For those who’re planning a visit to Finland in winter, you could be contemplating together with a keep in a glass igloo throughout your time there. If that’s the case, we wished to share our ideas on Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, which was the unique glass igloo lodge in Finland.
While there are actually many glass igloo inns in Finland, Kakslauttanen stays probably the most well-known and in addition probably the most widespread. For those who’ve seen pictures of individuals looking of glass igloos in Lapland with the Northern Lights dancing within the sky above them, these have been most likely taken right here.
Though open year-round, it’s a significantly widespread vacation spot within the winter. Along with the glass igloos, the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort additionally presents a spread of actions, the chance to satisfy Santa, a collection of different distinctive lodging choices and plenty extra apart from.
On this evaluation, we’re going to let you know all the pieces it is advisable know to determine if it’s price together with in your journey to Finland. This evaluation is predicated on our personal keep at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in a glass igloo, which we paid for ourself.
We additionally supply options to the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, together with different inns that supply glass igloos in Finnish Lapland, in addition to different distinctive Finnish lodging choices akin to snow inns, ice inns, and even actual handmade snow igloos.
We’d counsel studying this put up at the side of a few of our different posts, together with our Finland winter itinerary, our options for winter actions in Finland, and our Finland winter packing listing. These ought to absolutely put together you for visiting Finland in winter!
The place is Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort?
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is in northern Finland, 10km (6 miles) south of the resort village of Saariselkä. It’s 241 km (150 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.
The handle is Kiilopääntie 9, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland.
How To Get to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Regardless of being in a distant a part of Finland, Kakslauttanen is pretty straightforward to get to for guests to Lapland.
Attending to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort by Automotive
In case you are self-driving in Finland, then there are good street connections. This was how I acquired to Kakslauttanen, driving from Rovaniemi.
The drive from Rovaniemi takes round 3 hours (it’s 247km / 147 miles) and the street is nice. There’s a number of parking on web site which is free.
In case you are ranging from Helsinki or elsewhere in southern Finland, I’d advise towards driving from Helsinki to Kakslauttanen because it’s a great distance. You might be higher off flying or taking the prepare as much as the Lapland space from Helsinki as an alternative.
Attending to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort by Airplane
The closest airport to Kakslauttanen Arctic resort is Ivalo (IVL) airport. This airport presents flight connections to Helsinki, in addition to some worldwide locations.
Ivalo airport is a 30-minute drive away, and the Kakslauttanen resort presents a shuttle switch possibility should you’d favor to not drive. This prices round €29 per individual and must be booked prematurely. There are additionally taxis out there on the airport.
Attending to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort by Public Transport
There may be additionally the choice to take public transport to Kakslauttanen. Buses from Rovaniemi cease on the resort, with the journey taking round three hours. Finland has an excellent bus community. We’ve taken a number of buses in Finland and have had constructive experiences. You possibly can see bus schedules right here.
The closest prepare station to Kakslauttanen is technically Kemijärvi, however you’re going to be higher off taking the prepare to Rovaniemi after which taking both the bus to Kakslauttanen or renting a automotive.
Lodging Choices at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
You haven’t any scarcity of alternative on the subject of lodging at Kakslauttanen. The primary choices you could have are as follows.
- Cabin / Chalet. Obtainable in a wide range of sizes, the smallest cabins are essentially the most cost-effective lodging possibility at Kakslauttanen. The cabins are made out of logs, and have a sauna, kitchenette, en-suite toilet with bathe, and a log hearth.
- Glass Igloo. Maybe essentially the most well-known lodging possibility, these igloos provide you with beautiful nearly 360-degree views of the night time sky. They’re good for viewing the Northern Lights you probably have a transparent sky and a show is energetic. Each small and huge igloos can be found. The small igloos have a rest room and kettle however no bathe and may sleep as much as 3 adults, while the massive igloos even have a bathe and may sleep as much as 5 adults.
- Kelo-Glass Igloo. It is a intelligent development which takes the practicality and luxury of a log cabin, and provides on a glass igloo bed room space for 2 individuals. They sleep as much as six and have a personal sauna, hearth, toilet, and kitchenette.
