Lapland’s magic turns genuinely luxurious when the aim shifts from ticking sights to curating rhythm. Split the stay: two nights under glass for the sky, then a final night in a log chalet with fire and sauna for the deep exhale. In Saariselkä, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort pioneered the kelo-glass igloo — a warm timber chalet fused to a glass-roof bedroom — making it ideal for families or two couples who want northern lights without stepping outside. In Levi, Golden Crown – Levi Igloos crowns Utsuvaara with horizon views and quick access to private reindeer farms, so sleigh rides and stillness are measured in minutes, not miles.

The season runs from late August to April, with the sweetest aurora window typically September to March. Fly into Kittilä (KTT) or Ivalo (IVL), request a private transfer, and let the snow handle the soundproofing while you move between glass-roof nights and kelo-log warmth. Done this way, Lapland becomes a study in contrasts — crystal ceilings for wonder, crackling timber for rest — with the north’s quiet doing most of the talking.

Aurora northern lights night at forest, image by Parilov, Shutterstock

Where to Stay (and Why It’s Luxury)

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Saariselkä

Luxury here is measured in silence, sky, and thoughtful design. The glass igloos are intentionally intimate: low-slung silhouettes with radiant heating, anti-fog glazing, blackout blinds for late sleepers, and bedlines angled to face the aurora arc. The effect is private theatre — the firmament as your only screen — with snow absorbing every ambient sound.

The resort’s signature Kelo-Glass Igloos are the masterstroke. A traditional kelo-log chalet (weathered pine with insulating heft) merges into a glass-roof bedroom wing, so guests move from firelit living room to star chamber in a few steps. Many come with a private sauna and wood-burning fireplace, and the layout can sleep up to six — ideal for families or two couples who want both companionship and separation. Underfloor heating keeps thresholds warm; boot rooms and drying cupboards make outdoor days effortless rather than messy.

A discreet, by-appointment “Santa’s Home” visit can be arranged. Done privately, it sheds the theme-park gloss and becomes a charming interlude that even discerning teens enjoy: a short storytelling moment, small-batch ginger biscuits, a photograph by the fire — then a quiet glide back through snow-lantern paths to your door. Concierge teams handle husky, reindeer, or snowmobile timings so the igloo remains the constant and the excursions feel optional, never compulsory.

Glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort Finland, image by Flystock, shutterstock

Golden Crown – Levi Igloos, Utsuvaara (Levi)

Poised high on Utsuvaara, Golden Crown prioritises horizon lines and frictionless access. The collection ranges from Superior Igloos for couples to the Northern Lights House, a stand-alone residence with private terrace and hot tub — perfect for post-sauna cool-downs under the sky or celebratory toasts when the KP index climbs. Interiors are clean-lined and Nordic, with generous duvets, angled pillows for sky-watching, and cleverly concealed storage so luggage disappears and the room reads as calm.

Location is a quiet superpower here: around 15 minutes from Kittilä Airport, which keeps transit short for long weekends and spares families the fatigue of extended transfers. Levi’s infrastructure means quick pivots — a private reindeer farm in the afternoon, piste-side lunch in town, hot tub stargazing by night — all without eroding the sense of remoteness that travellers come to Lapland to reclaim.

Sustainability is not a slogan but an ongoing practice. Levi’s local initiatives target energy performance, snow and grey-water management, and waste-stream reductions across operations. Guests should ask for specifics — green power percentages, heat-recovery systems, linen cycles — and choose greener options (from refillable amenities to low-impact excursions) so indulgence and responsibility align. The result is luxury that feels current: glass-roof nights with minimal footprint, log-house warmth without excess, and the freedom to curate days around weather, light, and mood rather than timetables.

Signature Experiences to Book Privately

Aurora dinners

The north’s most memorable tasting menu is staged outdoors (or in a glass-walled shelter), timed to KP forecasts so service slows when the sky begins to move. A private chef builds a multi-course menu around Lapland’s pantry — Arctic char, cloudberry, spruce tips — with hot broths between plates to keep warmth constant. Candles are wind-shielded, courses are plated on heated stones, and a photographer can work discreetly so the only choreography is the aurora itself. The luxury is in the pacing: lifting a spoon just as the horizon lifts too.

Winter Lapland Reindeer sled racing in Ruka, images by Roman Babakin, Shutterstock

Private reindeer sleigh & farm visit

Quiet, slow, and steeped in Sámi pastoral history, a private sleigh suits multigenerational groups. Handled one family at a time, routes keep to forest margins where snow muffles everything but the runners. After the ride, meet the herders over coffee and cardamom buns; children help with lichen feed while adults learn how antler growth and migration shape the calendar. It is heritage, not spectacle.

Husky mushing at first light

Book blue-hour departures for cinematic snow and empty trails. A private guide teaches the basics — stance, brake, voice — before releasing the team into a soft, breath-white canter. Families with younger children can request a short private loop with a second guide shadowing for comfort. Back at camp, dogs cool down; you warm up by the brazier with berry tea.

