Apukka Resort is a destination hotel set among the trees outside Rovaniemi, built around the idea that your accommodation can also be your activity base. Guests stay in a range of forest accommodation that has included glass-roofed igloos for sky watching, wooden cabins and standard rooms, and the grounds contain a restaurant, saunas and an outdoor area for evening fires. The resort runs its own husky, reindeer and snowmobile programmes and works with partners on others, so you can book much of your trip with one phone call and avoid long transfers. It sits a short drive from the airport and from the centre of Rovaniemi, which makes arrival and departure straightforward, and Santa Claus Village is within easy reach by taxi or organised transfer.
Location and getting around
The resort is in the forest on the outskirts of Rovaniemi, roughly a quarter of an hour by car from the city centre and the airport, depending on the road and the weather. A taxi or hotel transfer is the easiest way to arrive, and the resort can help arrange pickups for activities.
Because the site is rural, there are few shops or restaurants within walking distance, so most guests eat at the resort or travel into town for variety. Check the transfer arrangements and times when you book, especially for late flights.
Rooms and atmosphere
Accommodation options range from rooms in the main building to cabins and igloo-style units with large windows or glass ceilings. The igloos are popular with couples and with anyone hoping to see the Northern Lights from bed, though the aurora is never guaranteed and clouds or bright moonlight can spoil the view. Ask which room type has the facilities you need, including a private sauna, a kitchenette or space for a family. Standards vary between unit types, so check photos and descriptions before you reserve.
Who it suits and good to know: the resort works well for couples on a special trip, families who want a self-contained base and travellers who prefer a smaller, quieter setting to a big hotel. Winter is the busiest season, and rates are higher from December to March, so book early for Christmas and New Year. Meals are often included in packages, and special diets can be accommodated if you ask in advance.
Activities are bookable at the resort, but you can also use outside operators. Check the policies on children, pets, heating and cancellation before you commit. Because the resort is a self-contained base, it rewards a stay of at least two or three nights, which gives you time for the saunas, an animal outing and a spare evening for the sky.
Why stay here
- ✓Glass igloos and forest cabins
- ✓Restaurant on site
- ✓Saunas on the grounds
- ✓Huskies, reindeer and snowmobile programmes
- ✓Northern Lights viewing from the grounds
- ✓Short drive from the airport
- ✓Evening fire areas
- ✓Tours bookable at the resort
Good questions
Where is Apukka Resort?+
It is in the forest on the edge of Rovaniemi, about a quarter of an hour by car from the centre and the airport.
Can I see the Northern Lights from the igloos?+
The glass-roofed units are designed for sky watching, but the aurora needs clear, dark skies and is never guaranteed.
Can I book activities at the resort?+
Yes, the resort runs and arranges safaris and other activities. You can also book with outside operators.