- Wedding ceremony Chamber. These earth lodges with turf roofs characteristic a double mattress and a rest room with bathtub
- Gold Digger Cabin – discovered on the banks of the river round 10 minutes from the reception space, these are a extra secluded chalet with room for as much as 4 company
- Queen Suite – it is a high-end luxurious possibility with room for 2 company and one little one. It contains VIP service with inclusive non-public airport transfers, baggage service, welcome basket, every day hearth service and every day cleansing. There’s a double mattress, deluxe toilet with an indoor bathtub, and an outside jacuzzi.
You could be questioning which lodging possibility we’d advocate. In case you are solely staying for one night time, we’d counsel both the glass igloo or Kelo Glass igloo.
The glass igloos are undoubtedly essentially the most distinctive possibility and we undoubtedly loved the particular expertise of sleeping in a glass igloo beneath the Arctic sky. We additionally actually loved the electrical adjustable beds within the igloos. Nevertheless, we’d usually solely advocate the glass igloos for these planning to remain two nights or much less somewhat than an extended keep. The small area, lack of privateness, and shared showers (for the small igloos) are some drawbacks.
For these staying for greater than 2 nights, our suggestion is to both ebook a Kelo Glass Igloo for the total keep, which supplies you the perfect of each worlds. Or to spend one or two nights of your keep in a glass igloo and the rest in a log chalet.
The Kelo Glass igloo can be our suggestion to avoid wasting you from switching, however they’re a bit of dearer in comparison with doing a log cabin and glass igloo mixture, so it’s as much as you. Additionally, while you get the same expertise to the glass igloo, the view just isn’t fairly as immersive because it backs onto a chalet, somewhat than being out within the open.
For these extra concerned with privateness and eager to be away from others, I’d contemplate the Gold Digger Cabins.
You possibly can learn latest critiques by vacationers who’ve stayed in every of those various kinds of rooms right here.
How A lot Does Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Price?
Pricing for Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort varies relying on two components.
First, the kind of lodging you select will have an effect, from small log cabins as much as the massive kelo-glass igloos and queen suites.
Second, the time of 12 months you go to will have an effect on the value. There are three foremost seasons.
The summer time season runs from the start of June to the tip of October, and tends to have the bottom costs. Costs begin at round €122 for a double occupancy cabin, or €285 for a double occupancy small glass igloo.
Subsequent is the winter shoulder season, which covers the beginning of November after which March via April. Costs within the winter shoulder season begin at round €348 for a double occupancy cabin, or €375 for a double occupancy small glass igloo.
The costliest time to go to Kakslauttanen is the height winter season which runs from the twenty eighth November via to the tip of February. That is the preferred time to go to, and the time the place you usually tend to have snow coated landscapes and an opportunity to see the northern lights.
Right now of 12 months, costs begin at round €415 for a double occupancy cabin, or €417 for a double occupancy small glass igloo.
Costs embrace taxes in addition to half board, which consists of a buffet breakfast and a three-course dinner. It doesn’t embrace lunch or a every day room cleansing service, each of which price additional. Different providers like actions, firewood, airport transfers and baggage transfers are additionally not included and have to be paid for individually.
Be aware that Kakslauttanen usually closes in spring throughout your entire month of Could.
After I stayed, I booked via reserving.com and you may see costs to your dates and occasion dimension right here.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort East or West Village
One determination it would be best to make prematurely of your go to is whether or not you wish to keep on the east or west village.
Initially, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort was present in one location, which is right now generally known as the East Village. That is, because the title suggests, to the east of the primary freeway. It consists of 20 of the unique small glass igloos in addition to log cabins of various sizes. There are additionally Queen Suites and the earth made Wedding ceremony Chamber.
There’s additionally bathe services for the igloos, a sauna, a big restaurant, and a visitor reception space positioned within the East Village.
The West Village is newer, and is about 4km away from the East Village. It’s important to drive south down the primary street in direction of Rovaniemi after which out on the west village street. There may be additionally a free shuttle bus service between the 2 villages that company can use, which runs on request and takes round ten to fifteen minutes between the 2 villages.
The West Village is far bigger than the East Village, and has completely different lodging choices. That is the place you’ll discover the Kelo Glass Igloos, in addition to each small and huge glass igloos. There are additionally cabins and gold digger cabins.
The West Village additionally has an statement tower, an igloo roofed bar, a big restaurant, a planetarium, saunas, Santa’s village, a variety of reception areas and extra eating places for group bookings. All of the actions at Kakslauttanen are additionally positioned on the west village.
