Arctic SnowHotel in Rovaniemi

Visit the Arctic SnowHotel in Finland, a unique hotel made of snow and ice

Visit the Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi in Finland. Discover tips and information about staying in the snow hotel, dining at the Ice Restaurant, relaxing in the Snow Sauna and sleeping in the Glass Igloos in Finnish Lapland.

What is the Arctic SnowHotel?

The Arctic SnowHotel is one of the most unique winter accommodations in Lapland. The hotel is located about 30 minutes by car from Rovaniemi and is surrounded by a beautiful snow-covered forest landscape. What makes the hotel so special is that it is built entirely from snow and ice and is reconstructed every year. The concept of a hotel made from snow comes from a Scandinavian tradition in which snow and ice are not only part of the landscape, but also used as building materials. Every winter, once temperatures remain well below freezing, a team of architects, artists and builders begins constructing the hotel. Huge amounts of compressed snow are used to form the walls, corridors and rooms, after which blocks of ice and ice sculptures are added to give the hotel its distinctive appearance.

Because the hotel is rebuilt every year, the interior looks different each winter. Artists create new ice sculptures and give the rooms and corridors a new theme each season. This means that a visit to the Arctic SnowHotel is never exactly the same. The hotel usually opens around December and remains accessible until early April, as long as temperatures stay low enough to keep the structure intact. The complex consists of several areas, including snow rooms, an ice chapel, an Ice Bar and a restaurant made entirely of snow and ice. There are also warmer accommodations and activities nearby, making the hotel suitable both for a short excursion and for a truly unique overnight stay.

Staying overnight in the SnowHotel

An overnight stay at the Arctic SnowHotel is an experience you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the world. The rooms are completely made of snow and ice and have a constant temperature of around -5 °C. That may sound cold, but thanks to the special equipment, sleeping here is surprisingly comfortable. The beds consist of an ice structure with mattresses on top, covered with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags designed for extreme temperatures. Guests also receive instructions on how to dress properly for the night. It is usually recommended to wear thermal underwear, warm socks and a hat (check availability at the SnowHotel here).

The rooms themselves are often beautifully decorated with ice sculptures and lighting that subtly illuminates the ice. Some rooms even feature themes or artworks specially created for that season. Because snow absorbs sound, the hotel is also remarkably quiet, which adds to the unique and almost magical atmosphere. For guests who find it too cold to spend the entire night in the snow hotel, there is a comfortable heated area where they can warm up in the morning. Day visitors can also explore the artistic rooms of the snow hotel. During the day the rooms are not used by overnight guests, but you can book this Arctic SnowHotel tour, which allows you to see all the main areas of the hotel.

Ice Restaurant and Ice Bar

In addition to its unique rooms, the Arctic SnowHotel also features an impressive Ice Bar and a fully built Ice Restaurant. As the name suggests, almost everything here is made of ice: the bar, the tables, the chairs and even the decorations. In the Ice Bar you can order a drink that is often served in a glass made of ice. The bar is beautifully illuminated with coloured lights shining through the ice, giving it an almost futuristic atmosphere. It is a popular spot for visitors to take photos and experience the unique ambience of the hotel.

The Ice Restaurant also offers a dining experience you won’t easily forget. Guests sit on chairs made of ice, covered with reindeer hides for extra comfort, while enjoying typical Lapland dishes. The menu often includes local specialities such as reindeer, fish from Arctic waters and other northern ingredients. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can usually reserve a table at the restaurant or visit the Ice Bar. From Rovaniemi you can also book this tour including dinner at the snow hotel.

Other activities

A visit to the Arctic SnowHotel is not only about sleeping or dining in a building made of snow and ice. The complex also offers several activities that are typical for a winter in Lapland. One of the most unique experiences is the Snow Sauna, the only one of its kind in the world. The snow sauna is partly built from snow and heated with a traditional wood-burning stove. Many visitors combine the sauna with a quick dip in an ice pool or by rolling in the snow – an experience that, according to Finnish tradition, stimulates circulation and can be surprisingly refreshing. From Rovaniemi you can book this tour including the Snow Sauna experience. Besides the sauna, there are many other winter activities available in the area. For example, you can join snowmobile tours, husky safaris or reindeer sleigh rides. The area is also ideal for spotting the Northern Lights, especially on clear winter evenings.

Staying in the Glass Igloos

For travellers who want to experience the unique Arctic surroundings but prefer to sleep in a warm and comfortable room, the Arctic SnowHotel also offers luxurious Glass Igloos (check availability for the Glass Igloos here). These modern igloos feature a glass roof, allowing you to enjoy a panoramic view of the starry sky from your bed. The igloos are equipped with all the comforts of a modern hotel, including a comfortable bed, heating, a private bathroom and often a small seating area. The biggest advantage of the glass roof is that, with a bit of luck, you may be able to see the Northern Lights without even leaving your bed. For many visitors, combining a visit to the SnowHotel with dinner in the Ice Restaurant and a night in a glass igloo is the perfect way to experience the magic of Lapland.