Honest Hotel Review: Arctic Fox Igloos Ranua Finland (2024)

Staying at the Arctic Fox Igloos in Ranua, Finland was an unforgettable experience! Nestled in the Lapland wilderness, the igloos offered us a chance to get away from it all, to reconnect with nature and each other.

We stayed for two nights in January and it was a magical experience – from the snow-covered landscape that blanketed the area to the mesmerizing Northern Lights that shone in the night sky.

We were also impressed by how warm and comfortable the igloo accommodations were.

The interior design of each Igloo embraced its arctic surroundings and provided us warmth despite being surrounded by snow outside.

The friendly staff made sure we had everything we needed during our stay.

If you’re looking for an immersive escape to connect with nature while enjoying creature comforts, staying at the Arctic Fox Igloos is worth considering.

With its cozy accommodations and stunning natural beauty, this unique destination offers travelers an unforgettable holiday experience they’ll cherish forever.

What is the Arctic Fox Igloos in Ranua Finland?

The Arctic Fox Igloos in Ranua Finland offers travellers a unique experience of staying in the comfort of their glass igloos while witnessing the rare beauty of the Northern Lights.

Located on the shores of the frozen Lake Ranuanjärvi, each igloo is fully equipped with a kitchen and sauna, so you can enjoy a cozy night-in or cook up your own version of local Finnish dishes, all while having unrivaled views of the Northern Lights.

Airport transfers are available, as are plenty of tours that can be organised for you – from ice swimming in an outdoor pool to snowmobile safaris and dog sledding there’s something for everyone!

So if you’re looking for an unforgettable winter break in Finland, look no further than Arctic Fox Igloos.

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Arctic Fox Igloos Features

Glass Igloo

The crystal clear glass igloo offers the ultimate night sky experience.

With large glass walls, you get breathtaking views of the lake and its surrounding nature during the day, and you can marvel at the stars when night draws near.

The glass is heated so that snow won’t settle on it, allowing you to enjoy these magnificent views without interruption.

There’s also a curtain for privacy at the bottom two-thirds of the igloo so you can have complete privacy.

The top third is completely open so you can gaze at the night sky from the warmth of your bed…if you’re lucky, you can watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky above you.

Sauna

The private sauna in your igloo is a definite highlight! It is the perfect way to warm up at the end of the day. Experience a traditional Finnish sauna by running out your front door and rolling in the snow after spending some time in your own personal sauna.

The private sauna is large enough for two people, so you can easily enjoy it with a loved one or friend.

Kitchenette

The kitchenette, equipped with all the amenities such as a kettle, microwave oven, refrigerator, and a table and chair for two, provides everything needed to make simple meals or snacks during your stay.

This allows you to not only save money by avoiding eating out but also gives you an opportunity to enjoy some “home-cooked” meals while experiencing life in the Arctic.

Beautiful Views of the Lake

The views of the frozen lake from the Arctic Fox Igloos are truly a sight to behold. From watching the Huskies dash across the lake to the sun rising and setting, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the lake.

One of our favourite things to do when we weren’t out exploring was sit on the heated igloo floor and gaze out to Lake Ranuanjärvi.

The Arctic Fox Igloos are a ten minute drive from the Ranua Wildlife Zoo.

The Zoo is a must for all visitors to Ranua. You will have a chance to see some animals that are unique to the Arctic including the Arctic Fox.

Legend has it that Northern Lights are caused by the Arctic Fox’s tail swishing across the night sky.

The Ranua Wildlife Zoo is at the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village where all of the activities organised through the Igloos will depart.

Remote Wilderness

Ranua is located one hour south of Rovanemi and is surrounded by the Arctic Forest. This gives you a feeling of complete remoteness.

You can see nothing but snow and trees for miles. This remote location gives you are feeling of quite and calm.

If you choose the hotel transfer you will be provided with the opportunity to stock up at a supermarket on the way or you can dine at the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village or at the Wild Arctic Restaurant and Bar on site.

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Pros of the Arctic Fox Igloos Ranua Finland

Regarding Arctic Fox Igloos, the pros for travellers looking to book a glass igloo in Finland are numerous.

• You’ll be able to enjoy the unrivaled views of the Finnish wilderness from your private glass igloo, with a chance to see the Northern Lights
• Guests have access to a fully equipped kitchenette to cook meals in their own space.
• Each igloo is completely heated and soundproofed – so you won’t have to worry about being cold or disturbed by outside noise during your stay
• Guests will also be able to take part in exciting activities such as ice fishing, snowmobiling, and husky sledding

With all these amazing experiences and amenities at your fingertips, it’s easy to see why Arctic Fox Igloos is the perfect choice for travelers looking for an unforgettable winter getaway

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Cons of Arctic Fox Igloos

Arctic Fox Igloos in Lapland, Finland can be a great option for travelers seeking a unique experience. However, there are a few cons to consider before booking:

– Not all igloo rooms have unobstructed views of the lake, but you can email ahead to request a front row igloo with views of the lake.
– It is hard to reach from Rovaniemi without a car, but the hotel can organise transfers for guests who don’t have access to their own car.
– You need to go off-site for activities such as fishing and snowshoeing, however, this may be seen as an advantage – it allows you to explore more of the area where you’re staying!

