Arctic River Resort

Our 3 generation family of 11 spent 2 wonderful days at Arctic River Resort. We stayed in Cabin 1 & 4. They are very modest but clean and comfortable. Cabin 1 seemed cabin-y and cute and very close to the restaurant. Cabin 4 was more isolated (which I liked). The photos don’t do it justice! We esp loved the sauna and the balcony where we cooled off. Please note: - There is no storage for clothes — we were fine w this as we just opened our suitcases and slid them under the bed. - For both rooms, there is not enough seating for the number of ppl who can sleep there. So, Cabin 1 sleeps 6 but the living room seats 3 and the kitchen seats maybe 4; Cabin 4 sleeps 6 but the living area seats 4 ish and the dining area 4. Nit important to us, but something to note. The restaurant was delicious, plentiful, and varied for breakfast and dinner. I appreciated that it was open throughout the day, even though we didn’t end up needing to go mid day. The owner and the staff were kind, helpful, and funny! I wish we had booked more days here. We did not book any activities so cannot comment. I really loved the isolation, darkness, and quiet. It was unbelievably beautiful surroundings. We had a car, however, so I’m not sure how it would be for someone looking for an all inclusive resort like stay.

Very nice and friendly staff, the cabin was well equipped, the beds close to the window, which is a bit small but opposite the door, so you can get a breeze in the evening to rid the cabin of the heat of the day. Fortunately, I also got a cabin that was relatively close to the sanitary building (toilet/shower) and the camping kitchen building. The site is surrounded by a very idyllic loop of the river Ivalojoki. The nearest supermarket is about 30 minutes' walk away. At the reception there is a very good restaurant with a nice terrace. The wifi was a bit slow and unstable in the cabin, which was a bit unfavorable for remote working, but still acceptable. The kitchen building has a glass front on the sunny side, so it was hardly bearable in the afternoon in the very warm/hot summer.

The Arctic River Resort is a great place to stay for your adventure to Lapland. Recommend booking the tours in advance especially the highlight husky safari through the snowy conifers through the wilderness forest. My second favourite tour was King Crab fishing in Kirkenes in Norway with a visit to Ice Hotel and the king Crab feast. There are snowmobiles for rental and being on the meander of Ivalojoki the resort is the perfect place to practice your snow and ice skills, snow suits can be hired from reception. For those used to hiking in winter I recommend the Finnish trail app retkikartta for free maps. Bring a torch because the polar nights can mean the trail is pitch black by 2pm. Also tell the reception or leave a note to say where you are going for safety. If you are lucky you will be treated to the amazing dance of the Aurora, tour is also bookable at the reception but the northern lights cannot be guaranteed. Staff are very friendly, as with the people of ivalo you can explore the restaurants, souvenir shops and supermarkets in the evening. You may bump into the reindeers on the fields on your way out to the main road. Enjoy the forests surrounding the resort it offers great opportunities for photographers.

Updated rooms and very friendly and attentive staff. Hotel offers a variety of activities so you can book on arrival or in advance. Saw the Aurora right outside the hotel after hours of hunting. Airport pickup if needed. Highly recommended!

Este alojamento foi o nosso ponto de entrada na Lapónia e a nossa base para explorar estas latitudes tão setentrionais. O alojamento é formado por quartos individuais, cabanas para famílias e espaços para caravanas. Tem uma recepção com restaurante, muito confortável, onde, também, é servido o pequeno almoço. O nosso quarto era bastante confortável, mas a casa de banho com duche aberto torna-se um pouco desconfortável com o frio extremo. O pequeno almoço era bom, mas sem deslumbrar. No último dia, tivemos de esperas 10 minutos para reporem os pratos quentes e trouxeram, apenas, um tabuleiro de batatas misturado com bocadinhos de salsichas. Também têm disponível uma sauna mas ainda não havia o buraco de gelo no rio para baixarmos a temperatura, motivo pelo qual fizemos sauna noutro local. Quando pedimos para sairmos um pouco mais tarde no quarto (no último dia), disseram que tal não seria possível, pois tinham um grupo grande a chegar nesse dia. Acabamos por passar grande parte do dia no restaurante e o tal grupo, até às 16:30, nunca chegou (podiam dizer que não era política do local fazer late check out e eu aceitava, mas mentir, torna as coisas um pouco desagradáveis). Pelo pequeno almoço e o check out no último dia, dou 4 e não 5 estrelas.

Nous avons séjourné 6 nuits entre copines. Endroit parfait, au calme, au bord de la rivière. Les propriétaires sont deux personnes très gentilles, qui viennent toquer à votre porte lorsqu'il y à des aurores boréales (nous n'avons pas pris l'activité payante, ça n'a pas été nécessaire, idem pour les rennes puisque vous en croisez en pleine nature en vous baladant). Prévoir à l'arrivée le strict minimum pour manger et boire car les placards sont vides. Il y a un supermarché à 20min à pieds, ouvert jusque 22h, route éclairée.