We Stayed In A Glass Igloo!

Lapland is an ethno-cultural region within the Northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and some parts of Russia.

Adrian and I have visited Lapland in Norway, Finland, and Sweden (but we were able to wave at the Russian part from the Finnish border!); and in this article, we are featuring the adventure-filled Swedish Lapland. 

There are two ways to get to Swedish Lapland from Stockholm, by train or by plane. Adrian and I chose to fly direct from Arlanda to Kiruna, Sweden’s northernmost city at 90 miles north of the Arctic Circle, where we set up base.

So what exactly was it like to stay in a glass igloo?

Since hearing about it from other travelers online, the experience of staying in a glass igloo while staring at the Northern Lights above us made it to the top of our bucket list. 

So, on this trip, we decided to turn it into reality and booked a riverside glass igloo at Aurora River Camp and Glass Igloo in Kiruna, crossing our fingers that we would enjoy an evening of watching the Northern Lights dance through a glass roof. 

And Adrian and I were so glad to have made this decision. 

On our first night, we were blessed with a completely clear and cloudless sky. By 9 P.M., bright green flecks started to appear above us. 

And with each passing hour, the light display became more intense. Top item on our bucket list? Check. 

Our igloo was equipped with a non-flushing toilet, a comfortable bed that faced the river, a small kitchen, a Bluetooth sound system, a mirror that converted to a table when pulled down, and a very comfortable bed. We also had WiFi and heating. 

It felt like staying in a very bijou hotel room, but without the luxury of having your own bathroom.

Staying in the glass igloo was very interesting; and like everything else, it has its own pros and cons:

PROS:

1. The views are unlike anything else. Waking up everyday to the breathtaking panoramic views of the snow-capped river and its surroundings was pure zen.
   
2. Staring at the sky as you drift off to sleep had an ethereal effect. We paired our panoramic evenings with soothing music and it was a perfect form of relaxation.
   
3. It was cozy. Our igloo had heating and a comfortable bed. Sharing a small space with someone you love felt like a great way to connect.
   
4. We slept with the curtains open, with our bed and sleeping bodies in full view of everyone that walked past (there were very few that did), and didn’t feel unsafe or intrusive at all. There was a walking trail next to our igloo but it was far enough that passersby couldn’t fully look in to see us, warts and all.
   
5. Having a small kitchen was very convenient. We were able to make coffee and heat food using the small induction stove. The sink also allowed us to do simple bathroom tasks like washing our faces and/or brushing our teeth.
   
6. Continental breakfast was included.

CONS:

1. Cozy can also translate to small with a very limited amount of space. Adrian and I traveled with rather large suitcases and there was hardly any room to open up one to access our stuff. 

There was storage under the bed but it was rather inconvenient to lift the bed the up each time you needed to get something out of your suitcase.

• Not having a shower was rather inconvenient. In order to guarantee ourselves a spot in the shared shower rooms, Adrian and I had to get up early in the morning, walk out in the cold to get to the guest house. I  didn’t mind it so much; but some of the other guests found that inconvenient.
  
• Adrian and I only used the toilet in our igloo once. Unfortunately, after a couple of days (we stayed for 4 nights), a slight funky odor started to blanket the entire igloo.  

Overall, it was an unforgettable experience. Even without having our creature comforts close by (such as a flushing toilet and shower), I enjoyed every single night in the igloo. Adrian and I thought it was a fulfilling way to decompress and reconnect with nature. And we got lucky too since out of the four nights in Kiruna, we only saw the Northern Lights once. And there was something rather rewarding about being able to witness them dancing above us as we lay in bed. It was absolutely magical.

Will we do this again? Absolutely. 

For practical information, please see below:

Aurora River Camp and Glass Igloos: www.auroraglassigloos.com

Cost of staying for 4 nights during peak winter season: $1,781.00 (as of February 2024)