Sometimes you see places on social media that make you think at first, does this place really exist? Rovaniemi in Lapland seems to be a place that attracts special and bucket list places and accommodations.
Of course you immediately think of these igloo accommodations. But recently Aito Resort opened its doors in Rovaniemi. And they have unique, one of a kind, treehouse accommodations. And that's not all. Because Aito Resort is the first resort in Rovaniemi to offer a complete spa and wellness, including a swimming pool.
This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley. She stayed at AitoResort, on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences.
We have a special discount code for our readers and followers. Code TravelTomTom5 can be used directly on the Aito Hotel website. It gives you a 5% discount. It can be used until the end of August for bookings until the end of May of 2026. Excluded dates are 1.12.2025 – 07.01.2026.
Location
When you travel to Lapland you often want only one thing, nature! A city like Rovaniemi is nice, but you are in Lapland to seek out nature. That is what makes resorts like Aito Resort so great.
Aito is located about half an hour drive from the centre of Rovaniemi, so you are far away from all facilities and city life and it really feels like you are in the middle of nowhere.
On the way to Aito Resort you leave the main road at some point. Then you think you have arrived, but you easily drive another 10-15 minutes on a narrow forest road that eventually ends at the entrance of Aito Resort. It doesn't get any more beautiful. In the middle of the forest, hidden, the paradise that is called Aito.
Aito Resort is nestled in the heart of the Rovaniemi forest and on the banks of Lake Palojärvi. Aito is a luxurious and comfortable retreat and truly the perfect place for those travelers who seek authenticity and a true connection to Lappish nature.
The lakefront location makes it a top location for us! No matter what time of year you visit Lapland, a lake always offers a lot of recreational possibilities. Of course, also in the winter! A natural ice bath, ice fishing, snowmobiling or just a nice walk on the frozen lake.
Aito also offers a shuttle service to Rovaniemi city centre and Santa Claus Village for a fee. As they are quite a distance from the city centre, it is a good idea to use this shuttle if you do not have your own transport.
Accommodation types
Aito Resort has some of the most unique accommodations you can find in Finland! To start with, they have two main buildings in which they house various hotel rooms. These are the Deluxe Rooms and the Junior Suite.
The Junior Suite has a cottage yet modern feel and can accommodate up to 7 guests. A cosy apartment with a private sauna and a full kitchen. Perfect if you travel with the whole family.
The Deluxe Rooms offer the serenity of the Arctic with their rustic yet luxurious feel. They can accommodate up to three guests. The Deluxe Rooms are an elegant space that nurtures a peaceful mind.
Then you have the Aurora Nest. We have experienced this before at another accommodation in Rovaniemi. Aurora Nest is a mobile igloo boat that offers a year-round scenic glamping experience. Thanks to its panoramic glass walls and ceilings, you will invite Lapland's natural wonders into your room!
Whether you enjoy the calming water of the lake during the midnight sun or witness a spectacular Northern Lights display from your Aurora Nest, these are unforgettable nights!
Aurora Treehouse
We had the chance to stay in their special Aurora Treehouses. I can honestly say that this is truly one of the most special accommodations we have ever had the pleasure of staying at. I will be honest, when I saw these Aurora Treehouses on social media, I initially thought it was an AI image. But I soon found out that this is completely real and in our favorite Rovaniemi. These Treehouses are a dream just looking at them.
The Aurora Treehouse is a cozy cottage perched on a three-meter pillar among Arctic nature. They have a large panoramic window offering amazing and impressive views of the lake and best of all, front row seats to the spectacular Northern Lights displays in Autumn and Winter.
The interior feels very welcoming. A Nordic and modern Finnish design. They have a king-size bed, a kitchenette with sink, stove and refrigerator and a large bathroom. Truly an experience for a lifetime and one for on your bucket list for sure!
They have two rows of Treehouses. Ours was in the front row, all the way at the back. That gave us a view of the reindeer. Of course, it's great to see the reindeer first thing when you wake up.
Arctic Spa Centre
As you may know, Rovaniemi is one of our favorite destinations. In the past three years, we have already made five trips to Rovaniemi and will be going for the sixth time this Autumn!
Of course, all houses and accommodations in Finland have their own sauna. There is no hotel where you do not have access to a sauna. However, we sometimes missed a real wellness. Especially after a long day outside in the wonderful but freezing nature, we sometimes simply needed or wanted a nice warm swimming pool or a lovely jacuzzi.
