Escape to Arctic Paradise: Star Arctic Hotel Awaits in Inari, Finland
Forget the Brochure, Let's Talk Arctic Paradise: A Messy, Honest Take on Star Arctic Hotel in Inari, Finland
Okay, so you're thinking Arctic adventure? Visions of the Northern Lights dancing above your head? You've stumbled upon Star Arctic Hotel in Inari, Finland. Trust me, I've been down that frosted road, and I'm here to give you the real lowdown, not just the glossy marketing fluff. Prepare for a wild ride, because this review is going to be less "perfectly curated travel blog" and more "honest traveler's brain dump." Buckle up, buttercups.
First, the Essentials (and the Imperfections):
- Accessibility: This is HUGE. They definitely try to be accessible, listing "Facilities for disabled guests." BUT, and this is a big but, you REALLY need to contact them directly to clarify the specifics. Finland is generally pretty good with accessibility, but Arctic hotels can be tricky with snow and outdoor spaces. (Important: Double-check the actual physical access before booking if this is critical for you!)
- Cleanliness and Safety: (Covid-era Edition) Okay, let's be real, safety is paramount these days. Star Arctic seems to take this seriously. They list everything under the sun: anti-viral cleaning, daily disinfection, room sanitization, staff training, hand sanitizer galore, and even "rooms sanitized between stays." But also, are you REALLY going to get away from the real world? In a place with this many trees, there is no way the air is as clean as these standards want you to believe.
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes, please! Oh, and "Internet Access - LAN" if you're feeling old-school. Honestly, I needed this because I have to travel every weekend. Because of my job, I have to send emails. Nothing worse than a slow connection when you're trying to upload photos of the aurora borealis while battling a deadline.
- The Rooms (The Cozy Nest): Alright, let's talk about the actual rooms. They list everything and the reality is it depends on what you pick. I like how they are listing all the things. They have all the things. I'm a minimalist at heart, but when I'm freezing I need these things: air conditioning (even in the Arctic!), a damn good shower, and a comfortable bed. Also, having a bathrobe and slippers to stroll around in is a small luxury that can make a huge difference when the temperatures drop. Also, blackout curtains are your friend when you're trying to sleep through the midnight sun (or the endless darkness, depending on the season!). And the "Extra-long bed" is a lifesaver for us tall people. They also offer rooms with a view: you need to find that room!
Food, Glorious Food (and Drink!):
- Dining Options: This is where Star Arctic starts to shine. They have restaurants, a bar, and a coffee shop. They also offer room service (24-hour!), which is clutch when you're jet-lagged and craving something delicious. Breakfast buffet, a la carte… basically, your taste buds will be happy no matter your energy level.
- Cuisine: International cuisine makes me a happy camper.
- Drinks: Happy hour, poolside bar (okay, maybe indoors poolside, given the location!), and, crucially, that "bottle of water" that's essential after a long day of… well, whatever arctic adventures you're into.
Things to Do (Beyond the Obvious Northern Lights):
- Relaxation Central: Let's be honest, you came here to unwind. And Star Arctic has you covered.
- The Sauna Revelation: Look, I loathe saunas. I mean, sweating in a wooden box with strangers? No, thank you. But…the sauna at Star Arctic? It changed my entire perspective. Maybe it was the freezing cold air outside, the pure exhaustion from tracking the Northern Lights, or the sheer novelty of the whole experience. The silence, the heat, and the cold plunge afterward? It was absolute bliss. I basically emerged a new person. And you know you can do that sauna experience
- Spa/Sauna/Pool: They have a lot of options. Spa is a good option.
The Less-Glamorous But Still Important Stuff:
- Services and Conveniences: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, luggage storage – these are your everyday life-savers. Cash withdrawal? Handy. Car park (free of charge)? HUGE deal in the Arctic, where parking is premium real estate.
- Getting Around: Airport transfer? Yes, please. Helps you beat the cold!
The Anecdote (Because It's More Fun):
Okay, here's a story. I spent a solid hour trying to navigate a snowmobile trail. Turns out, it's much harder than it looks. I got hopelessly lost, covered in snow, and feeling utterly ridiculous. I finally stumbled back to the hotel, shivering and humiliated. But the friendly staff, the warm welcome, and the roaring fireplace in the lobby? Pure magic. And the hot chocolate? The best I've ever had.
