Last Updated on June 27, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
For many families, a trip to Lapland over the Christmas break is a major tick on their bucket list, a dream destination to visit while the children are still young. The prospect of meeting Santa, his elves and reindeer in the natural habitat is beyond magical and the following hotels are certainly some of the best places to stay for that. Meeting the huskies, sleigh riding in the snow and the chance to witness the northern lights all add to this wondrous dream.
We have discovered the best Lapland resort and hotels for families which are affordable. These hotels offer a variety of snow-themed, family-friendly activities and some offer the opportunity to meet Santa while others offer the chance to book this as an additional activity. There are a number of airports in the UK that offer direct flights. Please note that the itineraries below may not be exact to your stay. Some include Santa and additional activities and some don’t. Please follow the links for further information and availability of the following family hotels. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.
#1 TOP PICK
- Santa-Claus offering
- Cosy interior with log fire
- SnowClub for kids
Hotel K5 Levi – Levi, LAPLAND
Address: Kätkänrannantie 2, 99130 Levi, Finland
Hotel Information – Hotel K5 Levi enjoys a splendid location in one of Finland’s top places for skiing and snowboarding, as well as a great collection of bars and restaurants. In fact, the ski lifts are literally only five minutes from the hotel, meaning you are at the heart of the ski action! A stay at this hotel will allow you to take part in snowmobile safaris, reindeer rides, visits to Father Christmas – and a chance to see the Northern Lights.
Reindeer graze in pens right outside your room, and you are welcomed by stunning surrounding nature with snowy views each time you look out your window. Meals can be enjoyed in the authentic sámi gammi on-site restaurant – a sunken turf-topped hut. The food is prepared here over an open fire. Evening drinks and sharing stories of your action-packed days can be spent in the lobby lounge which is a crystal dome, with floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow for the viewing of the spectacular night sky.
A typical itinerary for a stay at Hotel K5 Levi would be like this:
- Arrive and get kitted out with snow clothes before Santa’s elves take you off to your hotel
- Short husky-sledge ride taster session or a snowmobile sleigh ride
- Free time in the snow or taster sessions
- Meet Santa on a 4-night trip
Why We Love the Hotel K5 Levi
➥ Close to Ski Slopes
➥ Reindeer pen outside
Hotel Santa Claus – Rovaniemi, LAPLAND
Address: Korkalonkatu 29, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
Hotel Information – Hotel Santa Claus is situated right at the heart of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. This city is small, and compact but offers everything you could want or need including shopping malls, restaurants and much more. The magical destination of Santa Claus Village is less than a five-minute drive away too.
The rooms here are contemporary in style with accents of a festive cherry red. If you want to really spoil yourselves this is the perfect place you have the option to upgrade to a deluxe room or junior suite and you’ll get your own private sauna, too. Superior and deluxe twin rooms sleep up to four guests. The eatery at Hotel Santa Claus is Restaurant Gaissa. Here they serve a Santa-themed breakfast spread, which includes some traditional dishes and local specialities.
A typical itinerary for a stay at Hotel Santa Claus would be like this:
- Arrive and get kitted out with snow clothes before Santa’s elves take you off to your hotel
- Elf school and meet Santa
- Free time and festive finale
- On your way home stop at Santa Claus Village, shop for souvenirs and pay a visit to Santa’s main post office
Why We Love the Hotel Santa Claus
➥ Central Location
➥ Sauna
Aurinkorinne Apartments – Ruka, LAPLAND
Address: Hiihtokouluntie 16 – 18, 93830 Kuusamo, Finland
Hotel Information – At the Aurinkorinne Apartments you can enjoy the best of both worlds; a peaceful location on the outskirts of town but only a short way from all the action in the lively town of Ruka. You’ll find a ski lift just moments from your door, a gondola ride and night sledging after dark, which you can reach on foot in a few minutes too.
The accommodation comprises two-bedroom apartments and studios that come complete with a kitchenette with an oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and kettle. There’s also a living area with a fireplace, TV, bathroom with shower, drying cabinet for clothes, free Wi-Fi, a sauna and a balcony showcasing the magnificent views. Breakfast and dinner are conveniently served at restaurants in Ruka.
A typical itinerary as a guest at Aurinkorinne Apartments;
- Arrive in Kuusamo, pick up your thermal clothing
- Taster day including a husky sleigh ride and a snowmobile trail
- Meet Santa at the Secret Cottage
- Some free time and then Fly Home
Why We Love the Aurinkorinne Apartments
➥ Close to Ruka
➥ Private Sauna
Luosto Hotel – Luosto, LAPLAND
Address: Luppokeino 3, Luosto 99555 Finland
Hotel Information – The Luosto Hotel is a stunning snow-dusted log cabin-style accommodation in the breathtaking location of Luosto. The cosy one-bedroom family rooms have a twin bedroom, plus 3 extra single beds. Suites and log cabins come complete with a sauna, kitchenette and lounge area. You have the choice of a balcony, which offers superb views across the snowy surroundings and ski slopes beyond.
