Choosing the right accommodation is one of the most important decisions in planning a Lapland holiday — and the options are genuinely diverse. From glass igloos where you watch the northern lights from your bed, to self-catering apartments perfect for families, to full-service resort hotels. This guide explains every type, who it suits, and what you should expect to pay.
🏠 Types of Lapland Accommodation
| Type | Best for | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catering apartment | Families, groups, longer stays | €100–€350/night |
| Log cabin / cottage | Couples, romance, authentic feel | €150–€500/night |
| Resort hotel (room) | Couples, solo, convenience seekers | €150–€400/night |
| Glass igloo / aurora cabin | Special occasions, northern lights | €400–€1,200/night |
| Snow hotel / ice hotel | One-night bucket list experience | €300–€600/night |
| Wilderness cabin (off-grid) | Adventurers, total silence seekers | €100–€300/night |
🏢 Self-Catering Apartments — Best for Families and Groups
Self-catering apartments are the most practical and often most cost-effective choice for families and groups. You get a full kitchen, separate living space, multiple bedrooms, and complete flexibility over your daily schedule — no restaurant bookings, no breakfast times, no hotel corridors with sleeping children.
In Levi, self-catering apartments range from studio units ideal for couples to large 4-bedroom properties sleeping 8–10 people. Most are within walking distance of the resort centre, ski lifts, and activity operators. The ability to cook your own breakfast and dinner saves a family of 4 approximately €50–€80 per day compared to eating every meal in resort restaurants.
Leviloma offers a range of Levi apartments at various sizes and price points, all centrally located in the resort. Read our full Levi apartment guide →
🏚️ Log Cabins and Cottages — Best for Couples and Atmosphere
Traditional Finnish log cabins are the romantic Lapland experience. Wood-burning or electric sauna, a proper Finnish sauna lakeside or forest-edge, simple Nordic interiors, and complete peace. Many cabins include their own private sauna (often on a frozen lake), which is a genuinely wonderful experience.
The trade-off: cabins are often a short drive from the resort centre and activity operators. For a couple with a hire car who want atmosphere over convenience, this is a superb choice. For a family juggling multiple activity days and tired children, the extra logistics are less ideal.
🏨 Resort Hotels — Best for Convenience
Resort hotels in Levi and Rovaniemi range from comfortable mid-range properties to full luxury hotels with spa facilities, multiple restaurants, and ski-in/ski-out access. The advantage is complete convenience — breakfast included, concierge to organise activities, no self-catering logistics.
The disadvantage for families: hotel rooms are often small, meal times are fixed, and the cost for a family of 4 across 5 nights can be substantially higher than a self-catering apartment. For couples or solo travellers, hotels make excellent sense.
🌌 Glass Igloos and Aurora Cabins — The Bucket List Stay
Glass igloos, aurora cabins, and transparent-roofed suites have become iconic Lapland experiences. You lie in bed with a direct view of the night sky — and if the aurora is active, you watch the lights from under your duvet. It’s genuinely extraordinary when it works.
The reality check: these rooms are expensive (€400–€1,200+ per night), small, and depend entirely on clear skies for the experience to deliver. They’re not designed for families with children. Most visitors do one night in a glass igloo as part of a longer stay in regular accommodation — an excellent strategy. Book months in advance as they sell out quickly.
❄️ Snow Hotels — One Night Only
Lapland’s snow hotels (the most famous is the Snow Castle in Kemi and the Snow Village near Kittilä) are sculpted entirely from snow and ice each winter. Sleeping in a snow hotel is cold (around −5°C inside, with Arctic sleeping bags provided), deeply atmospheric, and unlike anything else. It is categorically a one-night experience — remarkable but not comfortable for multiple nights.
📍 Where to Stay — By Resort
Levi
Levi has the widest range of accommodation types in Finnish Lapland — from budget apartments to luxury hotel suites. The resort centre is compact and walkable. For families: self-catering apartments in the resort centre are the top choice. For couples: a log cabin with private sauna at the edge of the resort, or a glass igloo for one night. See our Levi apartment guide →
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is a city with full hotel infrastructure. Options range from budget hotel chains near the centre to the premium Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus adjacent to the Santa Claus Village. Most accommodation is hotel-based — self-catering options exist but are fewer than in Levi.
Saariselkä
Saariselkä has hotel apartments, wilderness cabins, and some of Finland’s best glass igloo accommodation. The Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort here is world-famous for its glass igloo village. A top choice for aurora-focused trips or those wanting deep wilderness.
✅ Our Recommendation
For most visitors — especially families — a self-catering apartment in Levi is the best value and most practical choice. Add one night in a glass igloo or aurora cabin if budget allows and northern lights are a priority. Use a hotel for your final night if you prefer breakfast included before an early flight.
📖 Related Guides
- Levi Apartment Guide – Best Apartments in the Resort
- Where to Stay in Levi – Area by Area Guide
- Lapland Holiday Cost – Full Budget Guide
- Lapland Family Holiday Guide
Laplandbooking.com – plan your perfect Lapland holiday.