Glass Igloos in Finland: What’s the Experience REALLY Like?
When I speak to many travelers looking to head to the Arctic for a northern lights-focused trip, many tell me it is their dream to stay in a glass igloo in Finland.
The photos and marketing you see of these beautiful domes and the electric northern lights dancing overhead as you sleep next to the person you love seem dreamy and like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right?
In this guide, I am going to give you the lowdown before you book your Finland glass igloo or northern lights hotel for your trip. I will also provide some realistic expectations that seem to be ‘misrepresented’ on the web.
Quick Finland Travel Guide
This guide contains a lot of tips and opinions about northern lights hotels and glass igloos in Finland. If you’re simply looking to book the ones I recommend, here is a quick list of my favorites!
- Apukka Resort (Rovaniemi; I love this place and it is great for northern lights and activities)
- Aurora Village Ivalo (Ivalo; in a quiet area of the forest and is family-owned)
- Northern Lights Village Saariselkä (Saariselkä; great activities and feeling of nature)
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Rovaniemi; unique aesthetic and beautiful forest surrounding it)
For reference, I live in Finnish Lapland, I have stayed at 13 glass igloo hotels in Finland, and I have also stayed at 9 northern lights hotels in Finland (I will explain the difference below). All of these stays were on my own dime, and no one sponsored me.
The reason I am writing this guide is that there is a lot of information put out there to sell you one of these extremely expensive accommodation options for commission.
I have seen guides written by people who have made it pretty obvious they have never stayed inside a glass igloo. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Holiday Inn experience.
And while I don’t want to discredit people in my industry, I also don’t want people booking an experience that was mismarketed to them.
The cost of staying at one of these is large, and I recognize that. I hope this guide helps you make an informed decision for your trip to Lapland! Let me know if you have any questions below!
Glass Igloo vs. Northern Lights Hotel
All glass igloos are northern lights hotels, in my opinion. But glass igloos are just that – dome-shaped cabins where you can lie in bed under clear glass windows.
Northern lights hotels, on the other hand, are hotels that have large windows, not necessarily dome-shaped roofs, but can still offer the chance to see the northern lights through those windows.
Here is a list of the glass igloos I have stayed in or been to in Finland:
- Arctic SnowHotel (near Rovaniemi)
- Apukka Resort (Rovaniemi)
- Northern Lights Village Saariselkä (Saariselkä)
- Northern Lights Village Levi (Levi)
- Aurora Village Ivalo (Ivalo)
- Inari Wilderness Hotel (Inari)
- Wilderness Hotel Muotka (Saariselkä)
- Reindeer Manor Levi (Levi)
- Northern Lights Village Levi (Levi)
- Santa’s Hotel Aurora (Luosto)
- Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle (Rovaniemi)
- Pandomes Aurora Igloo (near Rovaniemi)
- Aurora Hut Rovaniemi (Rovaniemi)
- Utsjoki Arctic Resort (Utsjoki – please avoid)
Here is a list of the northern lights hotels I have stayed at in Finland:
- Nova Skyland Hotel (Rovaniemi)
- Glass Resort (Rovaniemi)
- Iisakki Glass Village (Ruka)
- Magical Pond (Ruka)
- Livo Arctic Resort (Posio)
- Polaris Villas (Muonio)
- Levin Iglut (Levi)
- Vaattunki Wilderness Resort (Rovaniemi)
- Kemi Seaside Glass Villas (Kemi)
- Levi OloResort (Levi)
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Rovaniemi)
- Silver Birch Resort (Rovaniemi)
Some of what I write below pertains solely to glass igloos. Some pertain also to northern lights hotels (which also include glass igloos but other types of hotels with large windows).
📝 Megan’s Notes
All photos in this guide were taken with a camera (obviously). Meaning I could control the shutter speed and that it would not likely be what you see with your own eyes if the aurora is present. I will include the shutter speeds for each photo that features the northern lights inside the igloo, so you can see.
