Picture yourself lying on a comfortable bed… Inside of a glass igloo in the middle of winter with he Aurora lights dancing above your eyes! You have arrived at the world’s first glass igloo hotel in northern Finland.

The Famous Igloo Resort

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is located in a remote area, thus allowing a chance to be in the wilderness, yet have modern day comforts. The lobby looks like a rustic winter cabin, made with all local materials, including Kelo pinewood, and decorated with artwork sourced from local artists. Each of the lamps and chandeliers are handmade using reindeer antlers.

The two wings of the property include an ice chapel, smoke saunas, two restaurants, a glass igloo bar, a 250-person event facility, and Santa’s home and workshops. Yes, you can meet resident Mr. and Mrs. Claus at their home anytime of the year!

Photo by Valtteri Hirvonen

Rent an Igloo – Glass or Ice?

Sleeping in a snow igloo is a unique experience. Equipped with sleeping bags and furry blankets, it is actually quite warm and snug to spend the night.

After running the resort with basic cabins and snow igloos for many years, proprietor Jussi Eiramo worked with Finish inventors to create the world’s first glass igloo. At the resort, there are two sizes of glass igloos – the smaller ones accommodate two people and only have a toilet, the larger ones can sleep four and have a toilet and a shower.

Photo provided by Kakslauttanen Resort

Inside the igloo, it is small and basic, but cozy. There is a good-sized bed but little room to store luggage. Most people store their belongings at the common locker building, which also has showers and a spa. It can get pretty warm inside the heated igloo, even when it is -40F outside. The main reason to book a room at the glass igloo is, of course, the views! Once the sun goes down, the northern lights and twinkling stars come up in the sky. One can lay in bed watching them all night long, without having to step out into the freezing cold. It’s basically glamping in the Arctic.

Cabin Igloos

For those who want a little more room, there are also log cabins and Kelo glass igloos (a hybrid of a cabin and an igloo joined together). More popular with families, these individual modern log cabins can sleep up to six, and offer king size beds plus a bunk area, kitchenettes, breakfast nooks, as well as personal dry saunas. At night, one can mosey over to the glass igloo side of the cabin and enjoy the show.

Lappish Cuisine

Since there is not much happening in this village, meal packages can be purchased separately or can be included in your total price. For lunch, there is all-you-can-eat soup and homemade breads. Dinner at the two restaurants at the resort features à la carte Lappish dishes using local ingredients. This is one of the best places in the world to try reindeer meat, crab, and wild salmon. Cloudberries, a local specialty, are offered in jams, drinks and desserts when in season.

Photo by Sucheta Rawal/ goeatgive.com

Arctic Sports

Lapland is particularly attractive to nature lovers who want to stimulate their senses. Guests at the resort can book activities at the front desk or explore on their own. Winter sports include cross-country skiing, snowshoe trekking, snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing, and reindeer sleigh rides. In the summer, watch the midnight sun as you go hiking, biking and canoeing in some of the most pristine sites in the world.

Photo by Valtteri Hirvonen

Getting to Lapland

Lapland is generally referred to as the largest area in the northernmost region of Finland. The quiet villages of Rovaniemi and Ivalo are located inside the Arctic circle. The best way to get there is by a Finnair or Norwegian Air flight via Helsinki. It is also possible to arrive by car, train or bus, though the journey can take over 12 hours.

When to go?

The northern lights are visible practically every night in northern Finland from August to April.

Toast with a warm black current wine, watching glistening snow as far as your eyes can see while sitting by a glowing fire as you celebrate a magical holiday season. Go on, you deserve it!

The author of this post has either a relationship with or received other compensation from the product or service providers that are featured in this writing.

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