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Rovaniemi is THE tourist destination in Finnish Lapland. It’s a bit like Tromso in Norway, in that it’s the region’s capital, the city where most of the activities take place, the city where everything is easy in fact.
So if you want to visit Lapland, choosing Rovaniemi over any other city makes sense. On the other hand, where there’s tourism, there’s a high supply of accommodation and the prices that go with it. And that’s a little problem in Rovaniemi!
But if you get in early, you’ll be able to treat yourself to some great accommodations, and above all, you won’t have to sell a kidney for a place to stay here.
Anyway, let’s take a look at the accommodation options in Rovaniemi!
Find a cottage in the countryside around Rovaniemi
If you rent a car in Rovaniemi, then you can easily find very nice family accommodation in the middle of nature, and it’s just a few kilometers to find yourself by a lake, in a cottage in the middle of the forest, in short, far (but close) from civilization! Here are a few examples. However, it’s quite popular, so bookings need to be made well in advance.
📍 Sonka · secluded cottage deep in nature (~45 km from Rovaniemi)
Cottage in total peace deep in the Finnish wilderness, with a private sauna. « A haven of peace » in an idyllic setting to truly disconnect.
- Private sauna, equipped kitchen and terrace
- Free parking, location rated 9.7/10
- Secluded natural setting, ideal for the northern lights
Free cancellation
From €150 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · forest cottage, 18 km from Santa Claus Village
A « cute and comfortable » little cabin tucked in the forest, with a sauna guests love. The caring host recommends nearby walks.
- Kitchenette, terrace and private bathroom
- Much-loved sauna, free Wi-Fi and parking
- Location rated 9.5/10, attentive host
Free cancellation
From €100 / night
📍 Lake Iso-Vietonen · cottages on a private beach (~50 min from Rovaniemi)
Outstanding cottages on a private beach of Lake Iso-Vietonen, private sauna and lake-view terrace. « Everything is here »: cosy decor, calm and untouched nature.
- Private sauna and lake-view terrace in each cottage
- Equipped kitchen, fireplace and lounge area
- Exceptional 9.8/10 rating from 288 reviews
Free cancellation
From €160 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · design mini-villa with private beach (~25 km)
A refined, modern little villa by the water, hot tub and sauna included. « Peaceful, in short perfect » say delighted guests.
- Private hot tub and sauna, 45 m²
- Private beach, shuttle, pets allowed
- Location rated 9.7/10, thoughtful extras
Free cancellation
From €290 / night
4 superb resorts surrounded by nature
Around Rovaniemi, there’s more than just cottages lost in the forest. If you want to be pampered and treated with the utmost care, then there are some very nice resorts that will provide you with all the comfort you need, just to make you dream a little!
📍 Vaattunki · nature resort 24 km from Rovaniemi
Upscale resort surrounded by hiking trails and wild nature, 24 km from Rovaniemi. A « magical place » where you can watch the auroras from your bed.
- Cosy, comfortable igloos with nature views
- Northern lights visible on site
- Hearty breakfast, 999 reviews (location 9.4/10)
Free cancellation
From €280 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · luxury yurts by the river
Spacious, well-insulated luxury yurts in a magical riverside setting. A quirky concept praised for its comfort and the sledges on hand.
- Heated, clean and spacious yurts
- Barbecue, sledges and room service
- Self-service breakfast, location rated 9.5/10
Free cancellation
From €350 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · stilted suites near SantaPark
Design suites on stilts with floor-to-ceiling forest views, next to SantaPark. A lovely spot to watch for auroras, with a well-regarded restaurant.
- Stilted rooms with forest views
- Well-liked restaurant, attentive service
- Free parking and Wi-Fi (552 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €350 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · brand-new cabins with private beach (20 km from the village)
Brand-new, spotless cabins facing nature, with a private beach and restaurant. « A safe oasis in the middle of nature » say guests.
- Recent cabins, private beach and barbecue
- Restaurant and free private parking
- Location rated 9.3/10, nature views
Free cancellation
From €160 / night
Good hotels in Rovaniemi
If you want to be right in the center of town, that’s also super easy. As the city is quite large, there are lots of hotels, and some of them are really good. We’ve got the classic northern chains like Scandic and Sokos, but generally speaking, what stands out in these establishments is the bedding, which is fantastic, and the buffet-style breakfast, which will delight absolutely everyone. Well, I love it!
