Planning a stay under the Arctic sky means choosing between several glass-igloo properties in Rovaniemi, each with a distinct setting, price point, and set of amenities. This guide compares Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos, and Apukka Resort using verified guest feedback, official property details, and tourism-board data. The goal is to show how each property matches different travel styles — from Northern Lights chasing to family holidays — so you can pick the right fit for your Lapland trip.
Last checked: 2026-07-10
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Top pick for Northern Lights: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle · Largest snow hotel option: Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos · Best for activities: Apukka Resort · Official tourism portal: Visit Rovaniemi
How we researched this guide
Last checked: 2026-07-10.
Sources reviewed: Official property websites, Tripadvisor guest reviews, Booking.com listings, Hotels.com listing, Visit Rovaniemi tourism portal, and independent travel blogs.
We did not conduct an on-site visit or staff interviews; all pricing and feature details are drawn from publicly available listings and verified review platforms.
Rovaniemi glass igloos at a glance
- Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle is located directly in Santa Claus Village, on the Arctic Circle, with panoramic glass roofs designed for sky watching (Santa Claus Village)
- Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos combines a lakeside glass-igloo village with a seasonal SnowHotel, including ice rooms and an ice bar (Tripadvisor)
- Apukka Resort offers multiple glass-igloo units including the two-floor Komsio suite, with on-site activities like snowshoeing and reindeer encounters (Apukka Resort)
- Visit Rovaniemi curates the full list of glass-igloo accommodations and seasonal offerings in the region (Visit Rovaniemi)
What do igloo hotel reviews say about Rovaniemi?
Guest feedback across review platforms points to two consistent themes: the igloo design and the location matter most to visitors. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle scores around 8.7 out of 10 on Booking.com, with reviewers praising the warm, well-equipped rooms and professional staff. One Tripadvisor guest noted that the igloos are “small but designed well and presented very clean” (Tripadvisor).
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos holds a 4.0 out of 5 on Tripadvisor. Reviewers frequently highlight the snow sauna, snow tubing hill, and reindeer photo opportunities bundled with the igloo stay (Tripadvisor). A 2024 firsthand account described the glass igloo rooms as “compact but well organised, with very comfortable beds” (Passport Nomads).
The trade-off between location and immersion emerges clearly. Santa’s Igloos sits just 600 metres from the attractions of Santa Claus Village and about 2–4 km from Rovaniemi Airport, making it the most convenient option for first-time visitors. Arctic SnowHotel is about 25 km outside the city on the shore of Lake Lehtojärvi — farther from town but in a quieter, snow-covered setting where guests can also explore the seasonal SnowHotel.
What is the price of a glass igloo in Finland?
Glass igloo pricing in Rovaniemi varies significantly by property, season, and room type. The range spans from roughly €274 per night at Arctic SnowHotel during shoulder season (based on a late-October rate listed on Hotels.com) to over US$500 per person per night for that same property during peak winter, according to a 2024 first-person review (Travel HerStory). At the luxury end, Halo Igloos Resort lists a price range of roughly US$1,079–2,860 per standard room night (Tripadvisor).
Official pricing from Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle is not disclosed in a single published rate card, but the property positions itself in the premium segment given its location within Santa Claus Village and year-round heated igloos with private bathrooms and rain showers. Apukka Resort’s seasonal operation — open from August to early April (Apukka Resort) — means lower demand outside the peak Northern Lights and Christmas windows, which can translate into more affordable rates in early autumn and late spring.
The pattern: Expect to pay between €270 and €550+ per night for a standard glass igloo outside peak periods, with luxury properties like Halo Igloos costing well over €1,000 per night. The cheapest igloo stays are found at Arctic SnowHotel during non-Christmas shoulder months.
Which glass igloo hotels are best in Rovaniemi?
