It’s a well known fact Santa Claus lives in Lapland, so today, in honour of Christmas, we’re taking a peek at five fun Christmas style honeymoon resorts in spectacular holiday style!
1. Santa Claus Holiday Village
Located 10 minutes from the town of Rovaniem, The Santa Claus Holiday Village has 19 semi-detached cabins. While the cabins are well equipped with breakfast provided, private saunas and their own Christmas trees, the real value lies in the attractions of the village and the activities guests can embark on! Reindeer sleigh rides? Check! An ice amusement park? Check! Husky sleigh rides? Check! There’s even Santamus, Santa ‘s Office, Christmas House and a reindeer family to visit!
My favourite though is the Northern Lights safari which includes a snowmobile trip to see this spectacular natural wonder (with added campfire dinner) The hotel provides free shuttles from the Rovaniem airport available (a mere five minutes away).
Located in Lapland, Santa’s Hotel is more a traditional multi level hotel block, but it still has Santa’s charm. With 167 rooms (and plenty of luxury suites available) the hotel has three onsite restaurants and well equipped rooms, the most luxurious of which have private saunas, bathtubs and mod cons such as live Pay TV. The hotel is a mere 10 minutes from Santa Claus Village.
In the Christmas spirit yet? We’re just getting started! Next on my list is Crazy Reindeer Hotel also in Lapland, which has it’s own reindeer lounge, just right to kick off your relaxation! There are 157 rooms, all decorated beautifully and an onsite sauna (if your room doesn’t come with it’s own private version!) , on site gym, day spa, plunge pool and jacuzzi.
You can also visit Santa’s Workshop In The Elves’ Cottage at Taivaanvalkeat where you can bake cookies with the elves, toboggan, write letters to Santa and even meet the man himself.
Photo by Photobigben.com Artist/s: Lilya Pobornikova, Viktor Tsarski
4. ICEHOTEL
What’s Lapland without a little ice? Or perhaps a hotel made entirely of ice? ICEHOTEL is the place to be for a truly white Christmas. Located in Lapland at Jukkasjärvi, the hotel offers both warm and cold accommodation, the cold accommodation of course being carved out of ice hotel rooms. Your booking includes warm clothes, gloves, shoes, a morning sauna (to warm you up!) and each night, collect your bedding (including a toasty warm sleeping bag) from reception for a night of sweet, cold, dreams. You’ll be awoken by a warm mug of hot lingonberry juice.
You can, of course do an ‘all in one’ trip – ICEHOTEL has an onsite wedding chapel!
5. Santa’s Resort Kakslauttanen
At Santa’s Resort Kakslauttane, not only do you have an amazing place to stay (the resort holds 33 glass igloos which allow the most magical view of the Northern Lights) but you’re also staying right near the man himself’s home. Yes, Santa lives here. A reindeer elf will serve you warm drinks and ginger cookies, reindeer sleighs will transport you and you can visit the Gold Elf after walking over Santa’s handmade wooden bridge.
Kick back with egg nog in Santa’s coffee shop or make a booking at Celebration House for a festive meal (which, as is the running theme for us, also a beautiful location for your wedding reception able to hold up to 250 guests).
For Christmas festivities it’s best to visit Lapland in Winter, although Summer is just as charming. The snow is half the charm of this magical region and everybody knows Santa needs his rest for that one night of the year!
How magical – definitely on my ‘to do’ list!