Things to Know Before Staying in a Glass Igloo in Finland
1. You (usually) can’t just lie in bed and watch the northern lights.
Honestly, I wish they would stop promoting them like this. Around 95% of the time, you won’t get such an incredible show that you can lie in bed and watch the aurora overhead. I’m sorry, it just isn’t that likely.
First of all, the aurora is not always strong enough to see its vibrant colors, which means it kind of just looks like a white streak in the sky. It is not until you break out the camera that you can see the green or other colors it may contain.
So, lying in bed trying to see those magical colors with your own eyes through a glass dome that has glares coming off of it just doesn’t happen as easily as you may think.
Secondly, I have yet to visit an aurora igloo hotel that has 100% of its lights turned off, meaning there is usually a light coming from somewhere else (outside the igloos).
Third, the best way to capture the aurora is by camera (with a slow shutter speed) and if you do this, you will need every single light inside the igloo off. And I mean, all of them.
If you read other online guides that give a huge list of glass igloos and they say more than once ‘you can lie in bed and watch the aurora‘, please know that it is very unlikely that they have visited a glass igloo at all or they are trying to get you to book so they earn a commission.
I will say that right now we are in solar maximum and have had some powerful northern lights displays this year. While that makes it slightly easier to see them from inside the igloo, you really won’t have the same sight with your eyes that you will have with your camera.
2. You need every light to be turned off to photograph inside.
Yes, it is possible to photograph the inside of a glass igloo and capture the aurora. But, you will need to turn every single light inside off, including the smallest ones that may be coming from places you didn’t even see.
At the Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä, I had to use a piece of clothing to cover a random light on the wall that kept interfering with my photo attempts inside.
Like other northern lights photography, you will also need a good tripod and have the settings right to photograph. I suggest shooting in RAW so you can lift the shadows, as it will be very dark.
Phones have pretty good cameras these days so you might be able to get some pretty decent shots with your night setting on an iPhone or Android phone. But, as mentioned before, you will need a long exposure (2-3 seconds minimum inside the igloo).
3. The igloos can be pretty cold.
I have had more than one experience where I struggled to control the temperature inside my glass igloo. As a result, I FROZE under the sheets at night (because I was too lazy to approach the front desk).
There is a temperature control setting that will heat the room and another that will heat the glass dome so it does not fog up. Make sure to get on this asap once you’re in the room so you don’t wake up in the middle of the night shivering.
If you have this problem at all, let the front desk know asap so it doesn’t ruin your experience.
4. Most igloos are pretty basic on the inside.
You might think that these glass igloos are super luxurious on the inside, but most are not like that at all. In fact, most are pretty basic.
Generally, you will find a small couch (in the larger ones), a minifridge, a small bathroom with a shower and toilet, and a bed.
Maybe a coat closet upon entering, as well as a desk. But, overall, the igloo is pretty basic.
Three that I recall having interiors that stood out were Apukka Resort (I upgraded to an Aurora Cabin King) and Santa’s Hotel Aurora in Luosto. The standard Apukka ones are the same as the others. I also liked NLV Saariselkä’s interior. Another unique one I have stayed in was at Livo Arctic Resort in Posio.
5. There are lights around the complex that may create light pollution.
There are automatic front porch lights that go on when someone is going into their igloo in most of the ones I’ve stayed at. However, they also go on when someone passes the front of the igloo.
I assume this is for safety and visibility, but it can make photography a bit challenging, as some of them take 5 minutes to turn off. I noticed this at almost every resort I stayed at.
6. You don’t get to pick your igloo’s location.
Most of my stays at northern lights resorts have been in the shoulder season since they are cheaper and the northern lights opportunities tend to be better (fall and spring are the best viewing seasons).
When I have gone, the resorts have not been full, so most have put the guests in good locations for optimal viewing in case the aurora comes out.
