know that you’re in for a postcard-worthy adventure. It’s an area that truly brings the wilderness to life, regardless of when you visit. I would recommend choosing accommodation that best suits you, your style of travelling and the experiences that you want to have here. For the Northern Lights, try to either step away from the city or book some excursions out of it.
I hope that my picks for the best hotels in Lapland have helped to fill you with inspiration.
Do you have a favourite place to stay in Lapland or a hotel that you would love to share? I would love to hear about it in the comments below.