The Offer (Because You Need a Reason to Book!):
Alright, here's the deal. Escape to Arctic Paradise with Star Arctic Hotel! This is your chance to truly experience the magic of the Arctic. Forget the ordinary and book your winter getaway to experience the northern most hotel in the world. Here’s why you should pack your bags right now:
- Unforgettable Experiences: Witness the Northern Lights, immerse yourself in the culture, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
- Arctic Comfort: Imagine crisp, cold air, a steamy sauna, and a hot meal while you sleep soundly in your luxurious room.
- Peace of Mind: Enjoy a stress-free stay with their comprehensive safety protocols, flexible booking policies, and excellent customer service.
- Book direct: The Best Prices!
Don't wait! The Arctic is calling, and Star Arctic Hotel is waiting to welcome you! Click the link and get ready for an adventure you won't soon forget! Book your escape before your trip is over, and escape to the ultimate Arctic adventure.
Indonesian Backpacker Paradise: Conquer Mount Bromo with the Colorbox Pro!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We’re going to the Star Arctic Hotel in Inari, Finland. Forget pristine, pre-planned perfection. This is going to be a glorious, chaotic, hopefully-mostly-memorable mess.
Day 1: Arrival & Awkward Aurora-Hunting Attempt (and a near-disaster with the sauna)
- 14:00: Arrive at Ivalo Airport. Jesus, it's cold. Like, face-numbingly, nose-hair-freezingly cold. The airport is tiny, bless its heart. Grab our pre-arranged transfer – a guy in a van who looks like he’s seriously questioning all life choices. He’s probably right to.
- Quirk Observation: The inside of the van smells strongly of pine and quiet desperation. I think it sums up winter in Finland pretty well.
- 15:30: Check into the Star Arctic Hotel. The rooms are… well, they're domes. Giant, glass domes. I feel like an astronaut… a very cold astronaut. The view is breathtaking, though. Seriously. Jaw-dropping. My jaw literally did drop. (I had to pick it up. Dramatic much?)
- Emotional Reaction: Holy moly, the anticipation! I've dreamt of the Northern Lights since I was a kid, poring over photos in dusty encyclopedias. Now this is it, reality hitting me hard.
- 17:00: Sauna time! (This is where things get… interesting). I am notoriously bad with saunas. I get claustrophobic, itchy, and start hallucinating tiny gnomes. But, Finnish tradition, right? Have to do it. We gingerly start, and I immediately started to find it a bit hot. As it turns out, the gnomes didn't show up. I just sat there and sweated. Then, it got a bit too hot for us, and we bolted out to face the cold.
- Imperfection: Note to self: maybe take a cold plunge after the sauna? In -20 degrees Celsius? I looked at the icy lake. Nope. Nope, nope, nope. Definitely not.
- 19:00: Dinner. Reindeer stew. It’s… okay. The presentation is gorgeous though, like something out of a fairytale. They've got these tiny little potatoes that look like they’re sculpted from snow. I swear I bit into a snow one.
- Opinionated Language: Reindeer stew is fine. Pretty bland, actually. Beautiful presentation though. But it is what it is. You're not going to eat it because you're a foodie. You're going to eat it because you are in Finland, and it is winter, and reindeer stew is a thing.
- 21:00: Aurora hunting! Armed with cameras, tripods, and a desperate hope. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. Cloud cover. The only lights we saw were the blinking stars. The sky laughed at me.
- Emotional Reaction: Disappointment? Yes. Devastation? A touch. But also? The sheer, unadulterated beauty of the night sky, even without the lights, was enough to make me happy. Seriously.
Day 2: Dog Sledding & the Surprisingly Moving Sami Museum
- 09:00: Rise and shine! Or, rather, gradually emerge from beneath a mountain of blankets because it’s still dark. Breakfast in the hotel. The buffet is surprisingly good. The coffee is strong. I need it.
- 10:00: Dog sledding! This is the whole reason I came! The dogs are a blur of fur and enthusiasm. They're barking, they're yipping, they're vibrating with pure, unadulterated joy. And then, they're off!
