Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus and the capital of Finnish Lapland, is a dream winter destination. With its magical snowy landscapes, Northern Lights, and festive charm, it’s no surprise that it’s becoming increasingly popular with travelers from around the world.
We’ve visited Rovaniemi twice, spending over three weeks exploring all it has to offer—and that includes doing in-depth research on where to stay. From luxurious glass igloos to charming budget guesthouses, Rovaniemi has a wide variety of accommodations to suit every traveler’s budget and preferences.
This complete guide will help you find the perfect place to stay for you in Rovaniemi.
Note: Prices refer to winter stays for 2 adults and vary by room type. Most places are open year-round (except the Snow Hotel, for obvious reasons), with cheaper rates in summer.
🏆 Our Top Recommendations:
What You'll Find In This Post:
Unique & Once-in-a-Lifetime Stay in Rovaniemi
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
📌 Price Range: €500 – €1,200 per night
📍 Location: About 30 km (18 miles) from Rovaniemi
If you’re after a truly bucket-list experience, staying at the Arctic SnowHotel
might just be the ultimate winter fairytale. Completely rebuilt each year from ice and snow, the hotel offers rooms sculpted from snow, complete with thermal sleeping bags and detailed ice art.
You’ll sleep on a bed made of ice – yes, really – in absolute silence under a glowing dome of soft snow light.
Right next to the SnowHotel, you’ll find Glass Igloos offering a warmer (and more comfortable) version of the experience. These heated igloos feature thermal glass roofs, so you can fall asleep under the northern lights without ever leaving your bed.
🟢 Pros:
- Unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime setting
- Great chance to see the northern lights
- Ice bar, snow sauna, and unique dining experiences like the ice restaurant (though the food itself was subpar quality)
- Usual combination: one night in the SnowHotel and the rest in the glass igloo
🔴 Cons:
- Expensive
- Not ideal for light sleepers or those sensitive to cold (no doors in the snow hotel, just a curtain)
- Limited availability – must book early
✅ Check prices and book your stay at Arctic SnowHotel by clicking HERE!
Top Luxury & Premium Resorts to Stay in Rovaniemi
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
📌 Price range: €1,100 – €3,000 per night
- Location: Close to SantaPark, about a 10-min drive from Rovaniemi city center
- Style: Ultra-modern, luxury design cabins with panoramic forest views
- Facilities: High-end restaurant (Rakas), in-room breakfast, floor-to-ceiling windows, glass-walled bathrooms
If you’re dreaming of luxury meets Lapland magic, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is the place. Nestled on a forested hill overlooking Rovaniemi, it offers panoramic views of snowy trees and, if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights—right from your bed.
🟢 Pros:
- Stunning design and ambiance
- Great location for Northern Lights and Santa-themed activities
- Perfect for couples or honeymooners
🔴 Cons:
- Expensive, particularly in peak season
- Privacy can be limited depending on unit location
✅ Check prices and book your stay at Arctic TreeHouse Hotel by clicking HERE!
Glass Resort
📌 Price range: €1,000 – €5,000+ per night
- Location: In Santa Claus Village
- Style: Sleek glass igloos with private hot tubs and saunas
- Facilities: On-site restaurant, outdoor hot tub, sauna in every unit, private Northern Lights viewing
A true bucket-list stay, Glass Resort is the epitome of sleek Nordic design and immersive nature. These luxurious glass apartments let you soak in the Arctic sky from your own outdoor hot tub, all just steps away from Santa Claus Village.
🟢 Pros:
- Incredible night sky views from your bed
- Exclusive, private feel with top-tier comfort
- Excellent for bucket-list stays
🔴 Cons:
- One of the most expensive options
- Santa Claus Village can feel touristy during the day
✅ Check out Glass Resort HERE!
Holiday Villages & Activity-Focused Resorts to Stay in Rovaniemi
Apukka Resort
📌 Price range: €900 – €1,700 per night
- Location: About 15-min drive from Rovaniemi center
- Style: Rustic-chic lodges, glass igloos, and Kammi Suites
- Facilities: Wood-burning saunas, frozen lake plunge, ice sauna, multiple activity packages (husky rides, Northern Lights tours, reindeer safaris)
Apukka blends comfort and adventure seamlessly, offering you a cozy base with immediate access to reindeer safaris, snowmobile trails, and husky rides. It’s like stepping into a postcard—with added wood-fired saunas and frozen lake dips for good measure.
🟢 Pros:
- Immersive Lapland experience
- Wide range of included activities and gear (thermal clothing, transfers)
- Ideal for families and adventurers
🔴 Cons:
- Pricey if not taking advantage of packages
- Not walkable to town (shuttle service available)
✅ Take a look at Apukka Resort HERE!
