Santa Claus Village, located 8 kilometers north of Rovaniemi in the Lapland region of Finland, is recognized by the United Nations as the hometown of Santa Claus.
Santa Claus Village is a complex of wooden buildings, including: the main gate's spire, a restaurant, flower beds, Santa Claus's office, residences, a post office, gift shops, a reindeer park, and more. Here, certified Santas answer all sorts of bizarre questions from children around the world; the Santa Claus post office is filled with fairy-tale-themed stamps, greeting cards, and gifts, and any mail sent from here will bear Santa's exclusive postmark; this place is traversed by the Arctic Circle, where one can find the white marker of the circle and receive a certificate for crossing it; there are adorable reindeer that will lead you through the snowy landscape; and here, you may even encounter the raw power of nature—the aurora borealis.
Every year, tourists from all over the world come here, whether to fulfill childhood dreams or to make a small wish, as this place holds the secret wishes of both adults and children worldwide.
Arctic Light Hotel
The hotel combines Nordic elements, offering a warm and comfortable atmosphere, as cozy as home! Moreover, it has an excellent location, just 8 kilometers from Rovaniemi Airport and Santa Claus Village, and is within walking distance to the Arctic Museum Science Center.
The hotel is equipped with a sauna and a bar, and some rooms have kitchenettes. The staff is friendly and enthusiastic, assisting guests in planning and customizing their itineraries based on their needs. It is worth mentioning that the hotel breakfast is prepared with ingredients by American TV chef Sara La Fountain from Finland, which is beloved by the majority of guests.
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Situated within SantaPark in Rovaniemi, the hotel is 2 kilometers from Santa Claus Village, allowing guests to fully enjoy the surrounding forest scenery.
The hotel features Nordic-style designs, very Finnish! All rooms have underfloor heating, adding a cozy feel with blankets, and large floor-to-ceiling windows vividly showcase the simplicity and nature of the Nordic aesthetic. In winter, the outside is covered in white snow, while inside it is warm and cozy, with some rooms offering lofts, making it ideal for family trips.
The hotel has a restaurant and a bar, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Here, guests can enjoy skiing, cycling, and hiking, and if lucky, catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis.
Arctic Snow Hotel
The hotel is characterized by offering rooms built from ice and snow. Although it is located 26 kilometers away from Rovaniemi, it is well worth trying and is considered a very unique hotel near Santa Claus Village.
All rooms are equipped with electric lights, and public restrooms must be used. Regardless of external temperature, the room temperature is around 0 to -5°C, and there is a fireplace in the main building for guests' warmth. Upon arrival, guests will receive an overnight kit that includes a quality sleeping bag.
Another feature of the hotel is the aurora alarm inside, which alerts guests when the aurora borealis appears, ensuring that they do not miss any sighting. Additionally, as the hotel is next to a wide lake, the view for aurora observation is exceptional!