Hotel Metsähirvas

The breakfast box we ordered for the next day was lovely, with snacks, a ham sandwich, eggs, smoothie, milk, and a muffin. I only had a short stay, but enjoyed it at this beautiful renovated schoolhouse about 20 miles from Rovaniemi. There’s a sauna, though I didn’t get a chance to try it. The hotel is by a lake, but it was dark at that time of year and I didn’t go down to see it.

The restaurant was quiet when we ate there one evening, with a nice atmosphere from the string lights, and the food was good. The hotel is an easy drive from town and sits by the river, with some pleasant paths around the property. I was there in January 2026, and the price didn’t seem to match the quality. The bathroom in our room especially needed maintenance and a thorough clean. A little care would make a big difference. The wood sauna shown so often in the photos costs extra, while the hotel’s included sauna was run-down and closed for most of the day. Service often lacked warmth, and breakfast was disappointing. None of this is completely unreasonable, but the price should reflect the level of quality better, especially in the off-season.

I loved it and will definitely be back. I travelled solo to Rovaniemi for the first time, and the staff were incredibly warm, welcoming, and helpful. The hotel was extremely comfortable and had everything I expected, plus Moomin juice boxes. 10/10, such an amazing experience!

The lake is within walking distance, and the hotel is a great place to see Aurora Borealis. They even provide a free fireplace and wood by the lake, so there’s no need for an expensive tour. The rooms are modern, clean, tidy, and have everything you need. Staff were very friendly, and the hotel is around 20 minutes from Rovaniemi. Breakfast had something for everyone, although it wasn’t really to our taste. We had a rental car, which I’d recommend for staying here, since taxis and Uber are expensive in Finland. This was a great hidden gem, and we’d definitely come again.