Perched on the fell top of Kaunispää in Finnish Lapland, the Star Arctic Hotel delivers a stay defined by panoramic Arctic views and profound silence. This guide draws on guest reviews from TripAdvisor, the property’s official website, and booking platforms to help you decide whether this family-owned hotel fits your Lapland itinerary — covering room features, on-site activities, a side-by-side comparison with Rovaniemi, and step-by-step travel routes from Helsinki and other hubs. TripAdvisor rates it 4.1 out of 5.

Last checked: 2026-10-03

Property Type: Family-owned hotel · Location: Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland · Key Feature: Panoramic Arctic views from all rooms · TripAdvisor Rating: 4.1 / 5

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-10-03.

Sources reviewed: Official property website (stararctichotel.com), TripAdvisor reviews, MagicBreaks booking listing, laura.fi job listing site, Finavia airport schedules, and the Visit Finland tourism portal.

1Property Type
  • 4.1 / 5 (based on multiple-year reviews) (TripAdvisor)

TripAdvisor reviews frequently mention the remote location as a highlight.

The bottom line: The combination of fell-top positioning, small capacity, and family ownership creates a genuinely secluded Arctic experience that larger Lapland resorts cannot replicate.

According to the property’s activities page, these excursions are led by local guides and operate from September through April.

MagicBreaks lists snowmobile safaris and reindeer sledding among the most-booked add-ons (MagicBreaks).

The official Saariselkä tourism site lists gold-panning excursions in Tankavaara and mountain biking on marked singletracks.

TripAdvisor shows that location receives the highest praise (average 4.7/5).

Guest Highlights: Location, Food, Silence

MagicBreaks user reviews echo the same pattern: the room’s panoramic window and the surrounding forest.

Saariselkā’s inventory is smaller, with the Star Arctic Hotel standing out for its fell-top location. The laura.fi job posting confirms the hotel’s owner-operated model, which contrasts with the corporate management of most.

Below are the main routes, all documented by Finavia and regional bus operators.

The official Star Arctic Hotel location page recommends arranging a transfer in advance.

A daily bus operated by Eskelisen connects Levi and Saariselkä during ski season.

schedules are available on the Visit Finland transport portal.

How to Travel from Saariselkä to Helsinki

This itinerary focuses on the activities mentioned most frequently in guest reviews on TripAdvisor.

    Why this matters: This itinerary balances the hotel’s strengths — remote location and guided activities — with a practical connection to Rovaniemi, making the most of the 250 km distance.

    Interactive map of Saariselkä, Finnish Lapland, showing Star Arctic Hotel on Kaunispää Fell, Ivalo Airport, Rovaniemi, and main roads.

    MagicBreaks and TripAdvisor Star Arctic Hotel delivers the best views-to-price ratio for couples and aurora chasers.

    The hotel’s official website offers direct booking, often with free cancellation.

    The Visit Finland guide lists it among the top Nordic aurora destinations.

    What is the best place to stay in Lapland?

    For seclusion and fell-top views, the Star Arctic Hotel is a leading choice. The TripAdvisor ranking can help filter by traveller type.

    How far is it from Helsinki to Saariselkä?

    Check Finavia for current schedules.

    How do I travel from Saariselkä to Helsinki?

    book via VR.

    • Star Arctic Hotel – Official Website
    • TripAdvisor – Star Arctic Hotel Reviews
    • MagicBreaks – Star Arctic Hotel Listing
    • laura.fi – Job posting confirming family ownership
    • Finavia – Ivalo Airport
    • Visit Finland – Saariselkä travel guide
    • Saariselkä Tourism – Activities &
    • VR – Finnish Railways (train schedules)