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Wilderness Hotel Muotka

Wilderness Hotel Muotka

Finnish Lapland, Finland

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A tucked-away forest resort with rustic log cabins, igloo-style suites, and individual rooms.

Dense boreal forests wrap around Wilderness Hotel Muotka, while the Kakslauttanen River flows (or freezes) beside it. Far enough away from the nearest town, it cocoons you in the Nordic landscape, which is thick with snow in winter and has very little light pollution, giving you clear views of the northern lights when they make an appearance. The Aurora Cabins, in particular, offer uninterrupted views of the night sky through warmed glass roofs that melt away the snow.

Comfort and quiet are the calling cards of the cabins and rooms at Muotka, which feature natural timber, fireplaces, and large windows to bring the outside in. When you’re not relaxing in your room, you can take part in Finnish and Sámi pastimes like unwinding in a wood-fired sauna, snowshoeing, and reindeer sledding. There’s a restaurant on site for all meals, while Santa’s Secret Cabin is just a 15-minute snowmobile ride away.

OUR OPINION:

We love how remote and peaceful Wilderness Hotel Muotka is — it’s a place to switch off and connect with one another and the landscape, whether you’re staying as a couple or a family.

OUR RATING: Medium

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Photos of Wilderness Hotel Muotka

Restaurant, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Restaurant, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Restaurant, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Restaurant, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Aurora cabins, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Aurora cabins, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Panorama log cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Panorama log cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Aurora cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Aurora cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Wilderness room, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Wilderness room, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
River sauna, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
River sauna, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Panorama Log Cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Panorama Log Cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Riverside log cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Riverside log cabin, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
River sauna, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
River sauna, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Lounge, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Lounge, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Northern lights, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)
Northern lights, Wilderness Hotel Muotka (credit: Wilderness Hotels)

Rooms

Chunky log cabins line up on one side of Wilderness Hotel Muotka, while the other is dotted with individual glass-roof igloo-style suites. There are also larger cabins overlooking the river, as well as individual rooms close to the main building. All options are en suite, with natural timber interiors, and some come with private saunas. Rooms sleep up to two people, while the log cabins can sleep up to five. You can also fit an extra child’s bed in the igloo-style Aurora Cabins to sleep three people in total.

Location

While Wilderness Hotel Muotka is in the depths of the taiga forest, it’s just a 15-minute car (or snowmobile) ride from Saariselkä village, where you’ll find restaurants, a souvenir shop, and Santa’s Secret Cabin. That said, the resort has everything you need, so you won’t have to go anywhere once you’ve arrived, and Ivalo Airport is around 30–40 minutes away.

Food and drink

  • Restaurant Tuisku uses local ingredients to create Nordic dishes.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served buffet-style in winter.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served à la carte in autumn.

Families

  • Extra beds are available in some rooms and cabins.
  • Child-friendly experiences include husky safaris, snowshoeing, reindeer farm visits, and meeting Santa.

Honeymooners

  • Rooms and cabins with private saunas.
  • Aurora Cabins offer views of the northern lights.

Facilities and activities

  • Private and shared saunas available, including a traditional wood-fired sauna.
  • Warm clothing is provided, such as thermal overalls, boots, and gloves.
  • Winter experiences include snowmobile safaris, northern lights viewing, and husky sledding.
  • Nearby river for Arctic plunge experiences.
  • Communal lounge area with tea and coffee served throughout the day.

Environmental and social responsibility

The Wilderness Hotels collection places an emphasis on responsible travel and holds certifications that reflect its high sustainability standards. The log cabins at the Muotka hotel, in particular, are crafted with renewable wood, while the restaurant sources seasonal ingredients locally.

Tour ideas in Finnish Lapland

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at Wilderness Hotel Muotka as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

    • A glimpse into the life of a reindeer herder
      Reindeer in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland

      A glimpse into the life of a reindeer herder

      A glimpse into the life of a reindeer herder

      On this two-hour visit to an authentic working reindeer farm, you’ll meet a reindeer herder and learn about their way of life, master how to lasso a reindeer, and ride a sled through Lapland’s snowy wilderness.

      View details
    • Chasing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland
      Northern lights, Finnish Lapland

      Chasing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland

      Chasing the northern lights in Finnish Lapland

      Heading into Finnish Lapland’s remote wilderness, you’ll join a private guide in search of the northern lights. Then, as the display shifts and unfolds above you, enjoy a meal that has been cooked over a campfire.

      View details
    • Family snowmobiling experience
      Snowmobiling in Finnish Lapland

      Family snowmobiling experience

      Family snowmobiling experience

      Experience the thrill of snowmobiling as a family, taking in forest scenery as you go. Adults can drive their own vehicle while children are pulled along in a sled by your guide. Then, it’s time for younger riders to drive their own smaller snowmobile on a dedicated track.

      View details
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    Finnish Lapland and nearby places