8 Unique Stays in Lapland (and What They Really Cost)

Some places in Lapland are worth planning a trip around: a glass roof over your bed when the sky turns green, a yurt on a hill with no bathroom and no neighbours, a cabin on an island you reach by boat in summer and by snowmobile in winter.

The catch is what they cost. These are splurges, with nights starting at over €300 in January. That’s why a single night is the usual way to do it: you get the experience, and the rest of the trip stays affordable. For the week around it, from cottages to city hotels, start here: Where to stay in Rovaniemi.

These are the eight unique stays in Lapland we’d actually send someone to.

A note on these picks: We haven’t slept in any of them. We’ve stayed in a cottage in Rovaniemi every time, and a night in a glass suite has never made it past our budget. These are the eight that kept landing on our shortlist while we planned and the ones we’d send a friend to.

1. Yurt District – Rovaniemi

Best for: Authentic wilderness experiences, solo travelers, and those who love a touch of nomadic charm.
Budget range: €€
Where: Hilltop near Rovaniemi

If you’re drawn to experiences that feel personal and a little adventurous, Yurt District near Rovaniemi is about as far from a hotel as you can get: a handful of Mongolian yurts on a riverbank and a hill, run by the people who built them.

What makes it unique

The Yurt District uses authentic Mongolian gers (yurts), handmade in Ulaanbaatar and adapted for Arctic conditions.

Each yurt is insulated, heated, and decorated with a modern Scandinavian–Lapland style. Some even feature glass roofs, letting you stargaze or watch the northern lights while lying in bed.

There are just a handful of yurts here, which means every guest gets personal attention.

Guests can also purchase some of the décor items directly from the yurts—so if you fall in love with a blanket or lantern, you can take a little piece of Lapland home.

You can choose between two different types of yurt experiences:

Riverside Yurts

• Located by the Ounasjoki River with peaceful Arctic Circle views
• Cozy, fully insulated, and decorated with Scandinavian charm
• Glass roof for stargazing and aurora watching
• Shared new shower and toilet block nearby
• Outdoor open fire grill area for cooking and socializing
• Optional wood-heated sauna (extra cost)

Hilltop Yurt

• Perched on a forest hill in the middle of wilderness—accessible only by ATV or snowmobile
• Extremely quiet and secluded, surrounded by pure nature
• No shower or toilet (a true wilderness stay!)
• Cozy and warm interior with modern Scandinavian touches
• Optional wooden sauna experience (5 km away, transfers included in the sauna price)
• Phone and WiFi available if you need to connect with the outside world

Practical tips

• How to get there: Both yurt options are about 25 km from Rovaniemi. The Hilltop Yurt requires ATV or snowmobile transport, which is arranged by the hosts.
• Best time to visit: Winter (December–March) for a magical snowy adventure and northern lights, though summer has its own charm with long days and riverside evenings.
• Booking tip: Decide first whether you want more comfort (Riverside) or more wilderness (Hilltop). The Hilltop is best for adventurous couples; the Riverside is more versatile for friends or small groups.

Cons

Neither yurt has its own bathroom. The riverside yurts share a shower and toilet block, and the Hilltop Yurt has neither, which makes both a hard sell with small children. The Hilltop Yurt is reachable only by ATV or snowmobile, so you can’t come and go as you please, and at 25 km out you’ll want a car for the riverside ones. The sauna costs extra in both cases. At around €325 a night in January, “glamping” doesn’t mean cheap here.

Our take

If a bathroom of your own isn’t the point of a holiday, this is the most distinctive stay on the list for the money. The Riverside yurts are the version most people should book; the Hilltop is for people who want the wilderness version and know what that means.

2. Kotatieva Resort – Rovaniemi

Best for: Families and anyone who loves a true forest escape.
Budget range: €€ (cabins with sauna cost noticeably more)
Where: Located on the outskirts of Rovaniemi, where the paved road literally ends amid dense pine forest.

If you’re traveling with kids (or if you’re just young at heart), Kotatieva Resort is one of the better options to stay near Rovaniemi.

Imagine cozy wooden cottages tucked in the forest, paired with an entire playground of winter activities right outside your door.

What makes it unique

The cottages are tucked deep into the forest, so you really feel like you’ve reached the end of the road—quite literally.

But what makes Kotatieva stand out is its winter leisure park. As a guest, you also receive one full-day ticket per person included in your stay.

One of its highlights is the 500-meter natural skating trail through the snowy forest. The trail winds through the trees rather than circling a rink, which makes it feel nothing like skating at home.

The resort also offers optional activities like guided snowshoeing tours or a traditional wooden sauna experience. The accommodations feel homey and welcoming, with everything you need to warm up after a day outside.

What’s more, Kotatieva makes logistics incredibly easy. Free airport transfers are included, and there’s also a daily free shuttle for cabin guests to Rovaniemi city center and Santa Claus Village.

That means you can skip the rental car if you prefer—everything you need is either onsite or just a shuttle away.

Plus, Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village are still just a short drive away if you want more activities.

