01 About Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - Igloos and Chalets
The birthplace of the glass igloo concept, founded 1973. The world largest glass igloo resort with 214 units in two villages, 241 km above the Arctic Circle. World largest smoke sauna, Scandinavia largest planetarium, resort brewery. Breakfast and 3-course dinner included. 40 min from Ivalo Airport. From €424/night.
With 214 individual units including glass igloos, Kelo-glass igloos, log chalets, snow igloos and suites, Kakslauttanen is the largest glass igloo resort on the planet. The East Village is the original site - smaller, quieter, with a historic atmosphere. The West Village, 4 km away, is more expansive and home to most signature activities including the world largest smoke sauna (capacity 100 people), the Cosmos planetarium (largest in Scandinavia), the resort brewery and distillery, and the husky farm.
Every glass igloo and Kelo-glass igloo has a thermal glass roof kept frost-free year-round by an electric heating element. The in-room aurora alarm wakes you the moment lights appear in the sky. Breakfasts and 3-course dinners are included in all igloo rates - the restaurant serves both Lappish specialties and a full Indian menu daily, a genuine rarity this far into the Arctic wilderness.
The surrounding nature is exceptional. Urho Kekkonen National Park begins directly at the resort boundary - one of the largest national parks in Europe, with trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobile expeditions and ice fishing are all organised from the resort.
Book a Kelo-Glass Igloo rather than a Small Glass Igloo if budget allows - you get a real log fireplace, kitchenette and private sauna alongside the glass bedroom, making it a genuinely more comfortable and warmer experience. Stay at least 2-3 nights to improve aurora odds significantly. East Village is quieter and better for aurora darkness - fewer neighbours leaving lights on. Arrive with a rental car - the resort is remote and the nearest supermarket is 10 km away. The smoke sauna experience (world largest) is not to be missed - book a slot in advance.
02 Photos
03 Accommodation
Small Glass Igloo East Village (25 sqm, 2 single beds, private bathroom and sauna); Small Glass Igloo West Village (38 sqm, up to 5 guests, 4 single beds); Kelo-Glass Igloo (log chalet with glass igloo bedroom, private sauna, fireplace, kitchenette); Luxury Kelo-Glass Igloo (310 sqm, up to 12 guests, 3 chalet bedrooms + 3 glass igloos + shared sauna - for groups); Large Glass Igloo West Village (310 sqm, up to 12 guests); Small and Large Log Cabin (without glass roof, private sauna, fireplace); Queen Suite (private sauna, jacuzzi); Snow Igloo (ice room 0 to -5C, Arctic sleeping bags, December to March)
All glass igloos have thermally heated glass roofs that stay frost-free year-round, with an in-room aurora alarm in every unit. The Kelo-Glass Igloo category combines a traditional log chalet - with fireplace, private sauna and kitchenette - with a glass-roofed bedroom. No WiFi or TV is provided inside any igloo, which most guests find enhances the wilderness experience.
04 Price Guide
Usually includes
- Breakfast buffet and 3-course dinner daily
- free parking
- Northern Lights in-room alarm
- airport transfer available (extra charge)
Prices vary strongly by date, igloo category and availability. Check current rates before publishing a fixed price. Pre-packaged activity bundles are often better value when booked separately.
Check Live Prices →05 Review Highlights
Guests love
The sheer scale and uniqueness of the concept - staying at the place where the glass igloo was invented carries real meaning. Aurora from bed via the in-room alarm system. Husky safaris consistently rated outstanding. The world largest smoke sauna. The restaurant Indian menu - a genuine surprise this deep in the Arctic. Urho Kekkonen National Park on the doorstep.
Worth knowing
Small Glass Igloos are exactly that - small (25 sqm) with two single beds and basic fittings. No WiFi or TV in any igloo. Navigation across the large resort is confusing - poor signage and guests regularly get lost. West Village is lively and can feel crowded in peak season. Restaurant service slows significantly in peak periods. No food shop on-site.
