Snow crunches underfoot as the Arctic air hits sharp and crisp. Atop Ollerovaara Hill, Otava Lodge rises from the white wilderness in the gathering twilight. The drive from Rovaniemi Airport takes just fifteen minutes, yet the world has been left behind entirely. Around the property stretches twenty hectares of pristine, snow-blanketed forest, and as the guide explains while helping with luggage, there are no other guests here. The entire lodge and all the wilderness surrounding it belongs entirely to us for the duration of our stay.
This is the essence of Otava Lodge: Arctic exclusivity in its purest form. No other guests checking in at reception, no strangers in the corridors, no queues for breakfast. Just one family or group, a dedicated team of staff committed to making the stay extraordinary, and the silent, snow-covered forests of Finnish Lapland spreading out in every direction.
Located just inside the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, this private lodge in Lapland is the creation of Arctra DMC, a company specializing in bespoke Nordic experiences. The lodge opened its doors with a clear vision: to offer discerning travelers an entirely private wilderness retreat where every element, from food to physical activities could be tailored specifically to their preferences.
The architecture blends seamlessly with its surroundings. Large windows framing views of the forest and sky, while the interior exudes contemporary Nordic elegance with natural materials, clean lines, and thoughtful touches that honor the Lappish landscape.
The accommodation comprises five suites, each named after a constellation visible in the Arctic sky. The design throughout is understated yet luxurious.
"We wanted to create something truly special - a place where even the most demanding travelers could experience the Arctic wilderness without compromising on luxury or privacy. Every stay at Otava Lodge is different because we design it around our guests' wishes. Some come for adventure, others for complete relaxation. We make both happen." – Jenna Koskela, Head of Sales, Arctra DMC
We meet Jenna Koskela, Arctra’s Head of Sales. She's been with Arctra DMC, the luxury travel agency behind the lodge, since the early days and has watched it evolve into one of Lapland's most exclusive retreats.
"What makes us unique is the complete privacy. When guests arrive, this becomes their home,” She explains, gesturing towards the endless forest beyond the windows.
“Your private chef crafts menus based on your preferences. We, of course, highly recommend embracing the traditional Nordic cuisine - it’s truly part of the experience here, featuring exceptional local ingredients that are wonderfully fresh and unique to the region. Of course, we accommodate all requests, from dietary requirements to ensuring the little ones have their favourites on the menu, as well.”
She's not exaggerating about the dining. Each evening, the intimate dining room becomes the setting for menus that showcase the exceptional ingredients of Finnish Lapland. The cuisine celebrates what makes this region remarkable: wild game like reindeer and elk, fresh Arctic fish, and berries such as cloudberries and lingonberries that grow in the surrounding forests. Everything is thoughtfully prepared, with an emphasis on local sourcing and seasonal availability. The result is food that tastes distinctly of this place - clean, pure flavours that reflect the pristine wilderness beyond the windows.
For international guests, it's an experience that's delightfully different and refreshingly unique, offering tastes and combinations rarely encountered elsewhere.
The days at Otava Lodge are filled with adventure and exploration. Equipped with proper thermal gear, the Arctic cold becomes manageable, even enjoyable - allowing guests to fully embrace the winter wonderland that surrounds them. For many international visitors, the sheer abundance of snow itself is a novelty, transforming the landscape into something magical.
The activities are diverse: exhilarating snowmobile safaris across frozen lakes, husky sledding through silent forests, visits to reindeer farms, peaceful snowshoe treks, or even a trip to meet Santa Claus in his official hometown. Many excursions include traditional Lappish lunches prepared over open fires in wilderness huts - simple, warming meals that taste all the better for the spectacular surroundings. Every experience is guided by professionals who know these forests intimately, ensuring both safety and authenticity.
Back at the lodge, the most Finnish of traditions awaits: the sauna. Otava Lodge's sauna and spa area is spacious and beautifully designed. The experience alternates between the intense heat of the sauna and relaxing in the outdoor hot tub. Feeling the cold kiss your hair and face while your body sinks into the perfectly warm, bubbling water.
There's something magical about this contrast: the steam rising around you, the crisp Arctic air on your skin, your gaze drifting north across the pristine landscape. On clear nights, the stars appear impossibly bright overhead, and if fortune smiles, the Northern Lights might begin their silent dance across the sky while you soak. The main suite takes this experience even further with its private balcony hot tub - an intimate sanctuary where the wilderness feels entirely yours. These are the moments that define a stay at Otava Lodge.
"This is truly the best time to visit," Jenna explains with evident enthusiasm. "Winter in Lapland offers experiences you simply cannot find anywhere else in the world. And when the aurora forecast is good - well, that's when the magic really happens. The Northern Lights are something special even for us Finns. I never tire of seeing them, and watching our guests experience them for the first time is always incredible."
She's right about the auroras. On clear nights, the Aurora Lounge - with its glass walls offering unobstructed views - becomes the perfect vantage point. Blankets and hot chocolate appear thoughtfully, and then nature delivers its performance.
As departure day arrives, there's time to reflect on what makes this experience so remarkable. Yes, the lodge itself is beautiful, the food exceptional, and the activities thrilling. But it's the privacy - the sense of having claimed this corner of the Arctic entirely - that truly sets Otava Lodge apart. There's something profound about experiencing wilderness without crowds, about having the Northern Lights, the husky rides, the silent forests all to oneself.
"We hope to create experiences that guests will want to relive," Jenna says warmly. "Whether they bring their families, their friends, or come back alone for a quiet retreat - we want each stay to be memorable enough that they're already planning their return. And because we tailor everything to their wishes, we can create something completely different each time." As the short drive back to Rovaniemi Airport beckons, it's easy to understand the appeal. The thought of returning feels natural.
In an age where true luxury often means exclusivity, Otava Lodge has perfected the formula. Just fifteen minutes from an international airport, yet worlds away from everything. Twenty hectares of Arctic wilderness, reserved for one party alone. A team dedicated to making each stay perfect, whether guests are seeking adventure or tranquillity. And above it all, the possibility of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky, a private performance in a secluded corner of Lapland.
Contact: Website: otavalodge.com Instagram: @arctra.fi
