Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle — Hotel in Rovaniemi sub-region

We checked into the Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle Hotel and were pleasantly surprised that we received a complementary dinner at the Arctic Eye Restaurant, which is the restaurant inside the hotel, and a reservation was made for dinner later that day.

At Arctic Eye Restaurant, we were given a dinner menu which had a starter, main and dessert. When we finished our dinner, DISASTER STRUCK!

We were unexpectedly told that the complementary dinner was only for the main dishes by the server. We asked the server to double check with the hotel concierge as we were told dinner was complementary when we checked in. Logically, when told dinner is complementary and given a dinner menu with a starter, main, and dessert that all three items would be complimentary.

When the server checked with hotel concierge, they said complementary dinner covers main dishes only. We informed the server that the entire dinner (ie starters, main and dessert) was complementary as per the hotel concierge who checked us in. The server brought the hotel concierge who checked us in and who happens to be also the night manager to inform us that the complementary dinner covers main dishes only.

This was completely different from what this hotel concierge told us originally when we checked in where she informed us that dinner was complementary. At no point, did this hotel concierge clarify to us that the complementary dinner covers the main dishes only. When we tried to explain this matter to the hotel concierge, she pretty much changed her story and insisted she explicitly informed us that the complimentary dinner covers main dishes only when we checked in. A blatant lie. As well, at no point in the service at the restaurant was there any mention that the hotel’s complementary dinner offering is for main dishes only.

We were completely dumbstruck on the lack of communication, dishonesty, rudeness from this hotel concierge and blatant refusal of this hotel concierge to not acknowledge that she may have misspoken when she did not clarify what exactly she meant when she informed us ‘dinner is complementary’.

In the end, the restaurant manager stepped in and asked if we were okay to compromise and pay some of the starters and desserts. We relented as we were not getting any where with this hotel concierge at all and wanted to get out.

In addition, our igloo room had issues. First, the room was filled with cob webs (see pictures) near the main hanging lamp. Second, the room came with a broken mini fridge with water slowly leaking out from the defrosted ice from the mini-fridge. When they replaced the mini fridge, there was so much dust on the top of the broken mini fridge. Not sure if cleanliness is a priority at this hotel. As well, the repair person that came to replace the mini fridge was nice but came into the room multiple times with his wet snowy boots which was not great. Also, the replacement mini fridge is much smaller than the broken mini fridge (see pictures).

We also chatted with the General Manager (GM) the following day regarding our negative experience with the hotel concierge that checked us in. We appreciated the GM listening, acknowledging the miscommunication, room issues, and taking care of the taxi ride to the airport. We were disappointed in the GM’s response that everyone on staff knows that complementary dinner covers main dishes only. If so, it bewilders me how at no point the staff at the hotel or restaurant did not take the time to clearly communicate this complementary dinner policy or even ask to check beforehand. We only found out after we finished our dinner.

Overall, this experience left a nasty taste. It pretty much ruined our ability to enjoy the igloo room experience.

We would NOT RECOMMEND coming to this hotel or restaurant as communication, service, and...

Magical Stay at Santa’s Igloo Arctic Circle –

Our stay at Santa’s Igloo Arctic Circle was truly delightful! From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome with their warm hospitality and excellent service. The check-in process was smooth, and both the reception and restaurant teams were friendly, attentive, and eager to assist.

Beautiful, Cozy, and Well-Designed Igloos The igloo was cozy, beautifully designed, and well-maintained, complete with an attached bathroom and shower for convenience. The layout of the igloos is well thought out, ensuring a good level of privacy—unlike other igloo accommodations where they are packed too closely together. This allowed us to fully enjoy the Arctic atmosphere in peace.

Well-Equipped In-Room Amenities The room was thoughtfully furnished with a TV, refrigerator, kettle, and complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate sachets—a perfect touch for warming up after spending time outdoors. These small details made our stay even more comfortable.

Great Location – Close to Santa Claus Village Another highlight is the location. Santa Claus Village is just a 10-minute walk away, making it easy to visit without needing a car. This convenience added to the overall experience.

Unique Aurora Alarm System A special feature of the room is the Aurora alarm system. If the Northern Lights are strong, the alarm will sound so you won’t miss the spectacular sight. However, if you prefer uninterrupted sleep, be sure to turn it off—because during a strong aurora event, the TV will light up, and the "frog sound" alarm is loud enough to wake you up.

Delicious Food – A Memorable Dining Experience Our room rate included dinner (one main dish), and the meal did not disappoint. The steak tenderloin was incredible—cooked to perfection, tender, and full of flavor. The side dish, cauliflower with parmesan, was heavenly—beautifully seasoned and well-prepared. Despite it being a busy evening, the dinner service was impressively fast.

The breakfast buffet was also a highlight, offering a good spread of local dishes. A fun touch was the DIY waffle station, where guests could make their own waffles—a small but enjoyable experience that added to the charm of the stay.

A Fantastic Experience From the welcoming staff to the well-designed igloo and great amenities, our stay was truly enjoyable. This was one of the best igloo experiences we’ve had in Finland, and we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable...

We were really disappointed with our recent stay. The cost of staying here for one night, was the same as 3 nights in our hotel for the rest of the stay. However, we decided to stay in an igloo as a Christmas present to each other and a once in a life time experience.

When arriving, we had to wait 20 minutes before a member of staff spoke to us. The check in was disjointed with two members of staff half checking us in and our bags being assigned to another guest. There was no option of early check in so we explored Santa's Village and were told that our room would be ready at 4 and the bags would be delivered.

We returned at 4.30pm and were then checked in by someone else as we hadn't been checked in properly. My partner had an earlier flight than me, and when choosing our breakfast slot, the slots until 9am were 'full' due to a tour group checking out. After pleading, we managed to get a slot at 8.30am. Our bags were still waiting to be delivered and she explained they wouldn't be delivered for at least 30 minutes. We took them ourselves and arrived at the igloo which was extremely cold. Maintenance arrived quickly via the tablet messenger app and identified that there was an issue with the under floor heating. He spent time fixing it and the igloo began to heat up a short while later.

The igloo itself is a decent size with everything you could need, including a great hair dryer. We were given two robes however one was of high quality and one was thread bare.

Whilst there has been attempts to privatise the hot tub with wooden panels, we spent the evening in it with children sledging in front of it which was disappointing as we had chosen this for a special occasion. Compared to other experiences in the region and for the price; it would have been great for someone to clear the path to the hot tub and check the cleanliness levels etc. We are happy to do it ourselves but in every other destination for cheaper, staff have helped.

Upon check out, I wasn't asked how the stay was and remained in the lobby for 3 hours until my flight. No one asked if I needed a drink or a taxi, we weren't a priority for the hotel Compared to how other guests were treated upon arrival and departure.

This hotel prioritises tour companies so if your booked on a tour I'm sure you'll receive the service you've paid for.

Wouldn't return due to high cost and...