Apukka Resort
Apukka Resort, Rovaniemi: which glass cabin to book, and who it suits
A row of cabins with glass roofs on the edge of a frozen lake, far enough from Rovaniemi for the sky to go properly dark. Apukka is one of the best-known glass-roof resorts in Lapland. Here is what each room type gives you, which one to book and who the resort suits.
Picolo Editorial
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In short: Apukka Resort
Where: by a frozen lake about 15 minutes from Rovaniemi town centre, away from the town lights.
Best for: couples and families on a northern lights trip who want a glass roof and activities on site.
Guest rating: 9.2 out of 10 across more than 350 reviews on Hotels.com.
Included: breakfast buffet. There is a sauna, several restaurants and an airport shuttle for a fee.
Our room choice: an Aurora Cabin King for couples, an Aurora Cabin Family for families of up to six. Check availability and prices at Apukka Resort
Which room to book
Aurora Cabin, Queen and King (about 24-29 m², up to 4 people): the classic glass-roofed cabin with a panoramic view of the sky. The King has the larger bed and suits couples.
Aurora Cabin Family (about 41 m², up to 6): the same glass roof with space for a family or a small group.
Komsio Glass Igloo Suite (about 31 m², up to 4): two floors, with the bathroom downstairs and the bedroom under the glass roof upstairs. It has a 360-degree view of the sky.
Kammi Glass Igloo Suite (about 33 m², up to 4): also on two floors with a 360-degree view, plus a fully equipped kitchenette, which helps on a longer stay.
Apukka Lakeview Suite (about 42 m², up to 6): looks out over the lake rather than up at the sky. Choose it if space matters more than a glass roof.
Villa Apukka (230 m², up to 14): a historic stone house for large families or groups.
Our advice: if the northern lights are the reason for your trip, book one of the glass-roofed cabins or suites, not the Lakeview Suite. In the two-storey suites you sleep directly under the glass.
The northern lights at Apukka
Apukka lies outside town, so the sky is darker than in central Rovaniemi, and from a glass roof you can watch for the aurora from bed. The season runs from about September to March. Clear skies matter more than anything, so book at least three nights. If clouds roll in, the resort's own tours and snowmobile safaris can take you further from the lights.
Eating: Apukka has several restaurants on site, including Restaurant Aitta, Steakhouse by Aitta, Restaurant Olkka, Restaurant Kota and Pizzeria Pirtti, plus Lobby Bar Riihi.
Getting there from the UK
Fly direct to Rovaniemi: Finavia lists flights in winter 2026/27 from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Luton, Southend and Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle. The flight takes about three and a half hours. From the airport, Apukka is a short transfer, and the resort runs an airport shuttle for a fee.
Alternatives near Apukka
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Glass-fronted suites on the hillside above Santa Claus Village. Choose it if you want Santa a few minutes away. Rated 9.4 out of 10.
Check availability and prices at Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
About 30 minutes from town, with an ice hotel and glass igloos on one site. Choose it to combine a night on ice with a glass roof. Rated 9.0 out of 10.
Check availability and prices at Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
Upstairs in a two-storey glass igloo suite, where you sleep under the glass
The forest outside Rovaniemi in winter
Our recommendation
Apukka Resort: a glass roof by a frozen lake
Apukka's glass-roofed cabins sit by a frozen lake about 15 minutes from Rovaniemi, far enough from the town lights to give you a dark sky above the bed. Book a glass-roofed cabin or suite for at least three nights to give the northern lights several chances.
What Picolo would choose
What Picolo would choose: an Aurora Cabin King for couples, an Aurora Cabin Family for families, and a Kammi Glass Igloo Suite for a longer stay with a kitchenette.
Why: the glass roof is the reason to choose Apukka, and the cabins give you a dark sky outside town with restaurants and activities on site.
The trade-off: you are about 15 minutes from Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village, so you rely on transfers or a hire car. If Santa is the main reason for your trip, Santa Claus Holiday Village or Arctic TreeHouse are closer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apukka Resort good?
Guests rate Apukka Resort 9.2 out of 10 across more than 350 reviews on Hotels.com. It suits couples and families who want a glass roof for the northern lights, a dark sky outside town and activities and restaurants on site. It suits less well if you want to walk to Santa Claus Village or into Rovaniemi.
How far is Apukka Resort from Rovaniemi?
Apukka Resort is about 15 minutes from Rovaniemi town centre, by a frozen lake outside town. Rovaniemi Airport is a short transfer away, and the resort runs an airport shuttle for a fee. Santa Claus Village, on the Arctic Circle north of town, is also within a short drive.
Can you see the northern lights from Apukka Resort?
Yes, when the sky is clear and the aurora is active. Apukka is outside town, so the sky is darker than in the centre, and the glass-roofed cabins and suites let you watch from bed. The season runs from about September to March. Book at least three nights, as clouds are the biggest risk.
Which room should you book at Apukka Resort?
For the northern lights, book a glass-roofed room: an Aurora Cabin, or a Komsio or Kammi Glass Igloo Suite, where you sleep directly under the glass upstairs. The Lakeview Suites look out over the lake rather than up at the sky. Families of up to six should choose the Aurora Cabin Family.
When should you book Apukka Resort?
As early as you can, especially for December and the weeks around Christmas, when the glass cabins sell out first. January to March is quieter and darker, with more snow, and often better for the northern lights. Choose a rate with free cancellation if your dates may change.
Sources
Room types, sizes and facilities come from Hotels.com and Expedia, and the guest rating from Hotels.com. Room sizes also come from Apukka Resort. Direct flights from the UK come from Finavia and Time Out. The aurora forecast for Finnish Lapland is published by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The room comparison, the transfer times and our choice of room are Picolo's own. Last checked: 2 November 2026.
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Picolo Editorial