Practical tips

• How to get there: Kotatieva is about 20 minutes from Rovaniemi Airport and Rovaniemi city center, and with the free transfers, you don’t need a car.
• Best time to visit: December to March for winter activities
• Booking tip: Reserve early for school holiday weeks—families love it here, and it sells out quickly.

Cons

It’s a family resort, so it’s lively rather than serene. You’re also 20 minutes out of town, which means evenings happen on site, and without a car you’re tied to the shuttle’s timetable. The day ticket for the leisure park covers one day per person, so a longer stay means paying for extra days.

Our take

The one stay here that works for a whole family week rather than a single splurge night, and the skating trail plus the included day ticket is genuinely good value for what a week in Lapland costs.

3. Aino Private Island – Rovaniemi

Best for: Deep relaxation, couples‑only retreats, and anyone craving total privacy
Budget range: €€€€ (breakfast and dinner included)
Where: Just outside Rovaniemi, on a secluded private island

If you’ve ever dreamed of having an entire island all to yourself, this is your chance. The Aino Private Island near Rovaniemi offers the kind of exclusivity you rarely find in the Arctic. Accessible only by boat (or snowmobile in winter), this stay offers complete privacy in a breathtaking setting.

What makes it unique

The accommodation here is intimate and adults-only—making it especially perfect for couples or travelers seeking peace.

Interiors are tastefully done, mixing rustic Lapland charm with modern touches. Meals (both breakfast and dinner) are included, and the menu is built around local Finnish ingredients, so you can expect warming dishes after a day in the cold.

You can take part in classic winter activities like snowshoeing and ice fishing or simply cozy up by the fire. And because there’s no light pollution, northern lights viewing from the island can be incredible.

With no neighbors, no traffic, and no distractions, you can fully disconnect.

Practical tips

• How to get there: Fly into Rovaniemi Airport and arrange transfers directly with the property—they’ll organize the final boat or snowmobile leg.
• Best time to visit: Winter (December–March) for snowy landscapes and auroras or summer (June–August) for the midnight sun and peaceful lake views.
• Booking tip: Because it’s small and exclusive, it books up fast. If you want to enjoy the luxury at a discounted price, think about booking in November or March-April.

Cons

At over €1,000 a night in January it’s the second most expensive stay on this list. Because you arrive by boat or snowmobile, you can’t pop out for dinner or anything else, and you eat what the kitchen serves. It’s adults only, so it isn’t an option with children.

Our take

Worth it when privacy is the point of the trip rather than a bonus. If you’re going for a milestone and want the outside world to disappear entirely, few places do it this completely.

4. SkyView Igloos Resort—Rovaniemi

Best for: luxury seekers, architecture aficionados, and anyone who wants a private sauna and jacuzzi under the stars.
Budget range: €€€€—high-end luxury
Where: Perched on a hill overlooking the Arctic Circle, 10 minutes from Rovaniemi’s downtown

If you’re after a unique stay with a touch of extravagance, the SkyView Igloos in Rovaniemi are hard to beat. They are two-storey, 50 m² glass-roof suites designed for Northern Lights viewing.

What makes it unique

The SkyView Igloos combines avant‑garde design with indulgent amenities. Its most striking feature is the transparent dome roof that offers an open view of the sky—perfect for aurora spotting without ever leaving the warmth of your suite.

The floor-to-ceiling glass walls and unique architecture make you feel part of the landscape.

The igloo’s interior is modern with driftwood furniture, soft and grounding natural elements, and ambient LED lighting that mimics the natural rhythm of the Arctic twilight.

Each igloo also features a private spa area consisting of a private sauna and jacuzzi on the second floor, next to the bedroom. The jacuzzi is placed on the balcony, allowing you to soak under the night sky.

Each morning, a gourmet breakfast basket (e.g. fresh pastries, smoked fish, berry compote, and hot coffee) is delivered directly to your suite.

It’s the kind of place where every detail feels designed for indulgence. Watching the northern lights from your jacuzzi? Yes, please!

Practical tips

• How to get there: Just a short drive from Rovaniemi Airport. Taxis or arranged transfers are easy.
• Best time to visit: December–March for auroras, though late autumn is quieter and still beautiful.
• Booking tip: SkyView Igloos are very popular during peak season, so book well in advance if you want specific dates.

Cons

It’s the most expensive stay on this list, and it sells out early for Christmas and New Year. You’re also ten minutes outside town, so dinner means a taxi or a car unless you’re in a cabin with a kitchenette.

Our take

At around €1,300 a night in January, the Sky Igloo is a honeymoon or a milestone rather than a holiday. But the resort’s Aurora Cabins are several hundred euros a night cheaper and come with the same private sauna, jacuzzi and kitchenette in a smaller building. If you want the SkyView experience, that’s the version we’d book.

5. Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos – Rovaniemi

Best for: A one-night bucket list experience
Budget range: €€€ (includes dinner and breakfast)
Where: Rovaniemi

If you’ve ever wanted to sleep on ice, here’s your chance. The Arctic Snow Hotel in Rovaniemi is rebuilt every year entirely out of snow and ice—from the walls to the beds to the decorations.