The igloos are the identical design at each villages (though the west village has the choice of a bigger igloo with a bathe). Nevertheless, they’re a bit of nearer collectively on the west village, and they’re out within the open somewhat than surrounded by bushes. This provides higher viewing of the night time sky, however would possibly really feel a bit much less cosy. Listed here are some photos evaluating the 2 to offer you an thought of what I imply.
In both location, it is very important realise that there shall be some inevitable gentle air pollution, so while you possibly can in fact see the night time sky and any Northern Lights, it gained’t be fairly as good as should you have been out in the midst of nowhere with no man-made lights seen.
After I visited, I opted for the east village. This was for a couple of causes. First, being smaller, it was much less busy. It additionally felt extra conventional and fewer spaced out, being straightforward to stroll all over the place. I beloved the thought of a glass igloo tucked away within the forest and the smaller scale which truly felt like a village. The igloos are additionally a bit extra spaced out.
While there have been no actions or services just like the artwork gallery and planetarium of the west village, I used to be capable of soar on a shuttle bus to the west village and make the most of these services if I wished to.
The west village is best in order for you easy accessibility to extra services just like the funky glass roofed bar, and maybe need a extra social expertise total as there are going to be extra individuals about. It’s additionally an excellent possibility in case you are planning on doing plenty of actions as they largely begin right here. In case you are visiting as a household and wish to minimise issues like shuttle bus time, it is a good possibility.
Your lodging alternative can even partly dictate the place you keep. In order for you a small glass igloo, you possibly can keep at both village. In order for you a big glass igloo or Kelo glass igloo, you may be on the west village. In order for you a Queen suite or earth lodge, these are solely on the east village.
Another choice is to spend an evening at each villages by selecting completely different kinds of lodging, though I’d advocate staying at one village to your entire keep in order to not lose time which you may be utilizing for enjoyable actions!
Eating at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
If you ebook to remain at Kakslauttanen, your keep will embrace a three-course a-la-carte dinner in addition to a buffet breakfast. Drinks should not included, apart from espresso, tea and juice with breakfast. Usually you’d have your meals on the foremost restaurant in your village (the West Village Aurora restaurant or the East Village Kelo restaurant).
You possibly can organize nonetheless organize to dine on the restaurant within the different village to the place you’re staying if you wish to attempt completely different environment for considered one of your nights. Teams even have the choice of reserving in both of the eating places.
The meals could be very a lot within the conventional Laplandic model, so count on issues like hearty soups, reindeer meat, potatoes, lingonberry sauce, and fish. When you have any dietary necessities or preferences, it would be best to let the resort know prematurely to make sure you may be catered for.
Breakfast is a buffet model primarily that includes chilly meats and cheeses, bread and cereals, in addition to pickled greens and fish. There are additionally typically sizzling objects like scrambled eggs.
I loved all of the meals I had at Kakslauttanen. There was not an enormous alternative on the menu, nevertheless it was hearty and attractive.
Lunch can also be out there on the two eating places, though it isn’t included within the worth of your keep. This is sensible as lots of people spend the day participating in actions, and lots of of those actions embrace some type of packed lunch or different meals. Nevertheless, should you aren’t doing an exercise with an included meal, then you possibly can have a meal at one of many on-site eating places.
Lastly, in order for you a extra particular meal, you possibly can ebook a particular Lappish dinner. This does have an additional price.
Actions Obtainable at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort presents plenty of various kinds of actions and experiences you could ebook. Some happen on the resort itself and a few happen elsewhere within the native space. A few of these like particular Lappish dinners, the planetarium, Sami museum visits, and smoke saunas, are usually out there year-round however many are seasonal or weather-dependent.
A pleasant factor about Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is that you are able to do most of the widespread summer time actions in Finland and winter actions in Finland on web site.