- Messy Structure & Rambles: The feeling you find in the snow during dog sledding is phenomenal, it's like soaring a very low altitude. The wind whips your face, your arms ache from holding on, and you're completely, utterly… present. It's invigorating and terrifying and wonderful all at once. I'm not going to lie, I fell off once. It was, well, dramatic.
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: The sheer energy of the dogs, the silence of the forest punctuated by their panting and the swish of the sled across the snow… it was magic. Absolutely, undeniably magic. After, we got to cuddle the puppies. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I wanted to take them all home.
- 13:00: Lunch (again). This time, a picnic lunch supplied by the hotel. Sandwiches, soup in a thermos, and these little chocolate bars that are basically fuel.
- 14:00: Visit to the Sami Museum Siida. This was the surprise highlight of the trip. I expected… well, I don't know what I expected. But it blew me away. The exhibits, the stories, the sheer resilience of the Sami people… it was incredibly moving.
- Emotional Reaction: I actually teared up. It wasn’t just facts and figures. It was a feeling of deep respect for a culture that has endured so much. It’s a moment of quiet reflection I won't forget.
- 17:00: Another sauna attempt. This time, I lasted longer… then I dove into the icy lake. Okay, I dipped a toe in. Once. I immediately retracted it.
- 19:00: Dinner. This time, they have grilled salmon. Delicious. I'd happily eat salmon every day. But I'm saving space for dessert.
Day 3: Snowshoeing, A Near-Miss Aurora, & Bitter-Sweet Departure
- 09:00: Snowshoeing. The hotel provides snowshoes. The actual act of walking with these giant things strapped to your feet is less graceful than I imagined. However, the views from the top of the hill? Worth the awkward waddle.
- Quirky Observation: Snowshoeing is basically walking in slow motion. Like, really slow. Apparently, it is a fantastic workout. My burning thighs would agree.
- 12:00: Lunch by a campfire. We roasted sausages, and made coffee. The air smells of woodsmoke and pine needles. Pure bliss.
- 14:00: Free time. I spent it reading in my glass dome, looking out at the ever-changing sky. The sun, when it deigned to appear, painted the snow in the most incredible colours.
- 21:00: Aurora hunting attempt number two. This time… We caught a glimpse! A fleeting, shimmering streak of green across the sky. Not the spectacular show I'd hoped for, but… it was there! I saw the damn lights!
- Emotional Reaction: Elation! Even a brief glimpse was enough. I jumped up and down, whooping like a lunatic. Success! Finally!
- 21:30: Packing. The joy of packing. Okay, maybe not. But the reality is, we're leaving tomorrow.
- 22:00: One last drink at the hotel bar, nursing the feeling like its the very last time, remembering the laughter and the ice and the dog sledding.
Day 4: Departure
08:00: Final breakfast, and a last look through the glass dome.
09:00: Transfer to Ivalo Airport.
11:00: Flight home.
Opinionated Language: This trip was far from perfect. It was cold, sometimes frustrating, and I certainly didn't see the Northern Lights in all their glory the way I'd imagined. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was real, it was messy, it was beautiful, and it was, most importantly, unforgettable. And you know what? I'd go back in a heartbeat. Maybe I'll finally conquer the sauna. Maybe.
Escape to Arctic Paradise: Star Arctic Hotel – Your Questions Answered (and My Ramblings Too!)
Okay, so you're thinking of heading to Inari, Finland, to the Star Arctic Hotel? Smart move. Or maybe you're just curious? Either way, buckle up, because I've got some opinions – and some stories to tell. Let's dive into this mess, shall we?
1. Is the Star Arctic Hotel REALLY as magical as the Instagram photos suggest?
Ugh. Instagram. The bane of my existence and the reason I booked this trip in the first place. Yes, the photos are stunning. The Northern Lights dancing over those glass igloos? Jaw-dropping. But here's the thing… reality is a little... different. When I first arrived, I was absolutely gobsmacked – it's *gorgeous*. Seriously, breathtaking. But the *second* night? Full cloud cover. Zero aurora. Heart. Broken. I'm not saying the photos are *lying*, but maybe manage expectations. The magic? It’s there, but it's got a mischievous streak. Don't count on it every single night. And bring a tripod. Seriously. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't.
