Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi: Is it Really Worth It?

Have you seen photos of the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland, and thought to yourself that it needed to be on your bucket list? Keep reading if so!

This guide goes over whether I think the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is worth the stay (and some tips for your trip if you decide to book a stay there).

I will also include photos and thoughts from multiple seasons there, as my partner and I have stayed there more than once (although our stays were separate!).

Please note that in 2022, I bought a house that is right beside the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, meaning a lot of these pics are from our stays… but some are from just walking past or dining at their restaurant (without staying there). It has been exciting to see the hotel in different seasons.

If you have any questions about how to book the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel or just general questions about my stay, let me know in the comments! Thanks!

About the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi’s Arctic TreeHouse Hotel was opened at the end of 2016 by Finnish entrepreneurial couple Ilkka Länkinen and Katja Ikäheimo-Länkinen. Since its opening, it has easily become one of the world’s most recognizable places to stay!

The unique lodging is located not too far from Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and in a forested area of the Finnish city. It is also super close to the airport.

BOOK HERE: Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi

The hotel has received several accolades (including many eco-awards!) and has also been featured in a lot of TV programs and documentaries like The Reluctant Traveler (with Eugene Levy) and Keeping Up with the Kardashians (Season 17, Episode 4).

Accommodation Info

The property is a lot larger than you could imagine. And, they have been able to expand it little by little to offer this unique stay to more people over the years.

There are three types of rooms:

• Arctic TreeHouse Suite (my ‘treehouse’!)
• Arctic GlassHouse
• Arctic Scene Executive Suite

In the picture below, I stayed in the Arctic TreeHouse Suite (Suite 53, to be exact), which is the one you typically see on marketing material and media. Ed, my partner, stayed in a suite similar during his April stay. I stayed here in July.

From reception, you will either need to go up the hill or down slightly to get to your lodging. The property has spacious vans that will take you there, so you do not need to walk.

Depending on the season (and your driving skills), you can also drive to your suite and park beside it.

Why I Booked the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (and How You Can, Too!)

To be honest, I own a house in Rovaniemi that is no more than 5 minutes on foot from the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel.

So, it is pretty crazy to leave my home and stay at a hotel a stone’s throw away! But I wanted a ‘staycation’, if you will. And I wanted to see what all the hype was about in both winter and summer!

I love hanging out at home, but there is something so fun about staying in a new place for the night, even if the scenery is pretty much the same (but I got to enjoy it more at the Arctic TreeHouse because the window views are simply stellar).

As mentioned above, I booked the Arctic TreeHouse Suite, and my room was the perfect size for me (and one other person) for the night. This is a fabulous place for couples visiting Rovaniemi!

Highlights of My Stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

You can see a short comparison of the seasons I stayed there during below. But here are some of my highlights from my stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel!

The Suites

First and foremost, the most impressive thing about my stay was the actual accommodation itself! The suites are clean, modern, minimalistic, and cozy. They had everything I needed, including a view that made me not want to leave.

Inside, there was beautiful furniture from Cuero, a coffee machine, a fridge (with a minibar), wine and Champagne (for purchase), a modern bathroom with toiletries, a safe, and more.

But it was all about that view. And, as someone who walks by the property daily, I can assure you that there is never a bad season (only ones that are busier and more expensive than the others).

Surrounding Nature

While most people would get to the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel by car and head straight for the parking lot, I have the pleasure of walking there and going up a hiking trail in the middle of the forest and going through a back gate.

In winter, this is pure magic as you walk across a thick layer of snow (although too deep if you’re not going somewhere already walked on).

But in summer, this blanket of snow turns into a bed of blueberries. I walked to the hotel and ate some (not so ripe just yet) blueberries on my short journey.

Another great way to enjoy nature is to head outside of the property to the viewing platform area. It was a great place to see the northern lights, as it offered a panoramic view.

Summer & Winter Experiences

While I didn’t have the chance to enjoy any of these experiences, I have done many of them in some way, shape, or form over the years.

The Arctic TreeHouse Hotel offers an array of summer experiences (like wine in the forest—how cool is that?!) and winter experiences. You can book ahead of time or once you’re there (availability pending).