But you don’t get to pick. While this doesn’t bother me in some places, it did in others.
I stayed at Inari Wilderness Hotel’s glass igloos this summer (not during aurora season) and they gave me an igloo as far away from the lake as possible. I was in the fourth row from the lake with a view of nothing more than another cabin’s front entrance.
While I would understand if they were sold out (they hardly had anyone there), it was a bit weird.
When I inquired about it, they said you couldn’t book the lakefront cabins (which would be the best aurora viewing spots in winter) without paying extra and asking at the front desk. There was no online option to book these.
I found that a bit weird, and I likely will never stay there again just for the sake of not offering that or putting a disclaimer on their site about these not having lakefront views (but the pictures were only the ones with the best views, naturally).
Most complexes have rows of igloos throughout the property. Some are nice and spread out like Aurora Village Ivalo and Northern Lights Village Saariselkä, whereas others have them pretty close together without a lot of greenery in between.
You’d be surprised… most igloo resorts have a lot of cabins. Not just 5 or 6. But DOZENS.
7. I wouldn’t stay in one for more than 2 nights (if traveling independently).
I think staying in an igloo for a night or two is worth it and a unique experience, but anything more than that? I don’t think it is of good value at that point.
I understand a lot of people traveling to Lapland are visiting with a packaged tour and it is unavoidable. But, if you are traveling independently and booking your own hotels, I recommend one or two nights in a glass igloo and then staying somewhere a bit cozier for the rest of your stay!
On the other hand, while the glass igloos are not the coziest accommodation option, usually the resorts have lodges with fireplaces, nice restaurants, and other amenities that make you feel very welcome.
They also have a lot of activities which keep you occupied. I could easily stay at Apukka Resort for a week (there is a lot to do there).
Good to Know
Some glass igloo resorts and northern lights hotel resorts have minimum stays. So if this is the case, disregard what I said above.
8. People can see inside your igloo.
If you have your light on, people can see inside your igloo. These are not some fancy windows that you can only see out of and no one can see in.
This is something that no one really talks about but I think is something worth mentioning. There are curtains in the igloos that you can shut, but they are pretty large and it can be annoying to open and close them the entire night.
One good thing to know is that if you are not staying in a glass igloo during the winter months, these curtains are extra useful for keeping the midnight sun out!
9. Many igloos look the same regardless of the resort you stay at.
I believe there are limited companies manufacturing these (perhaps I’m wrong but I doubt it), so they produce them with the same style and specs.
This isn’t a bad thing, per se, but it means that once you have stayed at one, you probably don’t need to stay at another. There is a high probability that they look very similar.
Take into account that this is only for the glass igloos. Other northern lights hotels may have different designs (I have stayed at 6 of them and all were completely different from one another).
10. Santa Claus Village has a lot of light pollution.
What no one tells you is just how much light pollution there is at Santa Claus Village! I know this because I can see the light pollution from my house and it makes northern lights photography from my own area a little more challenging.
The only glass igloos and northern lights hotels around SCV are Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, Glass Resort, and Nova Skyland Hotel.
While all of them are nice and worth staying at, expect it to be even more challenging to see the aurora without light pollution here as opposed to other properties nearby, like Apukka Resort and Arctic SnowHotel.
11. Half-board, Full-board… what is it!?
If you are staying at an igloo resort, you may hear this mentioned. Chances are, it does not impact you if you didn’t book a holiday through a packaged tour company. It refers to meal inclusion in the package.
Travelers staying at a glass igloo independently will likely just have breakfast included in the stay and nothing more unless you book that way on the hotel’s website.
12. Most igloo hotels and northern lights resorts have delicious restaurants.
Almost every place I stayed had an on-site restaurant and food experiences that were good! Be sure to review this before your stay, however.
One reason that these properties tend to have on-site restaurants is that they are somewhat remote. There is nothing else around within walking distance.
