A winter wonderland | family friendly hotels and activities in Lapland

Most parents dream of taking their young children to Lapland, but assume they won’t be able to afford it.

It might seem a bit extreme to spend a night in an ice igloo, but the Ice Hotel in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi is a quirky ‘must-do’ for families, and offers a surprisingly comfy night’s sleep.

There are cold room and warm rooms on site and it’s recommended you book one night in a frozen ice suite (there’s no minimum age, but it’s recommended for children 6 and up) and one or two in the warm suites, to discover all the hotel has to offer. The cold rooms come equipped with reindeer furs and thermal sleeping bags, and once you’re all wrapped up in thermal jammies, gloves and hats, it’s actually pretty toasty. And what an experience to tell your friends about!

The hotel also includes a majestic lobby, an ornately carved chapel complete with fur topped ice pews. The famous ice bar has a range of non-alcoholic drinks and welcomes all ages, so you can take your kids in for a chilled juice, served in their very own cup carved from ice. Warm yourself up in the morning with a hot drink and a cooked brekkie then fill your days with husky sled rides and traditional Sami fireside storytelling.

This hotel is just 30 minutes from Rovaniemi airport, and a great way to kick off your arctic adventure. Choose from two unforgettable experiences; opt for a family glass igloo and you can sleep under the stars in your very own heated glass dome.

Spend your days on an electric snowmobile safari (suitable for children four years and older, kids under 140cm travel in a sleigh pulled by the guide), and your evenings relaxing with the family in a private sauna, then scanning the night sky for the Aurora Borealis. Or – if you’re feeling really brave – enjoy an outdoor jacuzzi, then snuggle into a family snow room (sleeps up to six) where the walls are carved from frost and ice. Wake the next morning with a steaming hot cup of berry juice to warm you up and get you going.

Choose from a selection of rooms or cosy log cabins for your stay in Luosto, which is a scenic 90-minute drive from Rovaniemi. What I love about this is there’s a restaurant conveniently on site that offers both traditional Lappish dishes for the adventurous eaters, and a simpler pizza and snack menu to keep little ones happy. Included in the price is access to the Amethyst Spa and swimming pool (treatments are extra). A wide range of Arctic adventures can be booked from Luosto, including reindeer and husky safaris, or jump on a snowmobile (children can be catered for) and take an unforgettable ride through the pristine forest and up to the Lampivaara amethyst mine.

Book a family room at this budget-friendly hotel, where you’ll enjoy clean, comfortable accommodation in the heart of Lapland’s wintery wonderland. Just 90 minutes drive from the capital of Rovaniemi, Posi is close to the stunning natural sights of Korouoma Canyon and Riisitunturi National Park and perfect for family skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. There is also a restaurant on-site with a kid-friendly menu – a huge bonus when you’re worn out from a day in the snow and have ravenous kids to feed before bedtime!