In summer time, the next actions are normally out there to ebook (observe that a few of these shall be climate dependent):
- Mountain climbing
- Midnight Solar excursions
- Horseback Driving
- Canoeing and Rafting
- Visits to Sami museum
- Fishing
- Saunas
- Farm visits
- Gold panning
In winter, the next actions are normally out there to ebook (observe that a few of these shall be climate / snow dependent):
- Nordic Snowboarding and Snowshoeing (tools rental in addition to instruction is on the market)
- Husky Safari
- Reindeer Safaris
- Horse Sleigh Rides
- Horseback Rides
- Snowmobile Safari. Numerous choices can be found, together with an in a single day journey and aurora searching
- Snow tank journey. Additionally the choice to go aurora searching within the snow tank
- Ice fishing
- Saunas
- Santa Claus visits
- Aurora searching excursions
- Downhill snowboarding and snowboarding at close by ski space
Pricing for all these actions will be discovered on the web site. Some must be booked prematurely of your go to, so I might undoubtedly advise reserving something you wish to do earlier than you arrive to keep away from disappointment. Value clever, I might say that almost all of the actions are on just about on par with reserving the actions anyplace else in Finland.
What are the Probabilities of Seeing the Northern Lights at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort?
Finnish Lapland is without doubt one of the greatest locations to see the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, on earth throughout the winter months. Nevertheless, the possibilities to see the Northern Lights at Kakslauttanen are going to range drastically relying on the month, season, climate, and 12 months as aurora exercise could be very unpredictable.
You want a mixture of sturdy photo voltaic wind exercise, good native climate, clear skies, and darkness. A little bit of luck additionally helps!
Nevertheless, there are a selection of things that may enhance your possibilities:
- Go to throughout the winter months. Though it’s doable to view the Northern Lights in Finland from late August to late April, the perfect months are December to March as a result of you could have extra dead nights. As well as, you usually tend to have pretty snowy landscapes which can make your northern lights photos look even higher
- Keep multiple night time. The longer you keep the higher your probabilities of seeing the Northern Lights shall be!
- Test the Finnish meteorological web site for exercise which may trigger the northern lights. You can too obtain apps which notify you of exercise in your space. Moreover, you should use the in-room aurora alert service which can notify you of any exercise.
- Contemplate a Northern Lights targeted night tour. These excursions will get you away from the lights of the resort for the very best viewing circumstances
Take a look at my information to photographing the northern lights so you’re absolutely ready do you have to be fortunate!
Finest Time of Yr to go to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort?
I might personally say that winter is the perfect time to go to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, simply because that’s when there’s more likely to be snow in addition to an opportunity to see the Northern Lights and do a number of the distinctive winter actions in Lapland. It’s also a preferred place for households to return to rejoice Christmas in December.
Nevertheless, there are enjoyable issues to do on this a part of Finland all year long. We’ve loved visiting Finland in all seasons. lodging is far cheaper, much less crowded, don’t want to fret about freezing temps and dangerous winter climate, don’t must pack all that winter gear, Midnight Solar, and so on.
Kakslauttanen is open many of the 12 months so you possibly can get pleasure from it any time of the 12 months and every season goes to be very completely different.
Is Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Price It?
That is in fact a troublesome query to reply, as everybody has a unique opinion of worth.
I very a lot loved my keep at Kakslauttanen and my night time within the glass igloo. It was a singular expertise, in contrast to something I’ve had earlier than, and that undoubtedly made it price it for me. From pushing my baggage to my igloo on a toboggan, to mendacity beneath the celebrities in a glass dome surrounded by a winter wonderland, it was actually pretty.
The essential factor to understand when it comes to worth is that while the costs are according to a luxurious 5* lodge expertise, you’re primarily paying for the expertise and setting somewhat than a high-end lodge room.
For the glass igloo for instance, you’re paying for the expertise of sleeping in a glass igloo somewhat than a luxurious lodging. For the small igloos, for instance, you must go to a separate constructing to make use of a bathe – not one thing you would possibly usually count on at a 5* lodge!
As well as, privateness just isn’t actually a precedence within the igloos. While there’s a small curtain that hides the mattress space, and the toilet is behind opaque glass, the igloo is usually designed to give you an unobstructed view out. For those who can see out, then individuals can clearly see in.
There aren’t precisely lots of people round, and with the privateness curtains across the mattress drawn I by no means felt this was a difficulty, however you would possibly really feel in another way.
In order for you a extra luxurious expertise with the igloo possibility, then I might advocate the Kelo Glass igloo as an alternative, as this offers you the consolation of a log cabin with a hearth and full toilet, in addition to a pleasant igloo-style space to sleep in.