The hotel features a Snow Club, where children can get involved with a great variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment and activities. For example, snow dog-building and tobogganing, snow golf and marshmallow toasting are all on the menu. There’s lots of entertainment, too, like pantomimes and festive-themed parties. For relaxation, guests can drop by the Amethyst Spa, where you’ll find a heated pool.
A typical itinerary at the Luosto Hotel would be;
- Arrive in Rovaniemi for your Arctic adventure and pick up your thermal clothing
- Meet Santa and his elves and go on a snowmobile adventure
- Festival Finale
- Free time and then Fly Home
Why We Love the Lousto Hotel
➥ SnowClub for kids
➥ Next to Luosto Ski Resort
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle – Rovaniemi, LAPLAND
Address: Joulumaankuja 8, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
Hotel Information – Located at the magical Santa Claus Village the heart of Finnish Lapland. Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle is a hotel with a modern twist just ten minutes from the city centre of Rovaniemi. The super cool glass igloos accommodation has glass roofs meaning you can observe the beauty of the night sky from the comfort of your bed. You may even be lucky enough to see the northern lights from your large windows.
The rooms each come with free Wi-Fi, a mini-fridge, a flat-screen TV, plus tea or coffee-making facilities. There are three restaurants to choose from here. The first specialises in traditional Lappish dishes, then there is a live music venue serving gourmet meals and there is also a super cool ice bar that features an international-style restaurant.
A typical itinerary as a guest at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle is as follows;
- Arrive in Rovaniemi, pick up your thermal clothing
- Day of free time
- Elf School and meet Santa plus the Festive Finale
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
➥ Glass-roofed ceilings
➥ Spectacular Views
Lapland Hotel Saaga – Yllas, LAPLAND
Address: Iso-Ylläksentie 42, 95980 Ylläsjärvi, Finland
Hotel Information – The Lapland Hotel Saaga offers the most magnificent surroundings including snowy ski slopes, frozen lakes and white-dusted forests. Next door is a super convenient ski lift which allows immediate access to snowy hikes, snowboarding, skiing and tobogganing trails. The accommodation features charming log fires and romantic wood-panelled rooms with free wifi.
Twin rooms have one extra bed if there are more than two of you staying. One-bedroom apartments have a twin bedroom and one double sofa bed in the lounge, meanwhile, two-bedroom apartments have two twin bedrooms and two sofa beds in the lounge. They both also feature a kitchenette and sauna, too. The hotel features an indoor pool and there is also a children’s pool too. Meals at the hotel are a buffet breakfast and dinner.
A typical itinerary as a guest at Lapland Hotel Saaga would be;
- Arrive in Kittila, time at your leisure once you are kitted out with your thermals
- Visit the Snow Village, see Santa and enjoy a husky sleigh ride
- Free time and the Festival Finale
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Lapland Hotel Saaga
➥ Spectacular mountain scenery
➥ Indoor Pool
Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins – Ronaniemi, LAPLAND
Address: Secluded woodland setting 30km outside of Rovaniemi, Finland
Hotel Information – The Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins enjoy a magical location beside a frozen lake surrounded by rows of snow-dusted pine forests. You can stay in a cute and cosy hotel room, or upgrade to a log cabin, which comes with a fireplace.
To really treat yourself you have the option to book a deluxe cabin, which features a trendy private Jacuzzi. The Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins feature a Snow Club, where children can get involved with all sorts of indoor and outdoor entertainment and activities. There is snow dog-building and tobogganing, snow golf and marshmallow toasting. There’s lots of entertainment, too, like pantomimes and festive-themed parties.
A typical itinerary as a guest at Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins would be;
- Arrive in Rovaniemi, let the elves kit you out in snow gear and enjoy your free time
- Attend Elf School and meet Santa plus snowmobile, husky ride and tobogganing
- Free time (full day if you are on a 4-night stay)
- Festive Finale
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Winter Wonderland Hotel and Log Cabins
➥ SnowClub for kids
➥ Traditional log cabins
Snowy Wilderness Lodge – Lapland Hotel Pallas, Pallas, LAPLAND
Address: Pallastunturintie 560, 99330 Pallastunturi, Finland
Hotel Information – Snowy Wilderness Lodge truly is, as the name suggests, a stunning winter wilderness surrounded by snow-dusted pine forests and frozen lakes of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. All rooms here are twin rooms and come complete with a TV, a shower, and a hairdryer. Some rooms can accommodate up to four guests.
The Snowy Wilderness Lodge features a Snow Club, where children can get involved with entertainment and activities. For example, snow dog-building and tobogganing, snow golf and marshmallow toasting. There’s lots of entertainment, too, like pantomimes and festive-themed parties. A charming wood-beamed buffet restaurant serves big international and local dishes, including warming soups and fragrant fresh bread.
