Where to Eat
As with other theme parks, food in Santa Claus Village is expensive. We didn’t shortlist any restaurants, except for one:
Santa’s Salmon Place
Best. Salmon. Ever.
This happens to be their tagline. And it happens to be true. There’s always a line here but you will not regret it. The tepee-like restaurant is small and always packed. Santa’s Salmon Place has only one item in its “menu”: salmon. And boy, it’s the best grilled salmon you will ever eat.
Where to Stay in Santa Claus Village
Surprisingly, there are nine options for accommodations inside Santa Claus Village (all are located in the periphery, within walking distance). But we didn’t stay inside the property as there are much cheaper options outside (and just a short bus trip away).
Some of the accommodations have the typical look-and-feel of a hotel or cottage. But there are a handful of standouts. If budget were not an issue, we would stay here:
1. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
I always see this in Instagram so I was very tempted to stay here. When you’re there though, you’ll discover it’s near the parking lot. Still, the views in their photos are fantastic. And the treehouse-like suites are modern and posh. I would stay here.
2. Arctic Snowhotel & Glass Igloos Rovaniemi
Another dream dashed. I also had wanted to stay at a glass igloo for a 360-degree view of the sky. Staying in the snow hotel also sounded fun. We just couldn’t get ourselves to spend so much on one night. But heck, we might do it next time.
3. Apukka Resort
What I really like about Apukka Resort is that they offer a variety of quirky options: Lappish cabins, glass igloos, wagons, and ice hotel.
4. Glass Resort
They took glass igloos to a higher level, literally. They offer 2-story, loft-type glass apartments with a private hot tub, private sauna, and a nature view.
Pros & Cons
As you realize by now, we have mixed feelings about Santa Claus Village. It’s not the highlight of our Finland winter travel. Yet, we are still glad we went.
What We Like
- The official status
- The overall atmosphere
- Meeting “official” Santa
- Writing and sending letters
- Snowsledding
- Crossing the Arctic Circle
- Santa’s Salmon Place
What We Didn’t Like
- The teeming crowds
- Very commercialized and touristy
- Too many shops
- Not as experiential and immersive
So is it worth visiting Santa Claus Village? If you plan to go to Finland, first of all, don’t just go to Helsinki. At the very least, go to Rovaniemi for a Lapland experience. And since you’re visiting Rovaniemi anyway, you might as well visit Santa Claus Village.
It’s not the most “authentic” experience and it’s more mall than theme park, but Santa Claus Village has enough to offer grownups and kids to make it worth the visit.
