Guesthouse Borealis

The room was tidy, clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly. It's a short walk to both the bus and railway stations, and getting into town is still easy along the footpaths, just a little farther. The accommodation was budget-friendly. A few things to keep in mind: there's no lift, so you'll have to carry your luggage up to your room. The walls are thin, and you may hear neighboring rooms and doors locking or unlocking, though that didn't bother us. Ask for a hairdryer at check-in, or you may have to wait until 10am the next day to ask reception.

We'd read some reviews that made me worry, but our stay was very pleasant. The location is the guesthouse's best feature: it's an easy, short walk to both the bus and train stations, even with heavy bags, ice and snow. A grocery store is just around the corner. Walking into town takes a bit longer, but the footpaths are flat and well maintained, so it was still easy in bad weather. Our two-bedroom apartment had five beds, large rooms and comfortable beds. The kitchen was well equipped, with a full-size fridge and an oven big enough for me to bake a Christmas ham. The apartment is dated but well maintained, and we found it quite clean. I didn't see the individual guest rooms, but the reception area and bathroom beside it were tidy and clean too. Breakfast is served in a shared room, with plenty to choose from: tea, coffee, juice, pastries, bread, spreads, cookies, porridge, sliced meats, cheese and salad greens. For budget accommodation, we were pleasantly surprised. It would suit a larger family who wants to cook for themselves.

We needed somewhere affordable, and this was better than I expected. Our two-person room was small but just right as a place to sleep and eat between days out exploring. It was clean and tidy when we arrived, warm and cozy, with comfortable beds and heated bathroom flooring. The kitchen was a great bonus: clean, stocked with what we needed, and handy for making simple dinners and packed lunches. Getting there was easy, and the email check-in instructions were clear. The location worked well for us, with public transport, a supermarket and town all an easy walk away. Breakfast was simple but had everything we wanted, and the eating area was clean and well supplied. The staff were lovely and friendly. It felt like a little home away from home, with a safe, warm atmosphere. It's not luxury, but it made our holiday perfect. All the guests were quiet after 11, and we didn't hear any noise overnight. Thanks for a wonderful stay. We'd come again.

Compared with other Rovaniemi hotels, the price is low. It works for a short visit, but I wouldn't choose it for a two-week holiday. The location is pretty good, near the train station, bus station and supermarket, and around a 15-minute walk from the city center. Rooms were clean, and breakfast was quite good, though simple. The downsides: rooms are small, and the hot water supply kept breaking. I think the water container is too small, which is a very bad situation when it's -30°C outside. The shower curtain wasn't comfortable and water splashed around. Reception is open only limited hours, there's no luggage storage after checkout, and checkout is as early as 10am. From outside the building looks a bit like a shed, and the interior should be renovated.