Your itinerary would be something like the following;
- Arrive in Kittila, Santa’s elves will help you collect your thermal clothing
- Enjoy free time
- Try husky sledging or snowmobile trekking
- Festive Finale including meeting Santa
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Snowy Wilderness Lodge
➥ Santa-Claus offering
➥ SnowClub for kids
Christmas Cottages – Rovaniemi, LAPLAND
Address: 15 minutes from ROVANIEMI AIRPORT (by Coach), Finland
Hotel Information – The Christmas Cottages are as magical as something from a fairytale. Charming, cosy and comfortable these adorable cottages are well-equipped and the ideal destination to relax and unwind after a chilly day on the slopes or exploring your snowy surroundings.
A cottage features a kitchenette, a separate bathroom with a shower, and a sauna. A family or party of four guests will have one twin bedroom, plus two child beds in the lounge. Meanwhile, some cottages sleep up to six with sleeping arrangements comprising two twin bedrooms and a bunk bed. The onsite eatery is Restaurant Thulia. It is heated by log fires and the menu includes plenty of warming dishes.
Your itinerary would be something like the following;
- Arrive in Rovaniemi, pick up your snow clothes with Santa’s elves
- Free time for additional activities
- Meet Santa and attend Elf School
- Festive Finale
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Christmas Cottages
➥ Close to the slopes
➥ Private Sauna
Crazy Reindeer Hotel – Hullo Poro – Levi, LAPLAND
Address: Rakkavaarantie 3, 99130 Sirkka, Finland
Hotel Information – The Crazy Reindeer Hotel, located within the Crazy Reindeer Resort is around a ten-minute walk from the lively centre of Levi. Here you will find a choice of bedrooms with some suites sleeping up to eight guests. The Crazy Reindeer Hotel comes with a Snow Club, where children can get involved with all sorts of indoor and outdoor entertainment and activities. For example, there is snow dog-building and tobogganing, snow golf and marshmallow toasting.
There’s lots of entertainment, too, like pantomimes and festive-themed parties. There is a superb choice of restaurants at the resort including one serving Asian fusion and another that serves local specialities.
As guests of the Crazy Reindeer Hotel, a typical itinerary would look like this;
- Arrive in Kittila, Santa’s elves will kit you out with thermal clothing
- Try out Husky sledging, Christmas ornament making and a snowmobile adventure
- Festive Finale with lots of fun and a visit to meet Santa
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Crazy Reindeer Hotel
➥ SnowClub for kids
➥ 10 minutes from Levi centre
Santa’s Hotel Tunturi – Saariselka, LAPLAND
Address: Lutontie 16, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
Hotel Information – Located right in the heart of the snowy wilderness known as Saariselka, Santa’s Hotel Tunturi is in the prime position to enjoy all the very best outdoor activities including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing which are right on your doorstep. Plus, there’s a huge toboggan run a short walk from the grounds which is a great way to keep the kids entertained in the snow.
The rooms are contemporary. Twin rooms can accommodate four people and include one sofa bed in the bedroom. If you opt for a superior twin room then you’ll also get a balcony and sauna, too. Deluxe twin rooms also have a sauna, a minibar, slippers, tea or coffee-making facilities, plus a double sofa bed in the bedroom. On the complex, you’ll find an à la carte restaurant as well as a classy place that has a world-class menu of gourmet Lappish cuisine.
As guests of the Santa’s Hotel Tunturia typical itinerary would look like this;
- Arrive in Saariselka and enjoy some free time
- Reindeer sleigh rides or husky sledging, and writing letters to Santa
- Visit Santa’s Creek
- Fly Home
Why We Love Santa’s Hotel Tunturi
➥ Ski Routes Nearby
➥ Fine Dining Restaurant
Holiday Club Saariselka – Saariselka
Address: Saariseläntie 7, 99830 Inari, Finland
Hotel Information – The Holiday Club Saariselka enjoys a fabulous location in the heart of Saariselka, with shops, restaurants and a huge, adrenaline-fuelled toboggan run nearby. Its convenient setting makes it great for families as all the conveniences you need are on your doorstep. Plus, the hotel has an impressive indoor swimming pool. This snowy resort is made up of charming log cabins surrounded by rich green pines.
The hotel interiors are cosy and traditional, and showcase wooden beams and open romantic open fireplaces. There is also the added bonus of free parking at this 4-star hotel. An Annexe two-bedroom apartment is ideal for families. These rooms feature two twin bedrooms, one sofa bed in the lounge, a kitchen, plus a balcony and sauna. Meanwhile, twin rooms sleep up to three guests, and feature one extra single bed located in the bedroom.
A typical itinerary for guests staying at the Holiday Club Saariselka would be as follows;
- Arrive in Saariselka and enjoy some free time
- Enjoy reindeer or husky sleigh rides or a snowmobile adventure
- Visit Santa’s Creek
- Fly Home
Why We Love the Holiday Club Saariselka
➥ Big Pool
➥ Great for Families
➥ Central Location
For further reading and holiday inspiration please check out the following posts:
Santa’s Star Arctic Hotel in Saariselka | Review Santa’s Lapland
Santa’s Aurora 3 Day Break | Review Full Schedule Santa’s Lapland
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