Snowshoe to a viewpoint

For travellers who prefer quiet over speed, a guided snowshoe is the gentlest route to deep winter scenery. Guides set a conversational pace, pointing out fox tracks, frost-rimed birch and the blue tint that precedes twilight. Descend to a private sauna slot, followed by herbal tea by the fire — circulation restored, shoulders dropped.

Campfire with kettle in the snow in Finland, image by Nancy Pauwels, Shutterstock

Ice-fishing with a cook-up

Drill, drop, listen to the hush. In a heated hut, local guides trade lake stories while you watch the line for that first flicker. Success or not, the cook-up is the point: a cast-iron pan sizzling with perch or whitefish (yours or the guide’s), browned butter, dill, and rye. Children can take turns at the auger; adults pour a nip of hot berry cordial. It’s rustic by design, but privately hosted, punctual, and warm — the kind of northern luxury that lingers long after the snow has sealed your tracks.

A 3-Night Mini Itinerary

Night 1 – Under Glass

Arrive by late afternoon and let the pace drop immediately. A quick fitting for thermal suits and boots keeps the first night effortless; dinner stays light and early. In the igloo, set the aurora alarm, dim every interior light, and draw fabrics away from the glass so there are no stray reflections. Even if the forecast stays quiet, the reward is stillness under the Milky Way, with snow acting as natural soundproofing and the room warmed to lounge temperature.

Day 2 – Reindeer & Sauna

Sleep in. Late morning becomes coffee, pastries, and a slow kit check. A private reindeer sleigh threads through birch and pine — unhurried, almost silent — leaving cameras to capture rather than chase. Return mid-afternoon for a sauna cycle (heat, cool, rest) and a short nap. Dinner is staged as an aurora supper: courses land between sky checks, and if the lights arc, the service simply pauses. No rush, no compromise — the meal and the heavens share the timetable.

Night 2 – One More Sky Chance

Keep the second igloo night. It’s strategic: if the first night delivered a full curtain, this is pure relaxation; if not, you’ve built insurance into the plan. Re-calibrate camera settings, swap to fresh batteries, and let the aurora alert do the watching while you read beneath the glass.

Day 3 – Huskies & Chalet Switch

Book a blue-hour husky run — the dogs settle into an easy canter on near-empty trails, and photographs take on that cinematic, cobalt light. After brunch, transfer to a kelo-log chalet. Spread out: luggage stowed, base layers drying, children drifting to the mezzanine. Stock the fireplace, steep herbal tea, and run a long sauna to reset circulation before evening.

Night 3 – Firelight Finale

Turn off the hunt. The point tonight is firelight and room to exhale: cards on the table, one perfect bottle opened, music low. If the sky calls again, you’ll hear it through the window and answer on your terms — boots by the door, coats warm, tripod ready. If not, you’ve already had the luxury most itineraries miss: a rhythm that protected both wonder and rest.

Plan Like a Pro

Transfers: Arrange a private SUV or minibus; door-to-door transfers and luggage-forwarding between properties are easily handled by concierge.
Gear: Resorts supply outer layers; pack Merino base layers, thick wool socks, and pocket warmers. Add glove liners and a slim power bank that tolerates cold.
Photography: Bring a fast, wide lens (24mm f/1.8–2.8) and a compact tripod. Kill every interior light (and dim screens) during long exposures; use a remote or timer to avoid shake.
Wellness: Work in hot–cold cycles: sauna → snow → sauna → snow. Three rounds is the classic cadence; hydrate between sets.
Children: Keep experiences short and sensory (reindeer, brief husky loops) and anchor the day with one big “wow.”

Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, image by Roman Babakin, Shutterstock

What Insiders Book

Kakslauttanen kelo-glass igloo for families who want space, a private sauna, and a firelit living area without losing the sky.
Northern Lights House at Levi for privacy, terrace soaks, and easy airport access (ideal for long weekends and late arrivals).
A chef-led aurora dinner scheduled on your strongest KP forecast night.
A private reindeer sleigh precisely timed for blue hour — quiet trails, cinematic light, and photos without crowds.

Country road in Finland, Lapland, image by nblx, Shutterstock

Micro-FAQ

When is the best time for the Northern Lights? They’re possible late August–April; the most reliable window is September–March.
Are glass igloos warm? Yes. Insulated glazing and radiant heat keep rooms cosy; pack a light sleep mask for early dawns.
How far is Levi from Kittilä? About 15 minutes by private car.
Is Santa’s Home public? It’s by appointment; your concierge will secure a quiet slot and manage timing around naps and meals.
Can we do this as a long weekend? Yes — fly into KTT or IVL, keep transfers short, and plan two nights under glass plus one in a chalet. This balances sky chances with deep rest, avoids packing fatigue, and leaves just enough time for one or two signature experiences without rushing. ◼

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© This article was first published online in Sept 2025 – World Travel Magazine.