For anyone who’s ever wondered what it’s like to live in a snow globe, there’s no better destination than northern Scandinavia. It’s a pristine winter wonderland where it snows all the time, reindeer run wild, and Santa Claus lives. Now, Finland is looking to woo even more travelers to its own slice of the Arctic Circle with yet another stunning, one-of-a-kind resort.
Located in the Santa Claus Village (we swear that’s a real place) of Finnish Lapland is the accurately named Snowman World Glass Resort. Here, in the dense snowy woodland of Rovaniemi, is a series of two-story glass “cabins” unlike any other. Their architecture is inspired by the traditional Kota huts of the native Sámi people who have called Scandinavia home for millennia. The cabin’s towering, glass-heavy walls and cleverly placed windows are all designed to bring the outside in.
The interiors feature a sleek, upscale, thoroughly Scandinavian design with hardwood laminate flooring, clean-lined furniture, and minimal decorative accents. All offer luxury appointments including spacious living areas, well-stocked kitchenettes, hot tubs, and private saunas. Perched atop a spiral staircase is the master loft where a massive glass skylight offers unparalleled views of the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of your own bed.
Assuming you can pull yourself away from your room, this a legit resort with five-star amenities. The main building houses a domed, two-story restaurant. Free breakfast buffet and a three-course gourmet dinner of authentic Lappish cuisine are available. For the uninitiated, that means hearty dishes like game meat appetizers, reindeer steak, salmon soup, and leipajuusto (a fried bread cheese dessert garnished with cloudberries), plus ungodly amounts of glögi (mulled wine) to help you forget about that mild frostbite.
In the last few years, Finnish Lapland has evolved as a hotspot for adventurous, Arctic-loving travelers. The region’s long list of cold-weather outdoor opportunities includes dog-sledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and unique cultural experiences with the Sámi people. With near-zero light pollution, consistently cloudless skies, and high northern latitude, it’s also one of the world’s best spots for watching the Northern Lights.
Glass Resort joins a long list of new Lapland hotels including the Game of Thrones Ice Hotel, the now famous Glass Igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, and the forthcoming Koutalaki Ski Village which promises to offer rooftop skiing.
Nightly rates at Snowman World Glass Resort start at USD $600 (double occupancy). But, can you really put a price tag on watching the Northern Lights while herds of Santa’s reindeer prance outside your bedroom window?
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