Three main glass-igloo properties dominate the Rovaniemi market: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle, Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos, and Apukka Resort. Each offers a different sky-view experience and surrounding amenities. The table below summarises their key differences.
| Property name | Distance to city centre | Glass igloo features | Price range indicator | Noted for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle | ~8–9 km (in Santa Claus Village) | Year-round heated igloos, private bathroom, rain shower, free Wi-Fi, some with private sauna | Premium (no published standard rate) | Direct Arctic Circle location, sustainability certifications (Green Key, Sustainable Travel Finland) |
| Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos | ~25 km (Lake Lehtojärvi shore) | Lakeside glass igloos + seasonal SnowHotel, 3 restaurants, Ice Bar, Sky Bar, snow sauna | Mid–upper (~€274–US$500+ per night) | Unique snow-hotel experience, snow tubing, reindeer photo ops |
| Apukka Resort | ~10 km | Komsio two-floor glass suite, seasonal operation (Aug–Apr), nature-oriented activities | Mid (seasonally variable) | Larger suite option, strong activity programme |
Santa’s Igloos is the best choice for travellers who prioritise convenience and year-round availability. The property’s location inside Santa Claus Village means guests can walk to shops, restaurants, and the Santa Claus office within minutes. Its Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland labels also appeal to environmentally conscious travellers (Santa Claus Village).
Arctic SnowHotel is the best pick for those who want a full Arctic resort experience beyond a glass igloo — the SnowHotel, ice restaurant, and snow sauna are genuinely unique. The lakeside setting also reduces light pollution, improving Northern Lights visibility. However, the 25 km distance from Rovaniemi means a transfer is essential.
Apukka Resort appeals to activity-focused travellers. Its two-floor Komsio suite offers more space than standard compact igloos, and the resort runs its own programme of guided nature excursions. The seasonal operation (August to early April) means it is not an option for summer visitors.
“Rovaniemi’s glass igloos unveil nature’s masterpiece, framing the enchanting dance of the Northern Lights.”
— Visit Rovaniemi, official tourism organisation
- Northern Lights seekers: Santa’s Igloos or Arctic SnowHotel — both have panoramic roofs and low light pollution.
- Couples: Santa’s Igloos (private sauna available) or Arctic SnowHotel (ice bar experience).
- Families: Apukka Resort (larger Komsio suite) or Santa’s Igloos (close to Santa Claus Village attractions).
- Budget-conscious travellers: Arctic SnowHotel in shoulder season or early autumn.
What this means: If you value location above all, Santa’s Igloos is the strongest option. For a one-of-a-kind snow-and-ice resort experience, Arctic SnowHotel cannot be replicated elsewhere. Apukka is the compromise pick for families and activity-focused groups who want more space and a structured itinerary.
How do I book an igloo in Rovaniemi?
Booking a glass igloo in Rovaniemi is straightforward through multiple channels. Each property accepts direct reservations via its own website: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle and Apukka Resort both have dedicated booking engines. Hotels.com and Booking.com list availability for Arctic SnowHotel and Santa’s Igloos, often with cancellation policies and guest reviews displayed.
For first-time visitors, booking directly through the property’s website often provides the most accurate information about room types, seasonal closures, and included amenities (e.g., breakfast, sauna access). Online travel agencies like Booking.com and Hotels.com can be useful for comparing prices across dates, but they may not show all room categories or special packages.
Visit Rovaniemi’s official tourism site also functions as a booking aggregator, listing all glass-igloo options in the region with direct links to each property’s reservation page. This is a useful starting point for travellers who want to see the full range before narrowing down.
The bottom line: Book directly via the hotel’s website for the best room choices and most accurate package details. Use OTAs for price comparison, but confirm the cancellation policy before paying.
Is there a restaurant at the igloo hotel in Rovaniemi?
All three main glass-igloo properties offer on-site dining, though the scale and variety differ.
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle has a single restaurant, Restaurant Arctic Eye, which serves daily breakfast included in the room rate. Dinner is also available, and the restaurant is open to non-guests who visit Santa Claus Village (Santa Claus Village). The property also operates a bar. Because it is located within Santa Claus Village, guests have easy access to several other restaurants in the village complex.
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos is more dining-heavy, with three on-site restaurants: the Ice Restaurant, Kota Restaurant, and Log Restaurant, plus an Ice Bar and Sky Bar. Daily buffet breakfast is included and served from approximately 07:30 to 10:00 (Hotels.com). The Ice Restaurant is a particularly notable experience — diners sit at tables carved from ice and eat from ice plates.
Apukka Resort’s on-site dining operates within its main restaurant, which serves breakfast and dinner. The resort does not have multiple specialised restaurant venues like Arctic SnowHotel, but its kitchen focuses on local Lapland ingredients and seasonal menus (Apukka Resort).
“After spending two nights at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in January 2024… I have the inside scoop on what this unique property delivers versus what it promises.”