Ranua Resort
📌 Price range: €300 – €750 per night
- Location: 80 km south of Rovaniemi, near Ranua Zoo
- Style: Modern cabins and apartments with natural surroundings
- Facilities: Access to zoo, on-site dining, kids’ play areas, activity center, sauna
Located right next to Ranua Zoo and surrounded by pristine wilderness, Ranua Resort is a hidden gem perfect for families. It’s peaceful, affordable, and still packed with Arctic adventure—from wildlife encounters to snowy forest treks.
🟢 Pros:
- Excellent for families (next to Ranua Zoo)
- More affordable than Rovaniemi resorts
- You have the same activities as in Rovaniemi (husky, reindeer, etc.)
🔴 Cons:
- Further from Rovaniemi (car or transfer needed)
- Less nightlife or restaurant variety
✅ See Ranua Resort by clicking HERE!
👉 Curious whether Ranua Zoo is worth the visit? Check out our full guide with an honest review: Is Ranua Zoo worth it?
Santa Claus Holiday Village
📌 Price range: €300 – €450 per night
- Location: Right in Santa Claus Village, across from the airport
- Style: Cozy cabins and apartments with kitchenette
- Facilities: On-site restaurants, Santa’s office, reindeer and husky activities, free airport transfer
You can’t get closer to Santa Claus than this—literally. This festive village is a great pick for families wanting fun and convenience, with cozy cabins, restaurants, and holiday cheer right outside your door. However, it can get too crowded during the high season in December.
🟢 Pros:
- Convenient for short stays or families
- Full Santa experience for kids
- Great value for location
🔴 Cons:
- Tourist-heavy area
- Can feel commercialized
✅ Book your stay at Santa Claus Holiday Village HERE!
Mid-Range Comfort Hotels to Stay in Rovaniemi
Lapland Hotels
Sky Ounasvaara & Ounasvaara Chalets
📌 Price range: €300 – €800 per night
- Location: Ounasvaara ski area, 10-min drive from the city center
- Style: Cozy wooden chalets with fireplaces or modern and well-furnished rooms
- Facilities: amazing breakfast, Ski-in/ski-out access, wood sauna, incredible views
Perched high above Rovaniemi on the Ounasvaara hill, Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara and Chalets (officially two different hotels) offer panoramic views of the surrounding Arctic wilderness, making it one of the most scenic places to stay in Lapland.
With its modern Nordic design and direct access to outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking, it’s a perfect blend of comfort and nature. It’s especially ideal if you’re renting a car and want something quieter, away from the bustle of town.
🟢 Pros:
- Ideal for skiing or snowboarding
- Great winter setting, peaceful and scenic
- Kitchenettes available/ Fully equipped kitchens in the chalets
🔴 Cons:
- Better with a rental car
- Limited dining options nearby, though great restaurant in the hotel
✅ Check prices and book your stay at Sky Ounasvaara HERE or Ounasvaara Chalets HERE!
Arctic Light Hotel
📌 Price range: €350 – €800 per night
- Location: Right in Rovaniemi center
- Style: Boutique design hotel with Lapland flair
- Facilities: Renowned breakfast, on-site bar, luxury rooms
Right in the heart of Rovaniemi, the Arctic Light Hotel feels like stepping into a Nordic design magazine. With its moody lighting, plush rooms, and gourmet breakfasts, it’s a stylish urban retreat close to everything.
🟢 Pros:
- Excellent location for city access
- Stylish interiors
- Close to restaurants, shops, and tours
🔴 Cons:
- No in-room sauna
- Street noise possible in city-view rooms
✅ See Arctic Light Hotel HERE!
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay in Rovaniemi
Laurie Guesthouse B&B
📌 Price range: €200 – €600 per night
- Location: Walking distance to city center
- Style: Historic wooden house, artsy and warm
- Facilities: Homemade breakfast, gift shop with local crafts, cozy lounge
This charming, historic wooden house offers a uniquely cozy and authentic stay. Just a short walk from the city center, it’s full of local character—and even has a lovely little gift shop featuring handmade Finnish crafts.
🟢 Pros:
- Warm hospitality
- Quiet, traditional home feeling
- Close to everything
🔴 Cons:
- Fewer amenities
- Limited rooms, book early
✅ Take a look at Laurie Guesthouse B&B by clicking HERE!