Some of my favorite on-site restaurants (for hotels listed in this guide) are Apukka Resort, Glass Resort, Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, and Inari Wilderness Hotel.
Some of the other places I stayed at were not in peak season so their restaurant wasn’t open to full capacity.
13. So about Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort…
The photos have floated around for years and this is, by definition, the OG glass igloo resort. They are the ones who created the trend. But I don’t recommend Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. And, no, I have not personally stayed there and this is why:
When you review their ratings, they are just okay.
But, if you dig a little further, you will find some unfavorable articles about them… mostly in Finnish. There is little about them in English other than bloggers reviewing their stays or Tripadvisor reviews (which aren’t all that glowing).
Kakslauttanen has a reputation for treating its employees poorly. I have heard this personally from a friend who worked there and it is kind of known across Lapland. There are also articles about this (this one is in English).
I have heard about unsatisfied employees at a few other northern lights resorts in Finland, but nothing like what I have heard about Kakslauttanen.
Another reason I am not a fan of this Lapland resort is that its owner has been accused of environmental crimes like illegally burning and burying waste in the ground.
These articles are not in English and this was part of an MTV documentary in Finland (it has also been reported on other Finnish media outlets). The owner and founder was sentenced to a year in prison in 2020 as a result (no idea if he served but the charges stood).
Here are a few articles where you can read more (but you need to translate this from Finnish):
So while I don’t know much more on this subject or what came of it, it is enough for me to feel encouraged to spend my money elsewhere.
14. And about Utsjoki Arctic Resort…
This place had just opened its doors right before I stayed there. There are limited options in Utsjoki and I was passing through in the summer of 2023 on a road trip back from the Varanger Peninsula in Norway.
I had NO idea at the time that this was owned by Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Whoops. I stayed overnight (didn’t have a great experience but that is for another day) and now I suggest you not to. You can read more above about the owner of these resorts.
Utsjoki Arctic Resort was also recently accused of advertising salmon fishing on the Tenojoki River in Utsjoki on its social media, which has been prohibited from doing so (since 2021).
15. My favorite glass igloos in Finland are…
I guess it would be a shame to talk about all of these glass igloos and not mention which ones I recommend to travelers
I do plan to do an entire guide about them in the future (giving pros and cons for each place I have stayed), but for now, here are my favorites:
- Apukka Resort (I love this place and even go to their restaurant to eat without staying)
- Aurora Village Ivalo (lovely family-owned place with a lot of nature around the cabins)
- Northern Lights Village Saariselkä (I really like this resort and their lodge is super cozy – the igloos felt like they were spread out enough, too)
- Northern Lights Village Levi (same as Saariselkä; loved this property so much!)
As for my favorite northern lights hotels that are not glass igloos, I love the following:
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (shares the same forest as my house and the hotel’s aesthetic is unmatched)
- Glass Resort (at SCV but has a hot tub for each cabin and a really good restaurant on-site)
- Magical Pond (so much nature around but I don’t advise Ruka as a top destination for northern lights)
So is staying in a glass igloo in Finland worth it?
I do think it is worth booking one for a night or two on your trip (more if you are doing a package deal). Many of them are family businesses and the accommodation option is something that is not comparable to other places around the world.
Just manage your expectations before arriving and realize that there are thousands of glass igloos in Finland, so book one with the amenities and activities that you want.
I wrote this post to make you aware so you don’t leave feeling like you spent money on an experience that was (possibly) misrepresented on the internet. If you go knowing what you get, you will enjoy your trip!
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I am sure I will be adding to this guide over time and I have a few igloo stays this upcoming season, so things might shift a bit (hopefully with some new good recommendations).
