Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets

There was plenty of parking, and we enjoyed the beautiful walks, great restaurant, and very friendly staff. Great hotel.

We were here shortly before Christmas. Getting to nearby attractions by taxi was easy, though the walk to the local shop through the snow was a bit of a trek with young kids. The front desk team made a real difference: everyone was pleasant, polite, and helpful. My six-year-old daughter wanted to learn some Finnish, and a kind receptionist took the time to sit with her and read it together. If you're reading this, she loves the book you gave her.

The rooms are tiny, with the beds taking up nearly all the space. Sound carries straight through the walls, so we could hear conversations, TV, and other noise from next door, which made it hard to sleep or relax. Food smells came through too, filling our room for hours and making it uncomfortable. Parking is handy, though sometimes people who aren't staying there park in front of the house. There are no bathrobes, and the bathrooms and kitchen feel outdated and need renovation. The sauna is basic and doesn't feel modern or well designed. Blinds are the only window covering, and they don't block enough light, so the room gets too bright in the morning.

We had a wonderful stay, with comfortable, spacious rooms and plenty of meal choices for us as vegetarians. A couple of things to know: there isn't a hand jet in the toilets, so if you're used to one instead of tissue, bring a portable one. There's only one toilet and bathroom, and anyone sleeping upstairs has to come all the way down to use it.