I preferred that breakfast and dinner have been included with the keep, as that will increase the worth.
One other factor that’s good about staying at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is that almost all of winter actions you would possibly wish to do in Finland will be organized on web site, together with husky sledding, reindeer safaris, snowmobiling and ice fishing.
While these are all issues that may be independently organized in Finland, it does imply you are able to do rather a lot on the resort and mainly have your full Finland winter expertise in a single place.
Total, I loved my keep at Kakslauttanen. While it’s undoubtedly not a funds vacation spot, it’s the kind of place you go to for the expertise, and as such we predict it was price it. Simply you’ll want to handle your expectations and perceive you’re paying for the general expertise and site, somewhat than a high-end luxurious keep.
Options to Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
While Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort was the primary resort to popularise glass igloos in Finland, it’s undoubtedly not the one possibility you must select from right now. Whether or not you’re in search of a cheaper various or for a glass igloo in a unique a part of Finland, we have now some instructed choices for you.
There are a number of areas throughout Finland the place you possibly can keep in a glass igloo or comparable model lodging. Most of those additionally supply different lodging choices in addition to the chance to partake in numerous winter actions.
Here’s a listing that features the vast majority of the glass igloo and comparable model inns in Finland. These are ordered by proximity to Kakslauttanen, with the closest on the high.
Along with glass igloos, you may also contemplate staying in a snow lodge, ice lodge, or snow igloo whereas in Finland. These are seasonal and usually open annually in December and shut on the finish of March or starting of April, relying on snow and temperatures. Some choices to contemplate are the next.
- Arctic Snow Resort – This snow lodge is positioned in Sinettä outdoors Rovaniemi and presents individually embellished rooms fabricated from ice and snow. On-site services embrace a snow sauna, an ice bar, and three lakeside eating places.
- SnowHotel – This ice lodge is a part of the bigger Snow Citadel complicated in Kemi and presents uniquely embellished and sculpted ice rooms. There may be additionally a heated lounge space for company to loosen up in earlier than going to sleep. There may be additionally the Snow Citadel, a restaurant, a snow chapel, exhibition, and different facilities on web site. We’ve stayed right here.
- SnowVillage Resort – This snow lodge is positioned within the city of Kittilä close to Levi. Every year, the SnowVillage decorates itself based mostly on a unique theme. There are additionally 2 eating places and a pair of bars on web site.
- The Fortunate Ranch, a horse ranch the place a handful of snow igloos are constructed annually in Pyhätunturi inside the Pyhä-Luosto Nationwide Park. This was an excellent expertise with breakfast included and a heated additional room with beds arrange in case company get too chilly in a single day within the igloos.
We’ve stayed and visited most of the snow inns and ice inns in Finland, so you probably have any questions, be happy to ask and we’re completely satisfied to attempt to assist!
Additional Studying
And that’s it for our evaluation of Kakslauttanen Arctic resort. We hope you discovered it helpful! Earlier than you head off and begin reserving your journey, we did simply wish to share with you some extra sources we’ve put collectively on our time in Finland, that will help you along with your planning.
- We’ve an in depth one-week Finland winter itinerary that will help you plan a tour of the nation
- We’ve a information to issues to do in Rovaniemi, to offer you extra inspiration for what to do within the city
- We’ve a complete information to all our favorite winter actions in Finland
- Finland could be very chilly in winter, and the important thing to an excellent journey is to pack appropriately! That can assist you out, we have now put collectively an in depth information to what to pack for Finland in winter
- For those who’re in search of extra locations to go to in Finland, see our guides to visiting Porvoo, visiting Oulu and visiting Rauma
- Helsinki is the capital metropolis of Finland, and one we undoubtedly advocate you spend a while. See our information to issues to do in Helsinki, a instructed 1 day Helsinki itinerary, and our evaluation of the Helsinki card that will help you plan your time right here
- One other of our favorite winter areas in Finland is Iso Syote. See our information to visiting Iso Syote right here.
- It’s not all about winter – Finland is an superior summer time vacation spot too! See our information to visiting Finland in summer time
- Lastly, should you’re in search of a guidebook, you would possibly checkout the Lonely Planet information to Finland or the Perception Information to Finland
As all the time, we’re completely satisfied to reply your questions – simply pop them within the feedback part beneath and we’ll get again to you as quickly as we will.