Prices can really vary from simple to triple in low season (April or September) and high season (February). I’m only giving you a small selection, as there are many more, but these ones seem to me to be really good and not (too) expensive compared to some of the others
📍 Rovaniemi · city centre, 150 m from the Kemijoki River
Central, practical hotel 150 m from the Kemijoki River, with two restaurants. « Very well located » and a « fabulous breakfast » praised by guests.
- 2 restaurants, air conditioning and minibar
- Private parking, free Wi-Fi
- Location rated 9.4/10 (340 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €150 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · design boutique hotel in the centre
Boutique hotel with ultra-modern, individually themed rooms, right in the centre. Free sauna and beloved staff: « perfect location ».
- Design rooms, some with a kitchenette
- 30 min of free sauna, bathrobes and Nespresso
- Location rated 9.6/10 from 1,653 reviews
Free cancellation
From €170 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · right in the city centre
A safe bet in the heart of Rovaniemi with free Finnish sauna and gym. Spacious rooms and a « very generous breakfast ».
- Free Finnish sauna and gym
- 2 restaurants, family rooms
- Location rated 9.4/10 (1,351 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €100 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · charming apart-hotel in the city centre
Upscale, charming apart-hotel in the heart of Rovaniemi, tasteful decor and a stocked fridge. « We loved the faux fireplace and the decoration. »
- Equipped apartments, faux fireplace, air conditioning
- Breakfast in the fridge, luggage drop-off
- Location rated 9.8/10 (485 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €170 / night
Staying at Santa Claus Village
Of course, visiting Santa Claus Village is one of the must-do activities in Finnish Lapland, but the good news is that you can sleep there, and unlike many tourist centers, the accommodations here are really nice! You have several options:
📍 Rovaniemi · glass-roof igloos 8 km from the centre
Elegant glass-roof igloos to watch the stars from your bed, 8 km from the centre. « Intimate and romantic », a lovely experience.
- Igloos with glass roof and sauna
- On-site restaurant, picturesque setting
- Free parking and Wi-Fi (location 9.2/10)
Free cancellation
From €300 / night
📍 Santa Claus Village · apartments with glass roof
Luxurious apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows, private sauna and outdoor hot tub, right in Santa Claus Village. « An unforgettable stay, perfect. »
- Glass roof, private hot tub and sauna
- Walking distance to Santa Claus' Office
- Half-board available, location 9.6/10
Free cancellation
From €397 / night
📍 Santa Claus Village · cottages 8 km north of Rovaniemi
Warm cottages in the heart of Santa Claus Village, each with a private sauna and kitchenette. « So cute » and ideally placed near the activities.
- Private sauna and kitchenette in each cottage
- In the heart of the village, near the activities
- 5,308 reviews (location 9.2/10)
Free cancellation
From €130 / night
📍 Santa Claus Village · design hotel beyond the Arctic Circle
A sleek Scandinavian-design hotel within Santa Claus Village, with a sauna. « Everything was perfect: welcome, location, comfort. »
- Spacious Scandinavian-design rooms
- Sauna, very good breakfast
- Location rated 9.6/10 (799 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €240 / night
4 superb accommodations in Ounasvaara
Ounasvaara is the ski resort, the big hill of Rovaniemi. It’s also a place of superb natural beauty where you can stay in the middle of nowhere while overlooking Rovaniemi. And what’s more, it’s a great place to see the Northern Lights! Basically, you want to have your cake and eat it too, and staying at Ounasvaara means having it all at the same time!
📍 Ounasvaara · at the foot of the ski slopes, near the Kemijoki
Chalet-apartments at the foot of the Ounasvaara ski resort, with an in-room sauna. « Location with ski access » and a quality breakfast.
- Direct access to the ski slopes
- In-room sauna, 3 restaurants
- Exceptional breakfast (1,685 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €140 / night
📍 Ounasvaara hill · in the forest, next to the slopes
Hotel set in the forest on Ounasvaara hill, rooftop terrace and views over snowy firs. « The place is truly magical », a restaurant worth the detour.