But overall, these cons are minor compared to the unique experience offered by an Arctic Fox igloo stay – waking up in your own private glass igloo surrounded by nature and with unbeatable night sky views.

My Experience at Arctic Fox Igloos in Ranua, Finland

My experience at the Arctic Fox Igloos was unforgettable. After spending four months backpacking around Europe, we weren’t sure if this place would live up to the cost, but it exceeded all our expectations. From the moment we stepped inside our igloo, we were mesmerised by the stunning view of snow-capped trees and star-lit skies. We loved lying in the warmth and comfort of our glass igloo as we watched the night sky twinkle above us.

The range of activities on offer was also incredible. From dog sledding to snowshoeing, or simply relaxing in the sauna and enjoying a glass of cloudberry wine – what more could you want? And let’s not forget about the food!

The delicious meals served up each day were traditional Finnish cuisine. Not to mention, the staff were incredibly helpful and always made sure we had everything we needed for an enjoyable stay.

One of our favourite memories at Arctic Fox Igloos was sitting on the floor of our igloo eating snacks and staring out at the view, just taking it all in.

We stayed here at the end of an amazing four month journey, but it was definitely worth saving this experience until last!

Who is the Arctic Fox Igloos for?

Arctic Fox Igloos can be highly beneficial for adventurous or luxury travelers looking to truly escape into nature and reconnect with the environment.

These adventurers are often in their late twenties or thirties and enjoy exploring our planet’s beautiful landscapes.

They may not have loads of money, but they value experiences over possessions and prioritize investing in life-enriching activities like travelling.

This kind of traveler will likely be drawn to Arctic Fox Igloos for its promise of ruggedness and exploration without sacrificing comfort.

Where are the Arctic Fox Igloos located?

Arctic Fox Igloos are located in Ranua, Finnish Lapland on Lake Ranuanjärvi.

Ranua is 85km south of Rovaniemi, the business capital of Finnish Lapland.

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Arctic Fox Igloos Alternatives

Arctic Fox Igloos is not a cheap experience, although worth it, in my opinion, it will cost more than a regular hotel.

If you would like to stay in Ranua for more than one night you might consider staying in the Glass Igloo for one night and then moving to the Gulo Gulo Holiday Village and stay in one of their apartments for the remainder of your trip.

Getting to the Arctic Fox Igloos

The Arctic Fox Igloos is located in 85km south of the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi.

Despite being a small northern city, Rovaniemi is very easily accessed. If you are flying from abroad you can fly to Helsinki and connect to Lapland from Helsinki.

By Plane

Flights between Helsinki and Lapland go daily, flights between London and Lapland depart on Wednesdays and Sunday’s, and flights between Istanbul and Lapland depart Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays.

By Train

The train between Helsinki and Lapland depart several times a day and takes about 11 hours.

I suggest taking the overnight train, you board the train just before bedtime and wake up in a winter wonderland. That is of course, if you are travelling in winter!!

Little fun fact, the train from Helsinki to Lapland is called the Santa Claus Express.

By Bus

Matkahuolto and Onnibus are the two main bus services in Finland. They are a great option for reaching Lapland from Helsinki but also for travelling around Lapland from town to town.

From Rovaniemi you can take the bus towards towards Posion matkahuolto, Ingan tupa. The bus takes about 1 and a half hours.

By Car

Rovanemi is easily accessed by car. If you don’t have your own car you can hire a car.

When driving in Lapland be aware of changing weather conditions, especially in winter and the long distances you need to drive.

The drive from Helsinki to the Arctic Fox Igloos is about 9 and a half hours. You can find directions here.

Parking is available at the hotel.

To the Hotel

If you are taking the train, bus or flying to Rovanemi the hotel will organise transfers for you. The transfer is 48€ per person each way.

However, we arrived in Rovanemi on the night train and it was well worth the price to organise a hotel transfer.

As soon as our train arrived at 7:00 am our transfer was waiting for us. It saved trying to work out the public transport and getting lost along the way.

Tips for staying at the Arctic Fox Igloos

• As soon as you book at the Arctic Fox Igloos, email request a front-row igloo.
• If a double bed is important to you, you might also want to request one of these in advance
• Make sure you stock up on snacks and if you plan cooking, stop by a supermarket on the way or ask your transfer driver to take you to the supermarket.
• If you would like some alcohol during your stay it will be cheaper to buy it at the supermarket than to keep heading to the bar.
• You can also request a quick supermarket stop if you forget anything during your transfers from the Gulo Gulo Village or the Rovaniemi airport
• Pack plenty of layers, you will be very warm in the igloo but it gets very cold during activities so make sure you have lots of warm layers.

Be prepared to find it hard to sleep! Both nights we were at the igloos I found it so hard to sleep.

Not because the bed was uncomfortable or too bright outside, but because I kept waking to check if the Northern Lights were lighting up the sky.

When you check in you can ask the staff to give you a wake-up call if the lights appear.

If you are lucky enough and the Northern Lights do dance across the sky during your stay, you will be able to see them from the comfort of your bed.

I suggest you head outside (no one will care if you are in your sleepwear) and see if you can snap a picture of the lights above your igloo.

During our stay, we were lucky to see the Northern Lights but weren’t at our igloo when the lights came out, we were on our Northern Lights Safari.

FAQs: Glass Igloos in Finland