Hostel Café Koti
📌 Price range: €60 – €350 per night
- Location: Central Rovaniemi
- Style: Trendy, modern hostel with Scandinavian decor
- Facilities: Shared kitchen, café, private and dorm rooms, common area sauna
Clean, modern, and welcoming, Hostel Café Koti is one of the best budget stays in Rovaniemi. Whether you’re bunking in a dorm or getting a private room, it offers great value, warm vibes, and an unbeatable location downtown.
🟢 Pros:
- Affordable, clean and great location
- Great social vibe
- Private rooms with ensuite available
🔴 Cons:
- Limited privacy in dorms
- Book early in peak season
✅ Check out Hostel Café Koti by clicking HERE!
Private Rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo & Booking)
📌 Price Range: €80 – €350 per night
📍 Location: Throughout Rovaniemi and nearby areas
If you’re traveling on a budget or prefer a more local experience, private rentals via Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking can be a fantastic option. You’ll find everything from cozy log cabins and modern studio apartments to larger homes ideal for families or groups.
Most even include extras like saunas, full kitchens, or northern lights views from your porch. A lot will also offer airport pick-up.
Private rentals are especially good for longer stays, giving you more space, flexibility, and the option to cook your own meals (huge savings in Lapland!). You can also find more secluded options away from the tourist buzz—perfect if you’re looking to enjoy the Arctic silence.
🟢 Pros:
- Best value for longer stays
- Ideal for families or groups
- Kitchens help reduce food costs
🔴 Cons:
- You’ll need to arrange your own transport or rely on public buses
- limited facilities
✨ Our personal recommendation for an Airbnb in Rovaniemi is Sandhill Cottage—this is where we stayed during our second trip, and we absolutely loved it. Located just a 10-minute walk from the train station and about 20 minutes from the city center, it’s both peaceful and conveniently situated.
The house itself is spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to four adults. It comes with a fully equipped kitchen (perfect if you want to cook a few meals), your own private sauna, free on-site parking, and a cozy fireplace that’s just chef’s kiss after a day in the snow.
The hosts, Sanna and Sampo, are incredibly warm and welcoming. They truly go above and beyond to make your stay feel special—you can tell that they put a lot of heart into every little detail. The cottage is beautifully decorated and feels like a true home away from home. Honestly, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to return.
Final Thoughts: Where Should You Stay in Rovaniemi?
Choosing where to stay in Rovaniemi comes down to your travel style, budget, and what you want to experience.
- If you’re looking for luxury and an unforgettable bucket list stay, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel or Glass Resort are hard to beat.
- Want an immersive Lapland experience with lots of included activities? Go for Apukka Resort or Ranua Resort.
- Traveling with kids? Santa Claus Holiday Village or Ranua Resort offer fantastic family options.
- Prefer staying in the city? Arctic Light Hotel or Hostel Café Koti are central and comfortable.
No matter your choice, Lapland’s winter magic will stay with you long after you’ve left.
FAQ Where to Stay in Rovaniemi:
What are the best luxury hotels in Rovaniemi?
If you’re looking for high-end, once-in-a-lifetime stays, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel and Glass Resort are among the most luxurious options in Rovaniemi. Both offer incredible views, top-tier amenities, and experiences like watching the Northern Lights from your bed.
Are there budget-friendly accommodations to stay in Rovaniemi?
Yes! You’ll find options like Hostel Café Koti and Laurie Guesthouse B&B, both centrally located and offering great value. You can also find cozy Airbnb rentals.
What are the best places to stay in Rovaniemi with kids?
For families, Santa Claus Holiday Village and Apukka Resort are fantastic. They offer family-friendly activities, easy access to Santa Claus Village, and on-site perks like saunas and reindeer experiences.
Do I need a car in Rovaniemi?
Not necessarily. Many accommodations offer airport transfers, and the city has a reliable bus system. However, if you’re staying outside the city center or want to explore more remote areas, renting a car gives you extra flexibility—especially for places like Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara or Ranua Resort.
Where should I stay to visit Santa Claus Village?
While you can stay just about anywhere in the Rovaniemi area and visit, the most convenient options are Santa Claus Holiday Village or Glass Resort, both within walking distance to Santa Claus Village
Do hotels in Rovaniemi have saunas?
Yes! Many places, from Apukka Resort to Airbnb homes, come with private or shared saunas. Some even offer access to frozen lake dips for the full Finnish sauna experience.
When should I book accommodation in Rovaniemi?
If you’re traveling in the winter season (November–March), it’s best to book at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular places and holiday periods.
Why are Rovaniemi hotel prices so different?
Prices vary based on season, room type, and included activities. Winter is the peak season, and many hotels bundle in excursions, clothing, and transfers—so you’re often paying for more than just the room.
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