Best approach
Book a Kelo-Glass Igloo rather than a Small Glass Igloo - the fireplace and private sauna make the overall experience significantly better. Request East Village for a quieter and darker stay. Plan for at least 3 nights given the distance travelled to reach 68 degrees north. Book the smoke sauna slot and husky safari in advance - both fill up fast.
06 Glass Igloo Score™
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is not just a place to stay - it is the origin point of an entire travel concept. The glass igloo was invented here in 1973, and staying here carries that historical weight. No other resort in Finland can match the sheer scope of what is on offer: the latitude (68°N), the wilderness setting, the world largest smoke sauna, Scandinavia largest planetarium, a functioning brewery, and the widest range of arctic activities. For anyone who wants the definitive Lapland experience in one location, Kakslauttanen delivers.
At 68.4 degrees North and 241 km above the Arctic Circle, Kakslauttanen sits in the auroral zone - one of the highest latitudes of any igloo resort in Finland. Clear dark skies and dense surrounding forest minimise light pollution from the south. The in-room aurora alarm is reliable and included in all rates. The resort scale (214 units) does create some light from neighbouring igloos - East Village is darker and better for this reason.
The Saariselka wilderness location is exceptional: 241 km above the Arctic Circle, bordered by Urho Kekkonen National Park (one of Europe largest), dense old-growth forest and frozen lakes. Ivalo Airport is 40 minutes away with daily flights from Helsinki and seasonal direct flights from London and Frankfurt. The Rovaniemi bus stops at the resort entrance. One of the most genuinely remote igloo locations in Finland.
Comfort varies significantly by room type. Kelo-Glass Igloos and Queen Suites offer genuine warmth and luxury: fireplace, private sauna, kitchenette, proper furniture. Small Glass Igloos are exactly that - small (25 sqm), with two single beds and basic fittings. No WiFi or TV in any igloo. For couples seeking luxury, the base glass igloo is not the right choice - upgrade to Kelo-Glass Igloo minimum.
Two restaurants across the two villages serving Lappish specialties and - uniquely - a full Indian vegetarian menu available at every dinner. This unexpected feature has earned genuine praise from guests worldwide. 3-course dinners are included in all igloo rates. Breakfast buffet is good but can feel repetitive for longer stays. In peak season the restaurant has been stretched by demand - slower service and occasional kitchen delays reported.
The resort is outstanding for families with diverse interests. Husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, Santa visit, ice fishing, snowmobile tours, planetarium shows - few resorts offer this range. Large Glass Igloo and Luxury Kelo-Glass Igloo accommodate groups of up to 12. The resort scale means there is always something to do. Navigation for young children across the large site requires planning.
The birthplace of the glass igloo remains one of the most romantic winter destinations in the world. The Kelo-Glass Igloo with log fireplace, private sauna and glass bedroom is exceptional for couples. Snow chapel weddings are offered in winter. Queen Suite adds a private jacuzzi. The sheer scale and remoteness create a genuine sense of being in another world - which is exactly what honeymooners and anniversary couples are seeking.
With 214 units across two villages, privacy is the main trade-off at Kakslauttanen. West Village in particular can feel busy. East Village is quieter and the original igloos are more spread out. The surrounding forest creates a natural sense of separation, but neighbouring igloo lights are visible at night. For maximum privacy, request East Village and specify you want an igloo away from main paths.
From €424/night including breakfast and 3-course dinner, the base price is not unreasonable for what is included. However, the Small Glass Igloo at that price point delivers a basic experience - small room, single beds, no TV or WiFi - that some guests find does not match the price expectation. The value improves significantly in the Kelo-Glass Igloo category where the log fireplace, kitchenette and private sauna justify the premium. Activities are priced additionally and can add €150-400 per day.