- Rooftop terrace and rooms with a view
- Acclaimed restaurant, walks from the door
- Exceptional breakfast (1,286 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €160 / night
📍 Ounasvaara · modern cottages 3 km from the centre
Modern 67 m² cottages quiet in nature yet 3 km from the centre, sauna and fireplace. « Magnificent, authentic », with immediate trail access.
- 2-bedroom cottages, sauna and fireplace
- Sledges provided, immediate trail access
- Location rated 9.5/10 (1,068 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €160 / night
📍 Ounasvaara · sports resort 2 km from the centre
Family resort near the ski slope, with a pool, bowling and a playground. Ideal with kids: « kid-friendly facilities, excellent buffet ».
- Pool, bowling and playground
- Modern rooms, family-friendly
- Well-rated breakfast buffet (2,648 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €120 / night
Rent an apartment in Rovaniemi
If you prefer an apartment, for practical reasons, to have space, to be with your family, or for any other totally valid reason, then you’ve come to the right place. There are lots and lots of apartments available in Rovaniemi! And frankly, it’s not bad at all! Most of the apartments are new and, as is often the case in Finland, the buildings are well built and superbly insulated. And they usually all have a sauna. The basics!
📍 Rovaniemi · central apartment, ~1 km from Arktikum
Clean, well-located apartment with balcony and kitchen, perfect as a base. A « very responsive » contact: Tanja makes sure the stay runs smoothly.
- 29 m² with balcony, kitchen and coffee machine
- Airport shuttle, free Wi-Fi
- Location rated 9.6/10, responsive host
Free cancellation
From €85 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · suite with sauna, 300 m from Arktikum
A 50 m² suite with private sauna, balcony and terrace, ideally placed for excursions. « Quiet, very clean », lovely hosts.
- Private sauna, balcony and terrace
- Equipped kitchen, airport shuttle
- Location rated 9.3/10, free parking
Free cancellation
From €130 / night
📍 Santa Claus Village · 100 m² luxury apartment
Vast 100 m² luxury apartment in Santa Claus Village, with attentive hospitality. « Everything was perfect », wonderful and available hosts.
- 100 m², sauna and high-end decor
- Free airport shuttle, breakfast
- Exceptional 9.8/10 rating, wonderful hosts
Free cancellation
From €900 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · 600 m from the station, free parking
A lovely 71 m² apartment, cosy and well-decorated, steps from the station, with free parking and Wi-Fi. « Good property, good price » say guests.
- 71 m² with kitchen, balcony, pets allowed
- 600 m from the station, free private parking
- Location rated 9.5/10, flexible check-in
Free cancellation
From €260 / night
CAR RENTAL IN LAPLAND
Wander in Finnish Lapland with Discover Cars
- Rent a car from many airports or in the city
- Small model, SUV or 4×4 for adventure!
- Prices from €20
Low prices and quality hostels in Rovaniemi
Well, if you’re on a budget, all is not lost in Rovaniemi! Fortunately, there are several youth hostels. These hostels offer dormitory beds, of course, but also single or double rooms that aren’t necessarily too expensive, so they can be an interesting option, I think. Especially as the quality and feedback are pretty good.
📍 Rovaniemi · hostel right in the city centre
Bright Scandinavian-style hostel in the very centre, with private rooms and dorms. « Clean, quiet, well-equipped » with a friendly shared kitchen.
- Private rooms and dorms, shared kitchen
- Secure bike parking, free Wi-Fi
- Location rated 9.5/10 (2,586 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €33 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · guesthouse 500 m from Arktikum
Quiet, well-equipped guesthouse 500 m from Arktikum, with a garden and ski storage. « Great location, kind and available host. »
- Garden, shared lounge and ski storage
- Free private parking, easy check-in
- Location rated 9.3/10 (1,648 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €40 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · 200 m from the bus station
Spotless mini-hostel a 10-minute walk from everything, run by the lovely Alisa. « Impeccable cleanliness, well-equipped kitchen, very kind staff. »
- Well-equipped shared kitchen and bathrooms
- 200 m from the bus station
- Location rated 9.6/10, attentive host
Free cancellation
From €40 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · capsule hotel 1.9 km from Santa Claus Village
Modern, secure capsule hotel set in nature, near Santa Claus Village. « Very clean, ideal for seeing the northern lights. »
- Comfortable, secure capsules
- Garden, shared lounge, well-equipped kitchen
- Free parking, friendly welcome (1,301 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €40 / night
Staying in a glass igloo around Rovaniemi
To fall asleep under the northern lights and wake up in the middle of nature! That’s the cool thing about Finnish Lapland, it’s flat, open views and super mild weather that allows this kind of accommodation. And that’s cool! I’m a bit jealous because in Norway we only have a few.
