There are few experiences in the world that compare to sleeping in a hotel made entirely of snow and ice above the Arctic Circle.
During our Lapland trip, we were invited to spend a night at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in Rovaniemi, Finland, and it was one of the most unforgettable (and coldest!) nights of our lives.
For context, I’m someone who adores my electric blanket and home comforts, so the idea of sleeping on a bed made from ice sounded daunting to say the least! But, under the reassurance they have a room with bunk beds (and heating) should you not be able to cope, I decided to jump at the chance.
Just a quick note before we begin- some posts on this blog contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love or believe will be helpful in your trip planning journey. Thanks for supporting our work and happy planning!
The Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos is located about 35km from Rovaniemi Airport, tucked away in the quiet wilderness of Finnish Lapland. Its remote location is what makes it so magical, far from city lights and perfect for spotting the Northern Lights on a clear night.
If you’re planning a trip to Lapland, we’ve shared our full 3 Day Rovaniemi Itinerary which includes this stay plus other incredible experiences like husky rides, reindeer farms, and the Santa Claus Village.
We arrived in Rovaniemi from Liverpool at around 8pm and, travelling hand luggage only, were through the airport in no time. We used the Menevä Taksi app to get a taxi on arrival, which cost €81 for the 30-minute journey to the SnowHotel.
The hotel also runs a shuttle service for €20 each way, with pick-ups from Rovaniemi city centre, train station, and airport. We arrived too late to get this unfortunately. On our return the following day, we used this service to travel back into town - a much easier (and cheaper) option.
A private transfer through the hotel costs around €110, so the taxi or shuttle are definitely the best value options.
Check-in was smooth and friendly. All guests are given a guided tour of the SnowHotel before settling in for the night. Up until 10pm, visitors can join short tours. You can also look at every room in the hotel before the doors close to overnight guests and people retreat to their rooms.
After the tour, we collected our sleeping bags and blankets from the heated locker area. This is also home to the bunk beds in case you decide the ice room isn’t for you!
The Arctic SnowHotel is much more than just an ice room. You’ll find incredible ice sculptures, two restaurants (an ice one and a 'warm' one), Ice Chapel and even an Ice Bar serving drinks in frozen glasses.
We loved warming up in the Kota, which has a roaring fire in the centre.
There’s also the Sky Bar, a cosy glass-roofed lounge with 360° views which is perfect for aurora watching with a hot chocolate or cocktail.
If you’re visiting Lapland as a couple, you’ll even find a tiny ice chapel on-site that hosts real weddings, one of the most unique ceremony venues in Finland!
Every year, the SnowHotel is rebuilt from scratch, with around 30 rooms carved entirely from snow and ice. Each one has a different theme, making every stay unique. Some rooms are designed for two guests, while others are large enough for families or small groups.
We spent an hour exploring the other rooms before ours was ready. Every one was absolutely incredible and so unique. My favourite was definitely the rock and roll room!
Our room, Room 104, featured a sculpture of a face behind clasped hands glowing red. Incredible craftsmanship but slightly eerie in the dark!
If sleeping on ice isn’t for you, you can choose a Glass Igloo instead. These heated domes feature full bathrooms, underfloor heating, and a panoramic roof for Northern Lights viewing, ideal for those wanting a little more comfort while still experiencing Lapland’s magic.
Inside the rooms, the temperature stays at around –5°C, but with thermal layers, a sleeping bag, and a fur blanket, it’s surprisingly manageable. We were advised to sleep in base layers, woolly socks, gloves, and to keep our snow boots in the bottom of the sleeping bag to stay dry.
I’ll admit, I wore all my clothes and still felt the chill, but it was absolutely worth it for the experience. Around 1:30am, we were woken by the Aurora Alarm - staff gently alert guests if the Northern Lights appear so you don’t miss them.
Unfortunately, the sky was too cloudy that night, but knowing we could have seen them from right outside our room made it feel extra special.
If you’re planning a Northern Lights break, check out our full Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in Lapland for Free and What to Wear in Lapland for layering tips that make nights like this much easier!
The next morning, we joined the Snow and Sauna Ice Experience, and it was one of the highlights of our stay.
After breakfast (which was amazing - one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had), we were given robes and slippers and headed to the private snow sauna. This is a bookable extra, it doesn’t come as standard with your stay, but is definitely worth doing.
This was unlike anything we’d ever seen! It starts with a traditional finnish sauna. Then you head outside to a snow sauna. Like a cave made of ice, but with a sauna inside. You can image the steam it produces; we couldn’t see a thing! The experience ended in an outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the hotel and grounds, which felt like the perfect reward for surviving the night.
If you’re visiting as part of a winter itinerary, definitely add this on - it’s the ultimate Finnish wellness experience.
A night at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in Rovaniemi is something truly special. It’s not a luxury hotel stay, it’s an adventure.
It’s cold, it’s surreal, and it’s something you’ll talk about forever. We’d recommend one night in the SnowHotel (two maximum), followed by a few nights in Rovaniemi centre or a glass igloo for warmth and comfort.
We left feeling proud to have done it , and even received a certificate for completing our icy stay!
If you want to see the Ice Hotel and do the restaurant, bar or Sauna you can book to do this without staying the night. You can find escorted trips with transport from Rovaniemi provided here.
If you're feeling brave you can check out a stay at the hotel here
More Lapland Travel Guides You Might Like
If you’re planning a trip to Finnish Lapland, don’t miss these related guides on our blog:
Santa Claus Village Complete Guide – what to see, where to meet Santa, and how to plan your visit.
What to Wear in Lapland – a full packing list for Arctic temperatures.
Absolutely! It’s one of the most unique hotels in Lapland. You can stay in a snow room or heated glass igloo, enjoy saunas, and watch for the Northern Lights. There’s even a frozen lake where sledges are provided and tubes for sledging down the hill.
The SnowHotel stays around –5°C, but you’ll be given thermal sleeping bags and access to warm communal areas.
It’s 35km (about a 30-minute drive) from Rovaniemi Airport, with regular shuttle transfers and taxis available.
Yes! The remote location has no light pollution, and an aurora alarm service will wake you if the lights appear.
The Arctic SnowHotel is rebuilt every winter, usually opening from mid-December until the end of March, depending on weather conditions. The Glass Igloos remain open year-round, so you can still experience the Northern Lights in winter or the Midnight Sun in summer.
Owned by the same company, both offer incredible ice experiences. Snowman World is located right inside Santa Claus Village, making it perfect for families who want a fun day out with ice slides, snow activities, and restaurants made of snow and ice.
The Arctic SnowHotel, on the other hand, is a standalone hotel and experience. Quieter, more atmospheric, and designed for overnight stays or romantic breaks.
If you’re travelling with children, Snowman World is ideal for a day visit.
In terms of the number of ice scupltures, a once-in-a-lifetime sleep in an ice room or Northern Lights view from a glass igloo, the Arctic SnowHotel wins hands down.
Copyright © Build a Break | Website by Furness Media