DIY Travel Blog

Introduction: Why We Chose Saariselkä for Our Lapland Base

Saariselkä is a small, peaceful, family-friendly destination in northern Lapland, Finland. With a population of around 300, the people here are warm, friendly and genuinely welcoming.

My daughter chose this Saariselkä accommodation because she dreamed of staying in a cosy log cabin in Lapland – somewhere quiet, surrounded by forest, with a real log fire. And its northerly position meant a much better chance of early snow and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.

Saariselkä is the most northern ski resort in Finland and is close to Ivalo Airport (around a 25-30 minute drive or shuttle bus away). We drove from Rovaniemi (3-4 hours) and there’s also a long-distance bus service, which you can find on Onnibus.com.

Learn more about activities available in Saariselkä (coming soon!)

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Overview of Arctic Log Cabins

Arctic Log Cabins are a cluster of traditional log cabins close to the centre of Saariselkä – ideal for families, couples and winter adventurers.

Our first impression was pure delight – the log cabin felt like a dream come true. Little touches like the reindeer rug, woollen cushions and blankets, and the slightly treehouse-like layout all added to the cosy atmosphere.

Arrival was incredibly easy. We were given a key code and let ourselves in. Every question was answered in the handy cabin manual, which explained how everything worked, listed local restaurants and even included activities we could book with doorstep pick-up.

We felt Arctic Log Cabins were some of the most atmospheric and cosy Saariselkä cabins in the area. Before we booked, I looked at Northern Lights Village, which looked fabulous and includes half board – but we prefer to eat out, and Arctic Log Cabins were around a third of the price in November.

Location: Why This Cabin Was Perfect for Exploring Lapland

The cabins are in an ideal location – close to the centre of Saariselkä where you’ll find restaurants and a supermarket, and also near Northern Lights Village, where you can book activities like husky sledding. The toboggan hill and ski slopes are a short car journey or bus ride away. We actually walked to the top of the slope – a half-hour walk uphill!

Although we had a car, it was definitely easy to get around without one.

We thought the location was brilliant compared to other Saariselkä accommodation options simply because of its central position.

Inside the Cabin: Layout, Comfort & Standout Features

• Bedrooms: The cabins have 3 bedrooms – 2 identical doubles with a single bunk above the double bed, plus an attic double.
• Bathroom: The bathroom sits in the centre and includes a private sauna.
• Kitchen / Living: A perfectly laid-out space with comfortable seating (a large sofa bed, chairs and a coffee table). The kitchen has everything you need, including a dishwasher and coffee machine, plus a dining table.
• Storage: There’s a designated space for coats and boots, and you can use the drying rack in the sauna for wet clothes.
• Outside: A large balcony with a bench for storage/seating.
• Parking: Free parking outside.

Everywhere was beautifully warm – in fact, the room above the sauna gets very toasty.

Storage in the bedrooms is limited (a couple of shelves and a small wardrobe without hangers) so it’s worth bringing a few fold-up hangers.

It’s ideal for small groups and families with older children looking for a short-term holiday let. Children will love the attic bedroom that you enter via a wooden step ladder – but I wouldn’t recommend it for little ones.

The most magical part? Seeing the Northern Lights directly above the cabin. With so little light pollution, we had a fantastic display.

Facilities & Amenities We Loved

• The sauna – perfect after long, cold days.
• Well-equipped kitchen for cooking budget-friendly meals.
• The log fire and supplied firewood.
• Wi-Fi, parking, TV.
• We loved the traditional, cosy log-cabin feel – especially as much of the Saariselkä accommodation is quite modern and expensive.

Our Experience: What It Was Really Like Staying Here

We spent the loveliest cosy evenings next to the log fire, warming up after snowy adventures. I loved waking up to views of the forest and watching soft flakes of snow drifting down outside.

We enjoyed scenic walks right from our doorstep and being able to wander into town for dinner.

Best of all was seeing the Northern Lights – a true bucket-list moment, and we couldn’t believe our luck.

Downsides:

We found the cabin warm and cosy, but there is a charge for extra firewood. We would have preferred arriving to made beds rather than just linen, and the lack of bedroom storage was noticeable. My husband found the bunk above the double bed a bit of a nuisance and ended up sleeping in the attic room — though it didn’t bother anyone else.

One thing guests must be careful of is how easy it is to lock yourself out – so always keep the key with you or in the lockbox.

Who This Cabin Is Best For

• Families wanting affordable comfort.
• Couples looking for a romantic Lapland escape.
• First-timers needing convenient, easy Saariselkä accommodation.
• It’s ideal for a short stay. I would happily have stayed longer, but the storage might be an issue for extended trips.
• Although it sleeps 10, it’s absolutely perfect for 4–6. Any more and you might struggle.

Price & Value for Money

We paid £374 (for 4 people) for 3 nights in November, whereas December prices start from around £856. I felt it was great value for the space, the amenities and the location.

Other Saariselkä cabins either don’t quite have the charm and convenience of Arctic Log Cabins, or they’re more expensive.

How to Book Arctic Log Cabins

You can book these cabins on Booking.com. They’re very popular, so it’s best to book early for November–March.

Pros & Cons Summary

Pros:

• Brilliant location
• Spacious cabin with sauna
• Great for families
• Cosy Scandinavian atmosphere

Cons:

• Limited storage
• Easy to lock yourself out
• Lack of headspace in the bunk beds

Final Thoughts: Would We Stay Again?

Honestly, I would stay here again in a heartbeat. Any downsides were far outweighed by the positives. For us, it was an authentic, bucket-list experience and brilliant value for money.

A cosy, traditional cabin with a log burner, surrounded by nature – the perfect place to unwind, spot the Northern Lights and experience real Finnish Lapland.

We genuinely felt it was one of the best Saariselkä accommodation options for families planning a DIY Lapland trip.

If you’re planning your own DIY Lapland adventure, this is the cabin I’d book again in a heartbeat. Have a browse, save it for later and start dreaming of snowy forests and Northern Lights dancing above your roof.

👉 Check prices and availability for Arctic Log Cabins here ✨

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