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Right on the Arctic Circle
Where winter becomes a way of life
Far to the north, Finnish Lapland promises uncompromising winters, where snow reigns supreme and the cold is ever-present. Days are spent embracing the great outdoors before retreating to the warmth of Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, where cocoon-like suites combine Scandinavian comfort with an intimate connection to nature.
As snowfall becomes increasingly unpredictable in the Alps, more travellers are looking north. Winter after winter, Finnish Lapland continues to grow in popularity, offering the reassuring certainty of pristine white landscapes and forests filled with snow-laden trees. Here, the satisfying crunch of boots sinking into deep powder remains as familiar as ever.
A Fairytale Landscape
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel stands almost exactly on the Arctic Circle, just outside Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. Rebuilt from the ground up in the 1950s, the city was masterplanned by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, whose layout famously resembles the head of a reindeer, antlers included.
Today, Rovaniemi is known around the world as the official hometown of Santa Claus. Visitors can meet him throughout the year at the famous Santa Claus Village, built directly on the Arctic Circle, where thousands of letters arrive daily—and receive a reply. Nearby, SantaPark continues the magic with elf workshops, cinnamon-bun baking classes and reindeer sleigh rides through snow-covered forests.
A new generation of Nordic hotels has emerged to showcase this remarkable landscape by bringing guests ever closer to nature. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel embodies that philosophy perfectly. Perched on stilts along a wooded hillside, its chalet-inspired suites blend discreetly into the forest. Wrapped in dark timber shingles, each cabin opens instead onto a vast panoramic window. In summer, the midnight sun fills the room without ever setting. In winter, when the skies are clear, the Northern Lights take centre stage. From beneath a thick, silver fox-inspired faux-fur blanket, they can be admired without even leaving the comfort of bed.
Scandinavian Warmth, Refined Simplicity
Inside the TreeHouse Suites, whitewashed timber reflects the purity of the surrounding snow, while heated floors, soft faux-fur armchairs, rain showers and the signature nest bed create an atmosphere of unmistakable Nordic comfort.
The five GlassHouse suites take the experience even further. Larger windows draw the landscape deeper into the interiors, while suspended fireplaces bring warmth to inviting living rooms dressed with rich brown wool throws. Nearby, private saunas fill with the comforting scent of heated timber.
No visit to Finland would be complete without embracing the country's most cherished tradition. With almost three million saunas for a population of just 5.5 million people, Finland boasts the highest sauna density in the world. Families gather there, friends catch up, conversations unfold much as they would around a dining table. Whisking the skin with fresh birch branches to stimulate circulation—or rolling in the snow afterwards—remains entirely optional.
For those seeking the ultimate retreat, the elegant ArcticScene Executive Suites elevate the experience still further. Their private wellness area features a glass-fronted sauna opening directly onto the surrounding forest. Two bathrooms, twin televisions, a bespoke king-size bed, a Nespresso machine and a yoga mat complete these luminous, beautifully understated interiors—inviting guests to slow down, reconnect with tradition and contemplate the quiet beauty of the Arctic world.