2. What's the deal with the glass igloos? Is it all hype or is it worth the splurge?
Okay, this one is crucial. Let's be honest, the glass igloos are *the* reason you're considering this place, right? I mean, staring at the aurora borealis from the comfort of your bed? That's the dream. Here's the unfiltered truth: Yes, they are absolutely worth the splurge...IF you get to see the aurora! I mean, seriously, waking up to that light show? Forget everything. Pure euphoria. If you're unlucky, like I was that second night (still bitter!), it's just a ridiculously fancy room. It gets HOT in there too… Like, sauna hot. And the lack of privacy is a little awkward. You're basically living in a goldfish bowl. But seriously. If you *see* the lights...you'll forget all of the minor inconveniences. It's life-changing (maybe).
3. What's the food like? Is it just reindeer and sadness?
Okay, this is something I was *really* worried about. Finnish food... I'd heard things. Turns out, the Star Arctic Hotel has a pretty decent restaurant! Yes, there's reindeer, and honestly, it's pretty good! It's not all reindeer though. They have a buffet, which is a godsend if you're picky like me (I lived off the bread and the salmon. Don't judge!). One thing I will say, though...prepare for the prices. Think "New York City expensive," but in the middle of freaking nowhere. Don't expect to eat like a king every night unless you're prepared to take out a second mortgage. Pack some snacks! I'm serious, I nearly cried when I saw the price of a bag of chips.
4. What activities are available? Will I die of boredom?
Boredom? A valid concern. You are in the middle of nowhere, remember. But fear not, there's plenty to do. They offer tons of activities: husky sledding (amazing!), snowmobiling (terrifying and exhilarating in equal measure!), snowshoeing (surprisingly tiring!), and even ice fishing (which I was utterly terrible at). The problem? They're all expensive. VERY expensive. Pick and choose carefully, unless you've got a trust fund, in which case, invite me next time, yeah? Personally, I spent *way* too much on the snowmobiling... It felt like I was on a real-life video game, though!
5. Is it kid-friendly? Or more of a romantic getaway?
Hmm, tricky. It's a bit of both, to be honest. I saw a few families there, and the kids seemed to be having a blast. The sled dogs are a big hit. But...the overall vibe leans more towards romance. Imagine a lot of couples gazing into each other's eyes under the Northern Lights. If you *are* going with kids, make sure they understand the potential for disappointment if the lights don't show up. I saw one little kid *bawling* because there's no aurora on his second night of the trip... Poor kid. Heartbreak for everyone.
6. What's the weather like? Should I pack a hazmat suit?
Yes, it's cold. Very cold. Think "the air hurts your face" cold. Layers, people. Layers are your best friends. Thermal underwear is a must. Waterproof everything. Seriously, pack for the apocalypse. And don't underestimate the wind chill! I was prepared for the cold, but the wind whipped right through me, and on my first day I nearly froze. Then again, one day it was so warm, I could take off a layer. So, unpredictable. The weather is unpredictable. I suggest you to prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and cry when the weather is as awful as my state of mind when the aurora never showed up. Bring a really, really warm hat. And a scarf. And gloves. And probably a small, furry animal to keep you warm at night. Just kidding... kind of.
7. Are there any downsides? What didn't you like?
Ugh, this is where I get real – which is basically all the time. First, the cost. It's eye-watering. Prepare to take out a second mortgage. Second, and this is a big one... the aurora. There's no guarantee you'll see it, and that can be crushing. Third, the lack of privacy in the igloos. You're basically on display. Fourth, the remoteness. Getting there is a mission, and once you're there, you're really *there*. Fifth, one of the employees was a bit grumpy. BUT, the biggest downside is probably missing the aurora. Makes you question all the choices in life.
8. Would you go back?
Yes. Absolutely. Even with the price tag, the potential for disappointment, the goldfish bowl factor... I'd go back. Because the memory of that one night – the aurora swirling above me – it's burned into my brain. And, deep down, I'm a sucker for that kind of magic. Just...this time, I'm bringing a camera with a proper tripod, and maybe bribing the aurora gods (if they exist). Oh, and definitely bringing more snacks.
Backpacker Hotel Find
Post a Comment for "Escape to Arctic Paradise: Star Arctic Hotel Awaits in Inari, Finland"