Apukka Resort - Glass Igloos Hotel - Husky & Reindeer Farm and Tours

We stayed for two days and the stay was great. We were also lucky at the reception that Otavio spoke Spanish and explained everything to us wonderfully and was very attentive. He told us about an offer that the hotel had for that day for a sauna experience with a lake bath and it was spectacular, an experience that should not be overlooked. The resort has many free areas to spend time, such as tipis where you can light the fire and prepare food, an area to sled down mini slides, sleighs to be above the lake, an enclosed area where you can see reindeer and another where they have some horses and a pony. The breakfast is very extensive and you have many options for people with celiac disease or vegans. In short, they take care of all the details and the best of all is that we were able to see the northern lights without any problem one of the nights.

Just to let you know: you pay for the experience, not for comfort or luxury. In my opinion it's overpriced. We had a King Cabin and paid around 700€ per night. I stayed in places with a similar or even lower price range and this was definitely luxury...but here: rather no indication. All I'm writing about now would have been ok for me if there were other prices: There are almost no amenities in the room: the bathroom has shampoo and conditioner, that's it. NO bodylotion, slippers, bathrobes or other, NOT enough hot water. The electric fireplace is more like a loud warm fan. The heating system can'tbe controlled by yourself, you have to call the reception. But when we were there it was so cold outside, so that the outside temperature took control...that was what we were told by someone from the maintenance. So sometimes the floor heating worked, sometimes not. The bed covers were not as cozy and warm as I would expect in the north. We booked two king cabins together and asked if we can have them next to each other - three month in advance. What we got was so far away from each other as possible. Let's come to other issues: The gear you get is not freshly washed...at least I hope the socks and inner gloves were ;o) When we returned the clothes at check out we were told very unfriendly that the counter is closed. Well - we wanted to be friendly and helpful instead of leaving everything in the room. We booked the lakeview sauna - which was a great experience - but also: a very high price. The sauna guide excused that they don't have bathrobes at the moment. But still: full price. The husky tour was also great but too short. Not the two hours we paid for. We started delayed because guests were too late and arrived back at the resort in less then two hrs. The tour was from 2-4, we left around 2.15 and were back at around 3.45...and we ourselves stayed a little longer to take pictures and stay with the puppies. The snowmobile tour in the night was fun, unfortunately without Aurora. Nobodys fault. Do it at daytime in the morning: to drive over the lake in the rising sun is incrdible. Let's come to the food and restaurants: The Kota restaurant was nice, the food yummy BUT freezing cold. In addition they serve the food on traditonal metal plates which makes the food also cold very fast. We stayed with our jackets on, used warm packs, ordered hot drinks and went to the fireplace a few times to warm up. So not the coziest experience and not what we expected by having dinner by a fireplace. The other restaurant has a nice atmosphere when you eat a la carte, the breakfast and buffet restaurant misses it in my opinion. The breakfast has a lot of options but is no luxury. Only coffee which you have to get yourself out of a tank (so not freshly brewed), no specialities like cappuccino etc. I missed some more healthy gluten-free options like nuts and seeds and a wider range of fresh fruit (usually there were two options). But if you like Englisch breakfast and chocolate fountain - you'll be happy. Breakfast is served until 10.30. 10.20 there were no more eggs and when asked for more the brief answer was: No. We wanted to sit at a nice table in the sun at the la carte area for breakfast where a lot of other people sat. They said this was only for rush hour but now there are other tables available so we should please choose another one. The service doesn't clear your table while breakfast so take into account that your table will be a mess ;ö) But I don't want to forget the nice lady from the Philippines who has to get along with the cold: she was very friendly and served us well. When you book tours - regardless of whether you stay there or not - the transfer (16€ p.P.) is included. So as we didn't need that for our two tours we asked if we can use the transfer for exploring the Santa village or Rovaniemi. Brief answer: No. You have to buy an extra ticket. So I'll finish as I started: You pay for the experience. And as we had a great time with friends I have my inner peace. Just wanted to inform you what you get for your money.