— Travel HerStory blog, 2024 first-person review
The trade-off: Arctic SnowHotel gives you the widest range of dining — ice restaurant, themed bars — but you cannot easily leave the property for alternatives. Santa’s Igloos has one in-house restaurant but is surrounded by village eateries. Apukka’s single restaurant is adequate for short stays but may feel repetitive on longer visits.
Our pick: Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
For the majority of first-time Lapland visitors, Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle offers the best overall balance of location, comfort, and reliability. The igloos are heated year-round, the location inside Santa Claus Village is unbeatable for convenience, and the property’s sustainability certifications (Green Key, Sustainable Travel Finland) add a layer of trust. Guest feedback consistently rates it highly for cleanliness and warmth.
Best for: Northern Lights chasers, first-time Lapland visitors, and travellers who value location and comfort over an all-inclusive resort experience.
Consider Arctic SnowHotel if: you want a full Arctic resort package with snow-hotel access, multiple dining venues, and a remote lakeside setting. It is the stronger choice for couples seeking a memorable, single-location escape.
- Santa’s Igloos is 600 metres from Santa Claus Village attractions (Santa Claus Village)
- Arctic SnowHotel has 3 on-site restaurants plus bars (Hotels.com)
- Arctic SnowHotel ratings: 4.0 out of 5 on Tripadvisor (Tripadvisor)
- Arctic SnowHotel is rebuilt each winter (seasonal SnowHotel) (Tripadvisor)
Related reading: Hotel Finse 1222 Review: Prices, Access & Highlights · Museum Hotel Cappadocia Review: Is It Worth the Hype
youtube.com, tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com, meganstarr.com, tripadvisor.com
For a detailed look at one of the most popular glass igloo options, check out this Aito Igloo & Spa Resort review for guest experiences and pricing.
Frequently asked questions about igloo hotels in Rovaniemi
Can you see the Northern Lights from a glass igloo in Rovaniemi?
Yes, but visibility depends on solar activity and cloud cover. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle and Arctic SnowHotel both have panoramic glass roofs designed for sky watching. Santa’s Igloos is located directly on the Arctic Circle, and Arctic SnowHotel sits on a lakeshore with low light pollution. Both properties issue Aurora alarms when the lights are active, though some Arctic SnowHotel reviewers have noted that the alarm system does not always work reliably (Travel HerStory).
What is the best time of year to stay in a glass igloo?
The Northern Lights viewing season runs from late August to early April, with peak activity between September and March. Santa’s Igloos operates year-round; Apukka Resort operates from August to early April; Arctic SnowHotel’s igloos are available during the winter season, with the SnowHotel rebuilt each year. December is the busiest and most expensive period due to Christmas tourism in Rovaniemi.
Are glass igloos heated?
Yes. Every glass igloo listed by Visit Rovaniemi is heated and insulated for Arctic winter conditions. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle uses air conditioning that maintains a comfortable interior temperature year-round. Guest reviews consistently note that the igloos stay warm even during the coldest periods (Tripadvisor).
How far is the Arctic SnowHotel from Rovaniemi city centre?
About 25 km from the city centre. The hotel is located on the shore of Lake Lehtojärvi and requires a car or arranged transfer. Santa’s Igloos is approximately 8–9 km from the centre, inside Santa Claus Village (Santa Claus Village).
Do glass igloos have private bathrooms?
Yes, at all three main properties. Santa’s Igloos includes a private bathroom with rain shower. Arctic SnowHotel’s glass igloos also have en-suite bathrooms. Apukka Resort’s Komsio suite includes a full bathroom on the first floor. Some more basic igloo accommodations outside these three may share facilities, but every option listed by Visit Rovaniemi specifies private bathroom access.
Can families stay in glass igloos?
Yes, but space is limited. Most glass igloos are compact, with a double or twin bed and a small bathroom. Apukka Resort’s two-floor Komsio suite offers more room and is the best option for families with children. Santa’s Igloos does not advertise family-specific suites, but the property’s location within Santa Claus Village makes it practical for families. Arctic SnowHotel recommends its larger suites for families.
What is the cancellation policy for igloo hotels?
Cancellation policies vary by property and booking channel. Direct bookings through Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle typically offer free cancellation up to a certain period before arrival (often 7 days, but confirm at booking). Arctic SnowHotel’s cancellation policy is visible on Booking.com and Hotels.com at the time of booking. Apukka Resort publishes its cancellation terms on its official booking page. Always check the specific policy before confirming, especially during peak season.