Aurora Queen Resort — Hotel in Northern Lapland

Aurora Queen offers a remarkable level of comfort for a boutique hotel in the wilderness.

+++ The Pro's: +++ Rooms: The Igloo rooms are warm and cozy on the inside and offer privacy, comfort, style and luxury. The heated glass pannels of the igloo ensure you have full visibility of the outside at all times of the day (it never gets fully dark even at night thanks to the moonlight). The heated bathroom floors made the room super comfortable and cozy. Food: The taste and quality was beyond amazing and exceed my expectations. I'm frankly surprised with the level of cuisine which was offered, especially in such a seccluded place. They offer a mix of local specialties (e.g. creamy salmon soup reindeer sirloin steak) as well as international classics (Pasta, burgers, etc.). Food was cooked fresh by the on-site chef. Special mention to their mushroom soup, which is probably the best soup I've ever had! Service: All staff spoke excellent English and was very friendly and knowledgeable about the region. They were a pleasure to engage with and were very helpful throughout our stay. Activities: While activities in the area are usually delivered by other companies the hotel helped us book these in advance. We ended up doing husky sledding, a snowmobile tour, an evening northern lights van tour and a night reindeer sledding tour.

+++ The Con's: +++ Rooms: Nothing to add here. Food: If you're staying for longer than 4 nights, the menu can get quite repetitive as there are only a handful of dishes offered for lunch and dinner and these barely change. The other somewhat big point is the elevated price point. Since you're staying in a very seccluded place, virtually all meals will be consumed at the hotel. Expect to pay around 20€ for the simpler dishes, the more elaborate ones being substantially pricier. Service: We hoped for a bit more proactivity and guidance when planning our activities. Which would you recommend doing during the day? Which ones at night? what's the best time to go out and see the northern lights? Advice on these things could be offered upfront and proactively. Lastly, room cleaning only happens every 2 days unless you ask for it daily (they did tell us so at the beginning of our stay). At this price point, daily should be a given.

+++ Verdict: +++ Despite some very minor improvement areas I can't imagine any other hotel in the area comes even close to the Aurora Queen. The overall package is truly phenomenal and second to none. This boutique hotel does a remarkable job at combining luxury and adventure.

++ Recommendations: +++ Bring thermal underwear, undershirts and socks (I can recommend Uniqlo) as well as multiple layers, e.g. a thick sweater to wear on top of your thermal gear, and a winter parka. No need to buy snow suits, snow pants or snow boots (if you have regular boots) since they are always provided in the activities. I wore jeans over my thick thermal underwear and was perfectly fine. No need to "overdo" everything. If you're here to see the northern lights, plan a night activity on every night that isn't cloudy. The lights are not stationary and you have a better chance chasing after them than hoping they over the hotel. Bring some heat pads to put in your pockets or in your gloves. You can also get them in Lapland but they are substantially more expensive there. Book your transportation to & from the...

Quick summary (Please find more detail in each sections below): Resort Location (Rooms section): 5/5 Resort Design and room functionality (Rooms section): 4.5/5 Staff Services (Noteworthy details section): 5/5 Food (Food & drinks section): 4.8/5 Outdoor Activities (only the one run by resort, Nearby activities section): 4.5/5 Aurora: 4.5/5 Average: 4.76/5

Disclaimer: I didn’t receive any extra benefit, or get paid by anyone to write a review for Aurora Queen Resort. Photos used in this review are taken by me using my wife's iPhone 13 Pro Max on Night Mode setting using intervals of either 3 seconds or 10 seconds. Photos have been posted without any modification. The detail in this review is from my personal experiences and views without any scientific back up. This review can be found in 2 more places in exact copy which are Ad* Review, and My wife’s Feb* page "กินเที่ยวด้วยเงินแฟน"

Beyond this line is a very detailed review or something strongly related to review.

Background: This is my first honeymoon trip with my wife after our marriage. We decided to explore Finland hunting for Aurora (Northern Light). The trip is 10 days and 9 nights from 8 Feb - 16 Feb 2025. We stayed at 3 igloo resorts in Rovaniemi, 1 hotel in Levi, and Aurora Queen Resort as our last stay for this trip.

This is the conclusion of what I learned about how to hunt Aurora Even on the best weather and best forecast you might not see the Aurora. Most of the color and image we saw is from the camera lens, human eyes usually saw far less. The sky needs to be clear: you should be able to see the stars or the moons and not many clouds. It needs to be dark. The less light pollution, the better. Light pollution includes car headlight, moonlight, light from the city or village center. My favorite type of place is the large clearing area surrounded by trees. If not, any clearing without much light pollution is good. I used three Aurora forecast applications together, but none of them are absolute and they’re ever changing. The further North you go the better the chance. The rest depends on your luck.

Let me give you some examples from my direct experiences. One day we saw the Aurora while snowmobiling at night. Sky is closed most of the day but when we take a break in the middle of the clearing, the sky suddenly clears up and we score our first Aurora. Another day while we go out on reindeer sledge. Forecasts from the app are that Aurora is really strong that night. But it is so cloudy that we can barely capture the Aurora through the gaps of the clouds for just a couple of minutes. Last night of the trip and the same night I took photos used in this review, the sky was closed all day and it's even snowing (it’s the heaviest snow on this trip). But after 6 pm all clouds are gone and snowing stops then Aurora shows up instead. Honestly, I already lost...

"Enchanting Igloo Escape with Unforgettable Hospitality"

My recent stay in an igloo at Aurora Queen Resort was a winter dream come true, elevated by the exceptional hosting that turned this icy haven into a warm and unforgettable experience.

Nestled in a pristine snowy landscape, the igloo was a cozy retreat that blended seamlessly with the enchanting winter wonderland. The thoughtful design and attention to detail in the igloo's construction provided both comfort and a unique, immersive experience.

The true magic, however, was the host. Their warmth and genuine care transformed the icy surroundings into a welcoming home. Nina and Pasi you are the absolute best host in the world .Your dedication to ensuring my comfort was unparalleled.

The igloo adventure was complemented by a range of winter activities, from snowshoeing under the starlit sky to witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights. Every moment was a testament to the careful planning and commitment to creating a truly magical experience.

Waking up in the snug confines of the igloo, with panoramic views of snow-covered landscapes, was a memory that will linger. The chef ooooh the chef ……your culinary expertise added another layer to the experience, with delicious hot meals that warmed both the body and the soul. The waitresses also were truly warm and accommodating.

In conclusion, Aurora Queen Resort offers a perfect blend of winter charm and impeccable hosting. If you're seeking a unique and enchanting winter escape, with a host who transforms an igloo into a home away from home, this destination is unparalleled. My stay was nothing short of perfection, and I can't wait to return to this winter wonderland. Nina and Pasi you have won my heart . See...