07 Good to Know
Check-in / Check-out
Check-in: from 14:00
Check-out: by 10:00
Open Season
Open year-round except May. Glass igloos: late August to end of April. Snow igloos: December to March
Getting There
40 km from Ivalo Airport (IVL), approx. 30 min by car. Rovaniemi (RVN) 247 km, approx. 3 hours
Transfer: Airport transfer from Ivalo available on request (extra charge, book in advance). All buses on the Rovaniemi-Utsjoki route stop directly at the resort entrance. Rental car recommended for flexibility
Practical Info
The resort has two separate villages 4 km apart - East Village (smaller, quieter, original) and West Village (larger, more activities). No WiFi or TV inside igloos - only at reception and restaurant areas. No food shop on-site - nearest supermarket 10 km away. Navigation is poor and the resort is large - ask for a printed map and note your igloo number carefully. Icy paths in winter - wear boots with grip. Breakfast is the same daily and may feel repetitive for stays longer than 2 nights. Check-out is 10:00 - strictly enforced in peak season.
08 Location
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort - Igloos and Chalets is located in the Saariselkä fell region of Finnish Lapland, Finland. Address: Kiilopääntie 9, 99830 Saariselkä.
The resort sits 241 km above the Arctic Circle at 68.4 degrees north - deep in the auroral zone and one of the highest-latitude igloo resorts in Finland. Urho Kekkonen National Park begins at the resort boundary. Ivalo Airport is 40 km away (30 minutes). The resort spans two separate villages 4 km apart.
09 Nearby Attractions
10 FAQ
What makes Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort different from other glass igloo hotels?
Kakslauttanen is where the glass igloo was invented - founder Aslak Lohi built the first one here in 1973 after being caught in a snowstorm. Today it is the largest glass igloo resort in the world with 214 units across two villages. No other resort can match the combination of latitude (68 degrees north), scale, and range of facilities: the world largest smoke sauna, the largest planetarium in Scandinavia, a resort brewery, and the full spectrum of Lapland activities.
What is the difference between East Village and West Village?
The two villages are 4 km apart and quite different in atmosphere. East Village is the original site - smaller, quieter and better for aurora viewing as there are fewer neighbours. West Village is larger and home to most signature facilities: the smoke sauna, planetarium, brewery, husky farm and most organised activities. Many guests split their stay between both. East Village is recommended for couples; West Village suits families and those focused on activities.
Which igloo type should I book?
The Kelo-Glass Igloo is the most recommended option for most guests. It combines a traditional log chalet (with private sauna, fireplace and kitchenette) with a glass-roofed bedroom for aurora watching - giving you both comfort and the sky experience. Small Glass Igloos are the classic option but are compact at 25 sqm with two single beds and basic fittings. For groups or families, the Large Glass Igloo or Luxury Kelo-Glass Igloo accommodates up to 12.
Can you see the Northern Lights from the igloos?
Yes. Kakslauttanen at 68 degrees north is in the auroral zone - one of the best latitudes in Finland for aurora activity. All igloos have a thermal heated glass roof and an in-room alarm that wakes you when lights appear. The surrounding old-growth forest provides natural dark sky conditions. Light from neighbouring igloos can occasionally interfere - East Village has fewer units and is generally darker. Staying 3 or more nights significantly improves your odds.
How do I get to Kakslauttanen?
The nearest airport is Ivalo (IVL), 40 km away and approximately 30 minutes by car. Finnair and Norwegian fly daily from Helsinki, and there are seasonal direct flights from London and Frankfurt. Airport transfers can be booked through the resort. All buses on the Rovaniemi-Utsjoki route stop directly at the resort entrance. A rental car is recommended for flexibility. Rovaniemi is 247 km south - approximately 3 hours by car.
Is breakfast and dinner really included?
Yes - all igloo and chalet rates include a breakfast buffet and a 3-course dinner daily. The dinner is served in the village restaurant and notably offers both a Lappish menu and a full Indian vegetarian menu every evening - an unusual and highly praised feature. The breakfast buffet is the same each day, which some guests find repetitive on longer stays. Activities (husky safari, snowmobile etc.) are priced separately.