Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is the hotel that made the glass igloo famous. Deep in the snowy forests of Finnish Lapland, well north of the Arctic Circle, its domed glass rooms let you lie in a warm bed and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky overhead. It has become one of the most searched-for winter stays in the world, and it remains one of the most magical ways to experience the Arctic.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is the hotel that made the glass igloo famous. Deep in the snowy forests of Finnish Lapland, well north of the Arctic Circle, its domed glass rooms let you lie in a warm bed and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky overhead. It has become one of the most searched-for winter stays in the world, and it remains one of the most magical ways to experience the Arctic.
Location: Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland
The resort lies about ten kilometres south of the village of Saariselkä, in northern Finnish Lapland, roughly 240 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. It borders the vast Urho Kekkonen National Park, a wilderness of fells, forests and rivers stretching towards the Russian border. Ivalo Airport, with flights from Helsinki, is about half an hour away by road, and the resort runs a shuttle.
This far north, the light is everything. In midwinter, the sun barely rises, and the long blue twilight gives way to dark, clear nights ideal for aurora watching. In summer, the opposite happens, and the sun stays above the horizon for weeks on end.
Saariselkä itself is a small fell resort with a modest ski area, shops and restaurants, a short drive from the resort, and the nearby town of Ivalo offers a glimpse of everyday life in the far north. This is also the heartland of Sámi culture in Finland, and the Sámi museum and nature centre Siida, in Inari, is well worth the trip.
Rooms and suites at Kakslauttanen
The resort is divided into two villages about four kilometres apart, linked by a free shuttle. The original East Village has the classic small glass igloos, sleeping up to three, along with log cabins, suites and a traditional house. The newer West Village has larger glass igloos, sleeping up to five, and the Kelo-glass igloos, which combine a traditional log chalet, built from weathered kelo pine, with a glass-roofed bedroom, sleeping up to six.
All the glass igloos now include an en-suite shower and a private sauna, and the glass is heated so it stays clear of snow and frost. The log cabins, many with their own sauna and fireplace, are a cosy alternative for families and groups.
Choosing the right room makes a difference. Couples will love the small glass igloos for their intimacy, while families and friends travelling together will find the Kelo-glass igloos and log cabins more practical, with space to spread out, cook and relax between activities. Whatever you choose, book early: the glass igloos sell out quickly for the winter months.
Facilities at Kakslauttanen
Each village has its own restaurant, serving Lappish dishes such as reindeer, Arctic char and wild berries, along with smaller bars and cabins. The West Village also has a glass-roofed bar in its observation tower and an igloo bar.
Sauna is central to life here, as it is everywhere in Finland. Most accommodation has a private sauna, and traditional smoke saunas are offered as an activity. In winter, the resort runs reindeer and husky safaris, snowmobile tours, horse-drawn sleigh rides, aurora-hunting excursions, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In summer, there is hiking, canoeing, fishing, horse riding and even gold panning. Santa Claus also has a home in the West Village, a big draw for families in the weeks before Christmas.
The mountain moment
The defining moment is a clear winter night in a glass igloo, warm under the covers as the first faint green glow appears above the snow-laden pines, then swells into rippling curtains of light. If you fall asleep, the in-room aurora alert will wake you when the lights appear.
By day, a husky safari across the frozen landscape, the dogs racing through silent forest, or a visit to a reindeer farm to learn about Sámi herding traditions, completes a classic Lapland experience.
Why Kakslauttanen is one of the best mountain hotels
Kakslauttanen earns its place because it offers one of the most iconic and accessible ways to experience the Northern Lights. It is not a high-mountain hotel; the landscape here is one of rounded fells and endless forest rather than peaks. And it is large, popular and expensive in peak season. But the experience of watching the aurora from your bed is unforgettable, and the resort's range of rooms and activities means it suits couples and families alike.
It is also a wonderful partner to the Swedish Lapland hotels in our collection, Arctic Bath and Treehotel, for travellers who want to explore the Arctic north in depth.
When to go to Kakslauttanen
The resort is open most of the year but closes for the whole of May. The aurora season runs from around late August to April, with the darkest skies from November to February, which is also peak season, when the resort is busiest and most expensive. The weeks before Christmas are especially popular with families. March brings longer days, deep snow and still-dark nights, a lovely time to visit. Summer, from June to October, brings the midnight sun, hiking and berry-picking, with autumn colour, known as ruska, in September. Book glass igloos well in advance for winter.
Questions, answered
- Can you see the Northern Lights from the glass igloos?
- Yes. The heated glass roofs let you watch the sky from bed, and an in-room aurora alert service wakes you if the lights appear overnight.
- How do you get to Kakslauttanen?
- Fly to Ivalo Airport, which has flights from Helsinki. The resort is about 30 minutes away, and a shuttle can be arranged.
- Do the glass igloos have bathrooms?
- Yes. All the glass igloos now include an en-suite shower and a private sauna.
