glass igloo vs cabin: which is better for your lapland holiday?

But are they really the best way to experience Lapland?

After spending years designing Arctic journeys and building Sixty Eight North in the forests outside Levi, we've learned that the answer isn't as straightforward as many people think.

Both glass igloos and luxury cabins offer unforgettable experiences. The right choice simply depends on the kind of holiday you're hoping to have.

In this guide, we'll help you understand the differences, the advantages of each, and why many travellers ultimately choose the comfort, privacy and authenticity of a forest cabin.

why glass igloos became so popular

There's no denying it.

Glass igloos are iconic.

The idea of watching snow fall above you or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights without leaving your bed has inspired travellers from around the world.

For many people, spending one night in a glass igloo is a bucket-list experience.

And when conditions are perfect, it can be truly magical.

But social media often tells only part of the story.

The reality of a Lapland holiday is that you'll spend far more time enjoying the destination than lying in bed looking at the ceiling.

That's why it's worth thinking beyond the photographs.

the biggest misconception about glass igloos

One of the most common questions we're asked is:

"Do I need a glass igloo to see the Northern Lights?"

The answer is simple.

No.

The Northern Lights don't appear because you're staying beneath glass.

They appear because of solar activity, darkness and clear skies.

Whether you're staying in a glass igloo, a hotel or a forest cabin, you'll usually end up stepping outside to experience the aurora properly.

The colours appear brighter, the sky feels bigger and there's simply nothing quite like standing beneath the Arctic sky surrounded by silence.

The accommodation doesn't create the Northern Lights.

It simply changes how you experience them.

space matters more than you think

One thing many travellers don't realise until they arrive is how much time they actually spend in their accommodation.

Lapland holidays aren't just about sleeping.

After a day of snowmobiling, snowshoeing, visiting reindeer or relaxing in a sauna, you'll want somewhere comfortable to unwind.

Luxury cabins generally offer:

• More room to relax
• Private terraces
• Fully equipped kitchens
• Space for families
• Greater privacy

For couples, that extra space creates a slower, more relaxing experience.

For families, it's often essential.

privacy creates a different kind of luxury

Luxury means different things to different people.

For some, it's a designer suite.

For others, it's complete silence.

When we designed Sixty Eight North, we didn't want guests to feel like they were staying in another hotel.

We wanted them to feel like they had escaped into their own private corner of Finnish Lapland.

Our cabins are surrounded by a private 78-hectare forest, where mornings begin with snow-covered trees outside your window and evenings end beneath a sky full of stars.

Instead of neighbouring rooms, you'll hear the wind moving gently through the pines.

Instead of crowds, you'll find space.

For many of our guests, that's the luxury they remember most.

which offers the better northern lights experience?

This may surprise you.

A glass roof doesn't automatically mean a better aurora experience.

In fact, many experienced Arctic travellers prefer staying in cabins.

Why?

Because when the Northern Lights appear, most people naturally go outside.

Standing beneath the open sky gives you a wider view of the aurora, allows you to photograph it more easily and creates a much more immersive experience.

Location matters far more than the type of roof above your bed.

Accommodation surrounded by nature, away from unnecessary light pollution, often provides darker skies and a more peaceful environment for enjoying the Northern Lights.

comfort throughout your stay

Most visitors stay in Lapland for three to five nights.

During that time, your accommodation becomes part of your holiday, not just somewhere to sleep.

Think about what you'll enjoy every day:

• Reading beside the fire.
• Sharing breakfast together.
• Warming up after a snowy adventure.
• Relaxing in your own sauna.
• Watching the forest through floor-to-ceiling windows.
• Sitting in an outdoor hot tub beneath a star-filled sky.

Those moments often become the memories guests talk about long after they return home.

why we chose to build cabins instead of glass igloos

When creating Sixty Eight North, we spent years imagining the experience we wanted every guest to have.

We asked ourselves a simple question.

"If this were our own holiday, where would we want to stay?"

The answer was never a room built around a photograph.

It was a place where people could truly slow down.

A place with space to breathe.

A place surrounded by forest rather than parking areas.

A place where families could spend time together, couples could reconnect and every window looked out onto nature.

That's why we built Scandinavian-inspired cabins with large panoramic windows instead of glass roofs.

We wanted the landscape to be part of the experience all day—not only when looking up at night.

so, which one should you choose?

There's no wrong answer.

If spending a night beneath a glass roof has always been on your bucket list, it's an experience you'll probably enjoy.

But if you're looking for a longer stay where comfort, privacy, nature and authentic Arctic surroundings matter just as much as the Northern Lights, a luxury forest cabin offers a completely different experience.

Many travellers arrive in Lapland expecting to fall in love with the aurora.

Instead, they fall in love with something else.

The silence.

The forests.

The fresh Arctic air.

The feeling of slowing down.

The Northern Lights may be the reason you come to Lapland.

But they're rarely the only reason you'll want to return.

why many guests choose sixty eight north

At Sixty Eight North, we believe the best Lapland holidays aren't measured by how many attractions you tick off a list.

They're measured by how a place makes you feel.

Located in a private forest just 15 minutes from Levi Village, our luxury cabins were designed for travellers seeking something quieter, more personal and more connected to nature.

Here you'll find Scandinavian design, private saunas, outdoor hot tubs, floor-to-ceiling forest views and complete privacy—all while remaining close to Levi's world-class winter activities.

We can't promise the Northern Lights.

No one can.

What we can promise is one of the most peaceful places to experience everything else that makes Lapland unforgettable.

frequently asked questions

are cabins better than glass igloos?

It depends on the experience you're looking for. Glass igloos offer a unique one-night experience, while luxury cabins typically provide more space, privacy and comfort for longer stays.

can you see the northern lights from our forest cabin at sixty eight north?

Yes. Cabins in dark, natural surroundings often provide excellent opportunities to view the Northern Lights on clear nights from bed through skylight windows. Many guests simply step outside when the aurora appears.

is a glass igloo worth it?

For many travellers, yes, especially if it's been a lifelong dream. However, it's worth considering whether the novelty of a glass roof outweighs the additional space, privacy and amenities that a luxury cabin can provide.

why did sixty eight north build cabins instead of glass igloos?

We wanted to create a place that reflects the Lapland we know and love: peaceful forests, Scandinavian design, privacy and a genuine connection with nature. For us, luxury isn't just about where you sleep, it's about how you experience every moment of your stay.

see the cabins for yourself