More Finnish Lapland Travel Guides
- Things to do in Rovaniemi in winter
- Restaurants in Rovaniemi
- Day trips from Rovaniemi
- Rovaniemi’s best tours
- Best time to visit Rovaniemi
- Places to visit in Finland in winter
- Ruka Peak Hotel review
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel review
- Aurora Village Ivalo review
- Northern Lights Village Levi review
- Northern Lights Village Saariselkä review
- Polaris Villas Muonio review
- Ice hotels in the Nordics
Hi Megan – looking at coming over with a 3 + 4 y.o 2nd week of January. Will only spend 4 nights but wanting to spend 2 nights in an igloo. Deciding between Apukka and Arctic Snow Glass Igloo. Any suggestions? Should we spend the remaining time in Rovaniemi or head up to Ivalo? Thanks
Hey James! Good choices to pick between – but I think I would opt for Apukka Resort as there is a lot to do at the actual resort and it is really centered around kids. They also have a shuttle that goes to SCV and the city center. Arctic Snow Hotel’s igloos are wonderful but further away from the center and even more so from Santa Claus Village. :) I do think that heading to Ivalo is a good option, but with children that age, I would likely not do it as you will have the same things to do there as you will in Rovaniemi. Hope this helps! Have a great trip :)
Hi, do you mind if I send you an email with all my questions about the Northern Lights, specifically in Finland?
Yes but I may point you back to blog posts if they are able to give a more thorough answer to your questions as I am traveling currently :)
Thank you so much for a great article! I am planning a family trip (2 adults and 2 teenage boys) for early/mid Jan next year and was looking at Apukka and NLV (probably Levi).
It’s a once in a lifetime trip for us, so if you had to choose one, which one would it be?
I’m currently leaning slightly towards Apukka – our priorities are northern lights viewing, the winter activities and ease of travel.
Hi Sarah! Oh what an exciting trip you have planned! I think I would go for Apukka as well – so many activities on-site and a lot going on around Rovaniemi (and nearby). Levi is not a bad alternative though – but with teenage boys I would likely do either Rovaniemi or Levi and not some of the more ‘remote’ areas as it may not be as exciting for them! In early January, Rovaniemi will have a little more ‘light’ than Rovaniemi as Levi is still in polar night. We don’t get a true polar night in Rovaniemi. Have a wonderful trip!
OMG Megan, you are a super star! I’ve loved your blog and this article is exactly what I needed!
We are going to Lapland next February, and I’m trying to decide where to stay, as I was thinking about splitting our stay between two different accommodations, one outside the city, to maybe have a chance to see the northern lights, but we are not renting a car, I would like something easy to arrive by bus, or not that expensive by taxi. Do you have any recommendation?
And the second one, at Rovaniemi city center.
Hi Karol! Woohoo this sounds like the perfect time to come here and I am excited for your trip! :)
So, something that is easy to reach from the city center with transport is probably the Apukka Resort. They run shuttles back and forth from Santa Claus Village and the city center, so you don’t even need to bother with a taxi. If you do get a taxi, however, I would imagine it would be no more than 30-35 Euros(ish). Apukka has a lot going on on-site so you won’t be bored at all. I was just out there about three weeks ago seeing the property (they made some changes this summer) and they have built a nature trail which will be beautiful in February. There is also a large lake that will be frozen that you can do northern lights viewing from. They have plenty of glass igloos, activities, and space to find dark skies. Most properties around Rovaniemi are decent, but I reckon Apukka is the easiest to get to and from.
Rovaniemi city center offers the more ‘standard’ accommodation (like normal hotels). I have stayed at a bunch there over the years before moving here. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the places as long as it has a good rating on the website you are booking (8/10 or higher is what I would book on Booking(dot)com). I would just make sure you’re near the city center area. I do know that Haawe Boutique Hotel is nice, as is Koti (they have shared rooms and also private ones).
From the city center, you can take the public buses or the Santa Claus Express that shuttles between city center, SCV, and the airport. To view aurora from within the city (if the skies are clear), you can walk down to Arktikum Museum and stand along the river there is a small park. Others will be there, so it should be easy to find. Hope you have an amazing trip :)