Rakas Restaurant

Rakas is the on-site restaurant at the Arctic TreeHouse Lodge. In winter, they offer a delicious menu with seasonal and local ingredients, and in summer, they offer the same.

However, in the summer, they also have Friday and Saturday night BBQs. I thought this was going to be some big festival with a lot of people and live music or something. It wasn’t.

I feel like there were the smallest handful of us there that night, but it was so peaceful that it made me appreciate a summer stay at the hotel.

My BBQ was discounted at half-off as a guest of the hotel.

In the winter, there is a large breakfast buffet for guests (and it is included in the accommodation price).

During the summer months, they will likely not offer the buffet but rather a plate instead. When I checked in, I got to fill out a piece of paper with what I wanted to eat.

You can either head to Rakas to eat breakfast or have it delivered to your room for an €18 surcharge. I opted to have it delivered to my room.

I have to say, I much preferred the winter dining options and experience much more than the summer one. But I understand the property slows down significantly during the low season, so it makes sense!

Which season was better?

To be honest, both had their perks!

In winter, you had snow-covered trees and long nights, making the experience cozy and relaxing in a way that only that time of year can do!

During the winter, Rakas Restaurant is full-service, and you can enjoy a meal with the warming and hearty Lappish foods the region is known for.

In the summer, you have greenery and long days, offering a more active vibe to the place. I wanted to sit outside amongst the scenery and trees. I also loved walking through the blueberry forest to get there!

And in the summer, everything had a peacefulness to it because it was the low season and there were not too many people around. Fewer people also mean that rates are lower in the summer (hint, hint!).

Nevertheless, I don’t think there is a bad season to visit the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel because every season up this way is pure magic!

Can you see the northern lights at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel?

Kind of. So, it is really difficult to see them from the rooms and beds themselves as there are safety lights outside, which will pollute your view a bit.

But there is a shelter right outside the gates of the TreeHouse Hotel (ask the front desk!) where you can get a sick view of the Rovaniemi northern lights if they are active!

This is a photo from that exact place!

Is the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel worth it?

I absolutely think a stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is worth it if you’re traveling to Rovaniemi and this part of Finnish Lapland!

And I think that it is worth your money if you are coming up here for a honeymoon or romantic getaway with your partner (but hey, I stayed at the TreeHouse solo and enjoyed every minute of it alone!).

If you want to stay there but your budget does not permit it for the entire trip, no worries at all! You can book one night there and finish your trip at a different location!

Alternative Hotels in Rovaniemi 

Did you book a trip to Rovaniemi at the last minute, and the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel had no vacancies?

This could very well happen as the place is super popular, but there are some other great places in the area to consider if this happens to you!

Here are a few of my recommendations for alternative accommodation in Rovaniemi:

1. Glass Resort:  This is an awesome place – I have stayed here. Has hot tubs and is spacious! Located by Santa Claus Village.
2. Apukka Resort: Glass igloos in a remote location – a bit far-removed but popular, nonetheless.
3. Arctic Light Hotel: Top-rated in Rovaniemi… not unique but a centralized place to stay.

Do you have any questions about booking a stay at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi? Let me know in the comments!

More Finnish Lapland Travel Guides

• Getting from Rovaniemi Airport to the city center
• Rovaniemi in winter
• What to do with a lack of snow in Rovaniemi
• Lapland in autumn
• Places to visit near Rovaniemi
• Best restaurants in Rovaniemi
• November in Rovaniemi
• February in Rovaniemi
• Snowman World guide
• Budget tips for Rovaniemi
• Best tours in Rovaniemi
• Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi
• Things NOT to do in Rovaniemi
• Lapland packing list
• Northern lights in Rovaniemi
• Dog sledding in Rovaniemi
• Reindeer experience in Rovaniemi
• Ruka Kuusamo in winter
• Places to visit in Finland in winter
• Aurora Village in Ivalo (review)
• Northern Lights Village in Saariselka (review)
• Polaris Villas in Muonio (review)
• Glass igloo hotels in Finland

Pin this Arctic TreeHouse Hotel Review

*This site uses affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission.