Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
We are a wilderness Resort in Rovaniemi, Lapland, only a 15-minute drive from Rovaniemi International Airport and Santa Claus Village. We have unique Aurora accommodations in Aurora Cabin glass igloos and Kammi & Komsio Glass Igloo Suites with a panorama glass roof. Our Apukka Lakeview Suites, with two bedrooms and glass walls towards Lake Olkkajärvi, are spectacular for families or groups of friends. The middle of the Arctic nature location makes our place the best to hunt the Northern Lights and join exciting excursions in autumn and winter, like husky, reindeer, and horse tours, Northern Lights hunting, nature tours, and much more. Our authentic Restaurant Aitta is open every day from the morning until late at night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily in a warm atmosphere. Apukka's a la carte menu is all about local ingredients and pure taste. At Apukka Resort, we welcome you as a good friend.
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Apukka Resort Rovaniemi, nestled by a lake near Rovaniemi and the airport, is lauded for its peaceful surroundings and beautiful views, with guests appreciating the seamless transportation options. While the resort's activities and equipment receive acclaim, additional costs and limited service have been noted by some. The rooms are generally seen as comfortable and well-fitted, yet issues with hot water and lighting do arise.
Cleanliness is a strong point, with spotless conditions widely acknowledged, although occasional lapses in housekeeping services are mentioned. The staff's attentiveness and knowledge earn praise, despite some disorganization and limited dining choices. While the enchanting atmosphere is a highlight for many, the resort's overall value is debated due to extra charges for activities and shuttle service.
Location
Secluded
Atmosphere
Magical
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Mixed
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Satisfactory
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Picked this resort despite some poor reviews as it offers all the activities we wanted to do on site. This means booking once with a single operator for activities, accommodation and food. An excellent choice I think!! We stayed 4 nights in one of the new Family Cabins and it was perfect! They face the lake at the edge of the property which means clear view of sky and you wake up to a beautiful sunrise. We also caught the aurora from inside which was great because it was a freezing -22 dec C outside! The cabin has two double beds and even with the sofa bed open, it was spacious enough to open our bags and sit by the fake fire (electric fireplace). These cabins are a bit of a walk from reception (about 5 mins in snow/ice) so if you have a lot of bags, you can ask for them to be delivered by van. If not, it is also entirely possible to sled them to the cabin yourself.
We ate all our meals at Apukka -- not outstanding, but not bad either. Aitta is better than Kota. I'd give Kota a miss. Breakfast buffet is the usual resort-type. Kids loved the juice dispenser, I loved the coffee.
Activities were all good. I just felt the guides tended to walk a little fast, leaving the slower guests struggling behind. Especially with the snow/ice, it felt a little scary for the more senior members of the group. Activities are not private -- they all involve at least 10-20 people. Take the clothes they offer for the night activities. My youngest refused the boots and nearly froze on the horse-sleigh ride (specs fogged and froze, hands and feet froze, cried so tears froze, etc). It was so unbearably cold we literally had to beg to be taken back which thankfully they very kindly did.
The must-do activities I think are the sauna and ice dip (take your swimmers) and huskies. The kids were actually happiest doing the free activity of throwing themselves down the icy slope and playing with the snow. It unfortunately didn't snow while we were there, but the cannoned snow was okay. Covered the ground with white at least and gave the kids something to sled on.
All the staff were super friendly and helpful. We did not meet a single one who was impatient or curt. The guests, however, seemed a little less friendly than those we have met at other resorts. Maybe cos everyone was speaking different languages perhaps. The restaurant and reception areas are bustling, but the cabins are super peaceful and quiet. Quite magical really!
In all, I would recommend this resort, but book in December (and book early) if you don't want to stress about the lack of snow.
My only suggestion for the resort is to have more hooks/hangers in the cabin. Especially after the ice dip, there was just nowhere to hang four sets of dripping swim things. Also, for those taking cup noodles, bring your own chopsticks, cos there are only teaspoons in the room!
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Date of stay: November 2024
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:The resort is not really wheelchair friendly, many small steps and lots of walking. Must dash...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Dec 16, 2024
Thank you for visiting us and taking time to share your experience. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your time here with us and hope to see you again soon.
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After extensive research we chose Aupukka for our family holiday. We spent x5 nights in a Kammi Class igloo and booked lots of activities. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome and were looked after by the very friendly and helpful staff. The igloo was perfect for our family of 3, it was clean, modern and had everything we needed. All the activities were ran by friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff and at no point did we feel rushed. Snowmobiling with Erwin was a particular highlight. The breakfast was amazing with plenty of choice, both hot and cold. We pre-booked and paid for half board for 4 nights of our stay, This was the only negative for me and I wouldn't do this again. Its no cheaper booking and paying up front than if you just rock up that evening. The starter and dessert are buffet and you get to choice your main meal from 2 options. Although what we had was nice, if you didn't like either of the 2 options you were stuck. We also tried to swap our pre-booked half board for the A La Carte menu on our last night and although initially being told we couldn't, they did allow it but only gave us 40% of our pre-paid monies towards the cost. Dont get me wrong, all the food was really nice but by pre-booking we boxed ourselves into a corner and had no option to try the other restaurant onsite. I would highly recommend Apukka and 100% stay here again but simply not book any dining options in advance.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Kaisa Heiskari, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Nov 21, 2023
Hi Brad! Thank you for your lovely review. Our team is so happy that you enjoyed your family time with us. I will forward your feedback about the half-board dinners to our executive and restaurant teams. We aim to serve our guests in the best possible way. Best Regards, Kaisa / Apukka Resort team
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We stayed at Apukka Resort for two nights and the place is absolutely amazing. Everything is taken care of in detail, from the cabins to the surroundings, where you can take walks without getting tired of Finnish nature. The restaurants (Aitta and Kota) are decorated like cabins and the smell of wood when you are in them is incredible. The location, 10 minutes from Rovaniemi, is unbeatable. You are far enough away from the city to not hear noise and at the same time close enough to go shopping if you need to.
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Date of stay: January 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kinda disappointed with the service provided by Apukka. Checking in our room late night at 1.30am due to late night flight that we have informed earlier, there r no buggy service provided during this hours so we have to drag our own luggages from the reception to Kami Suite room. For a first timer, we have been told for the room location which is about 7mins walk, but for a family with senior along plus pulling big luggages, its definitely more than 10mins walk. The road leading to our room was full of small stone and was completely dark, there’s no streetlight nor signboard with lights that could guide us, all we have is the given map from the receptionist and phone torch light. We don’t mind paying for the buggy service but I think the receptionist could atleast inform us earlier before we check in or offer a hand beforehand. I hope management could sincerely consider this necessary service for their guest.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Nov 10, 2024
Dear Felicia, We thank you for sharing your feedback, and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you experienced during your late arrival. We understand how frustrating it can be, especially after a long journey, and we deeply regret that the lack of luggage service and the difficulty with the walk to your room affected your stay. We appreciate your suggestions regarding clearer communication about the room location and the availability of services. We will also address the lighting and signage in the area to enhance safety and comfort for all our guests. We hope you will give us another chance to welcome you and offer a more pleasant experience on your next visit.
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I stayed at Apukka Resort in November, drawn by the promise of a premium experience in their igloo accommodations with an opportunity to view the Northern Lights from the comfort of my room. While the first night in Room 116 met expectations, the second night in Room 6 was deeply disappointing due to several avoidable issues.
Lighting and Privacy Issues: The second night was anything but dark. Bright lights from the property and a snow blower disrupted the ambiance and made it impossible to see the Northern Lights from the room. Operational disruptions, including frequent foot traffic and a truck driving past early in the morning, forced us to close the blinds—completely defeating the purpose of booking a glass igloo. Avoid staying in Igloo #6 if you book this resort. (See photos.)
Unclear and Excessive Charges: Unexpected charges added to the frustration. A waitress attempted to add a tip despite Finland having a no-tipping policy, and the restaurant imposes credit card processing fees without prior disclosure—an unusual and off-putting practice. Additionally, the resort doesn’t honor the advertised 10% resident discount if you book online, which feels grossly unfair. I was charged 1 EUR for charging a donut. Everything about this resort made us feel nickel-and-dimed, like a giant “gotcha” at every turn.
Lack of Hygiene: The snow outfits provided were not cleaned between guests, which was downright disgusting. I had to request a new outfit to get one that was clean. For a resort charging over $700 per night, basic hygiene should be a given.
Lack of Thoughtfulness: Considering the high price point, there were no niceties or thoughtful touches—no warm welcome drink, no amenities in the room, and no personalized service to match the advertised premium experience.
Activities: Horse Sledding: While enjoyable, this activity felt overpriced. It’s essentially the same as the train ride, which is much less expensive. Adding to the disappointment, people on the train ate food meant for our group and shared the same tent, which defeats the purpose of paying for a smaller, more exclusive group.
Sauna/Jacuzzi: This activity was a highlight—super refreshing and well worth it.
Transportation: The buses run intermittently and are not available in the evening, making it impossible to visit the town or Santa Village at night.
In summary, Apukka Resort’s marketing creates high expectations for a seamless, luxurious Northern Lights experience, but the reality falls far short. The premium price isn’t justified by the quality of the stay, and operational mismanagement, lack of transparency, and an absence of thoughtful touches severely detract from the experience.
I would not recommend this resort unless significant changes are made to improve guest privacy, manage lighting more effectively, enforce basic hygiene, and stop nickel-and-diming guests. For this price, I expected much more.
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Date of stay: November 2024
Value
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Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Avoid the hotel at this price.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Dec 2, 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We apologize for not meeting your expectations. Our team will look into your concern so that we can continue to improve our services.
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Basic room facilities that are more like a 3 star hotel rather than a resort charging over £1,000 per night. The room facilities and bathroom amenities were cheap and minimal. The restaurant food (other than breakfast) was basic, overpriced and poor selection. I ordered the reindeer, which came as a pile of mince over mashed potato. More like a child's meal. I would not stay again and not recommend.
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Date of stay: November 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Dec 18, 2024
Thank you for your feedback! We are sorry to hear that your visit did not meet your expectations. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide you with a better experience.
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Very disappointed. I stayed in one of the rooms, and upon arriving with my girlfriend at the buffet, we ordered something to drink first and we were about 15 minutes drinking. We decided to have lunch, so I went to tell a waitress that I was several meters away from her to tell her that we were going to lunch, and halfway through the way I get another waitress behind me rushing by telling me if I was going to pay for it that I had consumed, hinting that I was trying to leave without paying. It bothered me but well, I let it go thinking it was a one-off and I told him I was going to lunch. I'm looking for the first course, all right. I'm going to get a second course at 15-20 minutes to the place where the food is, which is leaving the buffet, a few meters and again the waitress appears telling me if I was going to pay her. I told him I wasn't done having lunch yet, that I was going to get the second course. This is going to sound surreal, but I'm going to get dessert after 20 minutes and getting to the place where the food was I cross the waitress again telling me if I was going to pay her, I said no, she hadn't finished lunch and left. I was about to serve myself dessert and the truth that the situation bothered me so much and it was so uncomfortable that I personally looked for her and told her to charge me at once, so she stopped chasing me. I've traveled all over the world, and I've never felt so uncomfortable eating lunch in one place. At night we tried dinner in the restaurant that is more expensive than usual but well, hotels usually charge more expensive dinners, it is expected, what I did not expect were the microscopic portions, already bordering on misery. Really, how much more can you save? I'd really prefer to be charged even more expensive but not to put a main course with a minimal portion that looks like tasting that looks like it weighs 20 grams. The truth very disappointed with the gastronomic part of the hotel.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Service
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The sleeping accommodations were unsatisfactory due to the firmness of the beds and the limited space for four guests. The rooms were not adequately sized for comfortable occupancy by four individuals. The availability of hot water was restricted to twenty minutes every two hours. The quality of the food was poor, and the cost was not commensurate with the value received.
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Nov 3, 2024
Dear Sean, Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your stay did not meet your expectations. Your comments are important to us, and we will take them into consideration for improvements. We appreciate your input.
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We stayed at Apukka Resort for 3 nights in March, in the Aurora Cabin Queen. The rooms were very nicely decorated, and there was sufficient space for 3 adults + 1 infant. During our stay, we were warmly welcomed by the resort hosts, and they have a welcome pack with gifts, and a map introducing the resort area. We loved that there were many spaces to explore - reindeers, horse and a slope where we spent lots of time sledding and tubing.
During our stay, the resort hosts were all very welcoming! In particular, Benjamin was welcoming and helpful with our luggages, and giving us a tour around the resort and giving an orientation on how to use the features in the room as well! Thank you to the Apukka team for the great stay!
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded Dec 18, 2024
Thank you for the feedback!
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The place is very nice, but service not good as we expected from a place like this. Didn't make the room even if we put the sign at the door as they said to, stating later they simply forgot, so no cleaning the 3 days we stay. The food served in the main restaurant was buffet and honestly very bad, mass production food, overcooked and always the same, no variety at all. Our plan was breakfast and dinner included and for lunch we had the choice of buffet or menu, besides very expensive it was not worth the € we paid for it, in other words really bad. The only time we ate great was one dinner at Restaurant Kota, food and service excellent. The adventures were amazing and a beautiful experience, the service, the attention and security were main part of all activities, you felt safe with their instructions (snowmobile nigth ride and huskey sled ride) adding to that was the enthusiasm and profetional deminor of the guides. The reception people also great, always willing to help.
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Date of stay: January 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sunna Mero, Guest Services / Front Office at Apukka Resort Rovaniemi
Responded 1 week ago
Thank you for visiting us and sharing your experience! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the beautiful setting, adventures, and the excellent service at Restaurant Kota. However, we're sorry that the overall service and dining experience didn't meet your expectations. Rest assured, your comments have been taken to heart. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again and provide a better experience next time.
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Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom2 contributions
I'm not 100% sure about visiting any time to have a walk around though I'm pretty sure you can, it's worth noting you'd only be able to see the 2 or 3 reindeers in a fenced in area behind the main resaurant at the resort though, as the main herd of reindeers live across the road and you have to be on one of their tours to go there. I'd really recommend the tours if you're interested in reindeer - I did one in the autumn to feed the reindeers and really enjoyed it.
They also have free open days every now and then when anyone can come and walk around and they have reindeer sleigh rides and meet the huskies so it might be worth keeping an eye out to see if they have one of those coming up any time soon.
Hi! Sorry for the late reply. If you stay with us, you'll get winter clothing for the whole stay. The same clothing works for all activities.
Best Regards, Kaisa / Apukka Resort team
There are more places to choose from in the Rovaniemi area.
PRICE RANGE
₱37,755 - ₱80,221 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
FinlandLaplandRovaniemi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
106
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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