There are over thirty glass igloos in Finnish Lapland, including 6/7 just outside Rovaniemi. And there’s no worry about light pollution, because as soon as you leave the city, you’re in the middle of nature and absolute calm!
Well, I admit that the only worry is the price, especially in high season (like Christmas, February). But in early autumn prices are much more reasonable, and there are auroras too!
📍 Rovaniemi · 5★ resort by a frozen lake (~40 km)
5-star resort in a natural setting with spa, outdoor pool and frozen-lake-view rooms. « Pleasant staff and excellent food », a spa that's never crowded.
- Spa, outdoor pool and restaurant
- Rooms with frozen-lake views
- 5★ hotel, free parking (335 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €170 / night
📍 Sinettä · on the Arctic Circle (30 min from Rovaniemi)
Glass igloos with 360° panoramic roofs and a snow hotel on the Arctic Circle. « A unique once-in-a-lifetime experience », auroras and frozen lake.
- Glass igloos with heated floor, 360° glass roof
- Ice SnowHotel, lovely staff
- Northern lights and the vast frozen lake
Free cancellation
From €500 / night
📍 Apukka · 15 min from Rovaniemi
Adventure resort 15 min from Rovaniemi, multiple saunas and winter activities (snowmobiling, huskies, auroras). « Everything! Amazing activities, auroras from the room. »
- Varied saunas (ice, igloo, mobile)
- Activities: snowmobiles, huskies, aurora safaris
- Lovely cabins, exceptional breakfast (822 reviews)
Free cancellation
From €380 / night
📍 Rovaniemi · 5★ resort in the snowy forest (10 km)
Refined 5-star resort in the snowy forest, with reindeer and breakfast delivered to your door. « An exceptional, luxurious place; sleeping in the forest is magical. »
- High-end glass igloos, spa and bar
- Breakfast delivered to your cabin, reindeer
- Intimate setting away from the bustle (5★)
Free cancellation
From €600 / night
To make it easier to organize your trip (and mine too!), I’ve created a map of Finnish Lapland with all the information you need (landscapes, places to see, activities…), including accommodation around Rovaniemi. Don’t hesitate to click on it to see the map in detail!
In conclusion
That’s it! You know almost everything! The hotel offer in Rovaniemi is really excellent. Because it’s an important city, but above all because the Finnish way of thinking encourages you to be close to nature. So you can easily find magnificent chalets or resorts lost in the forest, on the edge of a frozen lake – in short, experience Lapland as it should be!
But if you ever want to stay in the heart of Rovaniemi, you’ll also find a wide choice that I’d describe as efficient. It’s never bling bling, it’s always good. Well insulated, good bedding, good breakfasts. And that’s what I love about the Nordic countries!
Don’t forget that if you have a question or can’t find your accommodation, you can send me a message
If you’d like to know more about Finnish Lapland, then I recommend the following articles:
- Preparing your trip to Finnish Lapland – all the info you need to help you plan your stay in paradise
- Which is the right town to go to – there are lots of great resorts in Lapland, which one is right for you?
- What to do in Finnish Lapland – it’s not all sled dogs and auroras! Discover all the best things to do in the region!
- Sleeping under the Northern Lights in Lapland – book a glass igloo and fall asleep in the middle of nature, under a magnificent sky!
- Where to go dog-sledding in Rovaniemi – there are lots of kennels here, find out which ones are good and which ones to avoid!
- Dog sledding in Finnish Lapland – plenty of practical advice before you set off with your pooches!
- Where to see the Northern Lights in Lapland – how to find the right place, when to see them, I tell you everything!
- How to go from Rovaniemi Airport to city center – there are buses and ride-sharing companies, i tell you everything!
- An itinerary in Rovaniemi during Winter – 7 days to discover Lapland and enjoy as much as you can!
