Long before glass igloos became a fixture of every Arctic wish list, Kakslauttanen was building them. This family-run resort, open since the 1970s and roughly 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle, is the place that put the idea of watching the northern lights from your pillow on the map. Today it spreads across two villages in the forest near Saariselkä, with domed igloos, log cabins and hybrid kelo-glass chalets tucked among the snow-loaded spruce.
For honeymooners, the appeal is simple and a little otherworldly. You two can warm up in a private sauna, climb under a down duvet and leave the curtains open to the sky, trusting the aurora alarm to wake you if the lights flicker overhead. By day the wilderness is your playground: husky teams, reindeer sleighs, snowshoe trails and some of Finland's best cross-country skiing start almost at your door. It is not a hushed, white-glove luxury hotel; it is something rarer, a full-scale Arctic village built around one extraordinary night under the stars.
Highlights at a glance
- The original Finnish glass igloo village, operating since the 1970s
- Kelo-glass chalets that pair a log cabin with a glass-roofed bedroom
- Three traditional smoke saunas and an ice pool
- Planetarium, sky bar and brewery at Kakslauttanen Cosmos
- Huskies, reindeer and snowmobiles on the doorstep
- Gateway to Urho Kekkonen National Park
Two Villages in the Forest
Kakslauttanen is split into an East Village and a West Village, a few miles apart and linked by a free shuttle. The East Village is the original: smaller, cozier and closer to a hamlet, with traditional log buildings, the reception, a chalet-style restaurant and the resort's famous smoke saunas. Couples who want a quieter, more intimate feel usually lean east.
The West Village is newer and bigger. It is home to the larger igloos, the kelo-glass chalets and Kakslauttanen Cosmos, a cluster that includes a planetarium the resort describes as the largest in the Nordic countries, a glass-roofed observation tower bar, an art gallery, a design shop and a small brewery and distillery. Most guided activities depart from here.
Beyond both villages lies Urho Kekkonen National Park, one of Finland's largest protected wildernesses. A vast network of groomed ski tracks begins right in front of the resort.
Glass Igloos, Kelo-Glass Chalets and Cabins
The classic small glass igloo is a snug dome of thermal glass that stays frost-free, with a bed angled for sky-gazing. Recent upgrades have given the igloos en-suite showers and some now have a private sauna, which makes the experience far more comfortable than it was in the early days. Larger igloos in the West Village add more breathing room.
For a longer honeymoon, the kelo-glass igloo is the smart choice. It pairs a handsome log cabin, built from silvery kelo pine, with a glass-roofed bedroom, so you get a living area, a fireplace, a kitchen and a sauna plus the full aurora view. Couples-specific options in the East Village include the Queen Suite, the Traditional House and a Wedding Chamber designed for two.
Many couples split their stay: a night or two in a glass igloo for the wow factor, then a log cabin or kelo-glass chalet for space to unpack and settle in.
Lappish Dining
Stays are typically sold with breakfast and dinner. The cooking leans proudly regional: creamy salmon soup, sautéed reindeer with lingonberries, Arctic char and forest mushrooms, with berries such as cloudberry and bilberry appearing in desserts. Dinner is served at the Aurora Restaurant in the West Village or the log-chalet restaurant in the East Village, depending on where you sleep.
For something more memorable, book the Smoke Sauna Restaurant, a reservation-only Lappish dinner served after a session in the smoke sauna, or have a drink in the glass-ceilinged Planetarium Bar or the Igloo Tower sky bar, where you can keep one eye on the horizon for green light. The East Village also has a piano bar for a nightcap. Lunch is usually extra, so plan on a casual midday meal between activities.
Why guests fall for it
Saunas, Snow and Wellness
In Finland the sauna is close to sacred. Kakslauttanen takes it seriously. The kelo-glass igloos and log cabins have private saunas, as do some glass igloos, so you can warm up together after a day in the cold without leaving your room.
The real ritual, though, is the smoke sauna. The East Village has three of them, including one on the lake and a huge communal sauna, plus an ice pool for the brave. A traditional smoke sauna is heated for hours with a wood fire and then vented, leaving a soft, deep, aromatic heat that regulars swear by. Alternate between the heat and a quick plunge or a roll in the snow and you will understand why Finns call it the best way to end a day. Note that the lake smoke sauna requires a reservation about 48 hours ahead.
Arctic Adventures for Two
Winter here is a menu of picture-book moments. Mush your own team of huskies through silent forest, glide behind a reindeer on a sleigh, or join an evening snowmobile safari that heads away from the village lights to hunt for the aurora. There are snowshoe walks, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice fishing and, of course, a visit to Santa's home in the West Village if you want a little whimsy.
Cross-country skiers will be in heaven: the Saariselkä area is regularly praised as one of the world's great Nordic ski destinations, with groomed tracks heading straight into the fells. In summer the mood shifts to hiking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, horseback riding and gold panning under the midnight sun.
Popular safaris fill quickly in peak season, so book the activities you care about most when you reserve your room.
Why Guests Fall in Love
Ask returning guests what they remember and the answer is almost always the same: lying in a warm bed under the glass, watching the sky turn green. Reviewers describe that first aurora sighting as the defining moment of their trip. Many say the aurora alarm made sure they did not miss it.
The setting earns constant praise too. Guests love the deep snow, the silence of the forest and the sense of staying in a real Arctic village rather than a single hotel building. Couples frequently mention the private saunas as a highlight. The newer kelo-glass chalets get warm notes for combining coziness with the view.
The sheer range of activities is another recurring theme. Husky rides, reindeer sleighs and snowmobile tours are often singled out as trip highlights. Many couples call it a once-in-a-lifetime trip, which is rather the point of a honeymoon.
Good to Know
- Aurora season for the glass igloos runs roughly from late August to April. Peak snow and demand fall from late November through February; March brings longer days, deep snow and good aurora odds.
- Rates usually include breakfast and dinner, but transfers, lunch, safaris and some extras are charged separately, so budget for activities.
- The resort is near enough to Saariselkä that you will see some light on the horizon; evening aurora tours carry you to darker skies.
- Stay at least three nights to give the clouds a chance to clear.
- The resort typically has a quiet closure period in late spring; check dates if you are traveling in May.
- Warm outerwear such as thermal overalls and boots can usually be rented on site.
Insider tips
- Split your stay: one or two nights in a glass igloo, then move to a kelo-glass chalet or log cabin for more space.
- Choose the East Village for a quieter, more intimate feel; choose the West Village if you want Cosmos and most activity departures nearby.
- Reserve the lake smoke sauna and the Smoke Sauna Restaurant dinner in advance; they need advance notice and fill up.
- Travel in March for deep snow, longer daylight and strong aurora chances at shoulder-season prices.