Aito steps into this gap and has its own Arctic Spa Centre. We can assure you, this is absolutely amazing! They offer a very extensive wellness that you can enjoy as a guest. To ensure that it does not get too busy, you must reserve a time slot of two hours in advance.
The wellness area is located in the main building where the reception is also located. From the reception you can easily take the stairs down and you will arrive directly at the wellness. You can also reach the wellness from outside, they have a direct entrance. When you make a reservation for the wellness, you will receive one wellness card per person. You will then hand in this card at the wellness desk. You will then receive a towel, a bathrobe and slippers. You can change clothes and then enjoy yourself for two hours. Afterwards, you hand everything back in.
The largest part of the wellness area is located in the main building. Here you will find the so-called Thermal Suite. Their Thermal Suite offers wellness experiences to revitalize your body and soothe your mind. Whether you choose a cleansing steam bath, a rejuvenating Himalayan salt ritual or a soak in their hot spring. They have a hot spring, vitality pool, steam bath, heated Himalayan salt beds and a relaxation area. They also have outdoor hot tubs overlooking the lake.
They also have an exclusive lakeside sauna with an open-air terrace and another two luxurious hot tubs. It's an authentic traditional sauna hut with of course the picturesque Lake Palojärvi completing the setting. It's truly an amazing and outstanding relaxation experience. If you want the real Finnish experience you first take the sauna for a couple of minutes to heat up, and then you take a dip in the ice cold lake! We dare you!
During our stay we did not leave Aito Resort. We wanted to enjoy ourselves here to the fullest. So we also went to the wellness twice, simply because we could and because it is so incredibly relaxing and nice.
Wildwoods Restaurant
Wildwoods is the main restaurant of Aito Resort and highly recommended to have dinner here during your stay.
At Wildwoods they take you on a journey into the wilds of Lapland. Using local and fresh ingredients to create an unforgettable dining experience.
Wildwoods is also the place where you will have breakfast in the morning.
Aurora Northern Grills Restaurant
The second restaurant they have onsite is the Aurora Grill. Here they serve delicious meals made with genuine Finnish ingredients, straight from the forests and the lakes.
The rustic interior and exterior design pays homage to the Kota, a traditional wooden hut used by reindeer herders in the old days.
Feel free to go in and enjoy the crackle of live fires and the aroma of the Arctic.
Activities
Aito Resort offers a wide range of activities. They have their own safari house where all activities start. Here you gather, you are offered warm clothing, gloves and boots if necessary and then it is time to start the activity. We decided to give ice fishing a try, one of the few things we had never done before.This is a traditional Finnish winter activity, so we absolutely had to try! Never thought I could enjoy fishing so much, but ice fishing is so much fun! We enjoyed it immensely.
During the ice fishing experience you learn how to drill a hole in the thick ice and how to use the fishing equipment. While doing this make sure to enjoy the picturesque winter views of the lake as you wait for the fish to take the bait.
And guess what… I caught something! I caught this beautiful perch! I was super stoked and excited. After taking the photos we released it again.
Ice fishing is so much fun! To drill a hole, start fishing and hoping you will catch something. If it takes too long, drill a new hole and start all over again. I could literally and easily do this all day.
After the experience you will be seated at a table in their Aurora Grill kota restaurant. You will be served a delicious Arctic salmon with Lappish bread and hot blueberry juice.
Aito Hotel offers many more activities! All the well-known activities you can do in Lapland, you can of course also do at Aito! Click here for our Rovaniemi Travel Guide for Winter including a list of best things to do.
The nice thing about Aito Resort is that they have some reindeer living at the resort. From our treehouse we had views of the reindeer. You can buy food for them at the reception and you can also book activities with these reindeer to meet them up close and personal.
Aito Resort is a perfect place to see the Northern Lights. It is far away from the city and far away from all the light pollution. The location on the lake, looking north, makes it a perfect place. And of course super easy, you just have to walk to the lake and look up!
I think this travel blog shows what an amazing place Aito Resort is. Their Aurora Treehouses and their wonderful Arctic Spa Centre make this place unique and one of a kind in Rovaniemi and Lapland. Put Aito Resort on your bucket list for your dream trip to Lapland.