What makes it unique

Step into a world where walls, beds, and even the bar are sculpted from pure ice. The Snow Hotel offers ice rooms (no doors, no en‑suite bathrooms) that maintain a constant -5 °C (23 °F) temperature—cold enough to keep the ice solid but warm enough for a comfortable night’s sleep with proper thermal gear.

The hotel offers different amenities, but some of the most memorable ones are the Ice Sauna and the Ice Bar, where you can sip a cocktail from a glass also made of frozen water.

You can also have dinner in their Ice Restaurant where the tables are ice too. The resort also has glass igloos with ensuite bathrooms and heated glass roofs. They give you the northern lights experience without the chilly toes.

Practical tips

• How to get there: About 30 minutes from Rovaniemi Airport; transfers are available.
• Best time to visit: December–March (the Snow Hotel melts in spring).

Cons

The ice rooms lack privacy (no doors) and require thermal sleeping bags. The snow restaurant is atmospheric, but the food isn’t as special as the setting. Prices for meals and drinks can be steep compared to regular restaurants.

Our take

We’ve eaten in the Ice Restaurant but never slept in the ice rooms, and the honest version is this: the food was mediocre at best. You’re paying for the setting, not the cooking, although there’s something to be said for a beer that stays perfectly cold through an entire dinner. If you’re unsure about the whole idea, dinner in the Ice Restaurant gives you most of the atmosphere without a night at -5°C in a sleeping bag behind a curtain.
If you do want to sleep on ice, one night is the right number. Most guests move into the glass igloos afterwards, and that’s the combination we’d book: the novelty first, then a bathroom and a heated roof.

Further north, if you’re heading that way

We haven’t been this far north ourselves. If your trip goes beyond Rovaniemi, these are the three we’d look at first.

6. Wilderness Hotel Inari – Inari

Where: Set on the banks of Lake Inari, accessible via a short flight from Helsinki to Ivalo Airport followed by a scenic 45‑minute drive.
Budget range: €€€

If you’re looking for a truly remote Lapland experience, head north to Inari. The Wilderness Hotel Inari is part of a small chain of ultra‑remote lodges scattered across the far north.

The furthest north of the three, on the shore of Lake Inari, with log cabins and glass-roofed aurora cabins. In winter the lake freezes solid and becomes the route for snowmobiling and aurora chasing, and the hotel runs cultural experiences with the Sámi. Being this remote, food and activities are all at the hotel and there’s little else within reach, so their activity bundles are usually cheaper than booking pieces separately.

Check dates at Wilderness Hotel Inari ➡️

7. Kelo Resort – Levi

Where: Yli-Kyrö village, close to Levi, near Kittilä Airport
Budget range: €€

Levi is known for skiing and nightlife. Kelo Resort is the opposite: an ancient forest in the small village of Yli-Kyrö, on the edge of one of Finland’s largest national parks. It’s built from kelo pine, the silver-grey wood of centuries-old Arctic trees, and it’s the only hotel of its kind in the area, so there are no crowds and no light pollution. Packages cover meals and activities, and airport transfers are included. The trade-off is that dining and activities are all at the resort.

See rates at Kelo Resort ➡️

8. Northern Lights Village – Levi

Where: Levi, away from town
Budget range: €€€

Heated glass roofs that never frost over, set far enough from Levi’s lights for good aurora chances, with meals included and husky, snowmobile and reindeer trips bookable at reception. It’s one of the most photographed stays in Lapland, which is also the catch: it’s popular, so it feels less private than the pictures suggest.

Check dates at Northern Lights Village ➡️

How to Choose the Right Unique Stay for Your Lapland Adventure

1. Define Your Core Goal—Are you chasing the Northern Lights, seeking family fun, or craving total isolation?
2. Consider Travel Logistics—Some locations (like Inari) require extra flights or longer drives, while others (Kotatieva, Snow Hotel) are easily reachable from Rovaniemi’s airport.
3. Set a Budget Ceiling—see the price key above. Nothing on this list comes in under €250 a night in January, so if you’re travelling as a family, plan one special night rather than a week.
4. Check Seasonal Availability—December and January fill up fastest, especially for glass roofs and ice rooms. February and March are quieter and cheaper, with the same aurora chances.
5. Do you need your own bathroom? The yurts and the ice rooms don’t have one. Everything else does.
6. Check what’s included. Aino, Northern Lights Village, Inari and the Snow Hotel include dinner and breakfast, which makes their nightly rate look higher than it is against the others.

Final Thoughts

If you only take one thing from this list: book a single night somewhere unusual, and spend the rest of the trip in a cottage. That’s how these places fit into a normal Lapland holiday, and it’s what we’d do ourselves.

Travelling with children, Kotatieva is the only one here that works for a whole week. For a milestone trip, Aino is as private as Lapland gets. For the bucket-list night, the Snow Hotel followed by a glass igloo covers both the novelty and a decent night’s sleep. And if you want the glass roof without the top price, the Aurora Cabins at SkyView are the version we’d book.

Whichever you choose, book early for Christmas and New Year. These are small properties and they sell out months ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Unique Stays in Lapland