Finnish Lapland has long been a magnet for winter travellers seeking snow-covered forests, frozen lakes and the chance to witness the Northern Lights. This season, the region is adding a fresh wave of accommodation options, from glass igloos and sky villas to intimate boutique suites. Whether you're planning a family trip to Rovaniemi or a secluded escape near the Swedish border, here are the new places to stay for the 2026-27 winter.
Rovaniemi: Santa's hometown gets a new hotel and igloos
Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and the self-styled official hometown of Santa Claus, is seeing a flurry of new openings. The Santa's Hotels group will unveil Santa's Hotel Noelle in the city centre, featuring 101 rooms, junior suites with balconies, and a souvenir shop. A covered pedestrian bridge will connect it to the existing Santa's Hotel Santa Claus, making it easy to hop between the two properties.
Just outside Rovaniemi, on the banks of the Vikäköngäs river, Halo Riverside Resort opens 39 new glass igloos in mid-October. Each igloo sleeps up to four and comes with a heated panoramic glass roof, a private sauna and an outdoor hot tub. The resort is a base for hiking trails, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiling and Northern Lights tours.
For a more intimate option, Aava Glass Igloos is a family-owned retreat on Ollerovaara Hill, 10 kilometres from Rovaniemi, opening on 13 November 2026. It offers 12 glass igloo suites for up to four guests plus a one-bedroom suite, all with heated glass roofs and private Finnish saunas. Real-time aurora alerts help guests catch the lights, and activities include ice karting and snowshoeing.
Muonio and Raattama: boutique luxury and sky villas
In Muonio, on the edge of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, Arcora Boutique Hotel & Villas opens on 14 December 2026. The property features luxury suites, sky villas and deluxe villas, along with two restaurants, an artisan bakery and a champagne bar. Wellness is a focus, with three saunas, a cold plunge, an outdoor hot tub, a rooftop infinity pool and a gym. Guests can also book Northern Lights tours, husky and reindeer safaris, and snowmobiling.
Further north, in Raattama, the boutique resort Kelo opened in November 2025 and is adding Sky Villas this December. These villas sleep up to four and feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic fell views. Guests have access to saunas and can dine at the resort's Restaurant Jäkälä, which serves traditional Lapland-inspired dishes.
Lake Miekojärvi and Enontekiö: all-inclusive and exclusive
On the shores of Lake Miekojärvi, North Resort opens on 1 December 2026 as an all-inclusive retreat. It offers 14 villas and two spacious suites with panoramic windows, private saunas, fireplaces and jacuzzis. Full-board meals are included, and guests can enjoy the spa, sauna and an ice-hole dip. The resort's Safari House arranges Northern Lights tours, snowshoeing, husky safaris and snowmobile safaris.
For those seeking ultimate privacy, Octola III opens on 1 December in Enontekiö, 500 metres above sea level on the site of a former radar station within a protected Sámi wilderness area. The exclusive property accommodates just six guests, and access is by invitation only through a private waiting list. Guests can book one suite, two suites or the entire property.
Finnish Lapland's winter appeal continues to grow, and these new openings cater to a range of tastes and budgets. Whether you're after a family-friendly igloo or a remote luxury villa, the region offers more ways than ever to experience its Arctic magic. For more on Finland's evolving landscape, see how Google's €13bn data centre investment is reshaping rural communities, or read about Finnish and Swedish jets intercepting Russian aircraft over the Gulf of Finland.
