Scandi House Rovaniemi – a riverfront home at the Arctic Circle

A disclosure before we begin, I haven’t personally stayed at Scandi House Rovaniemi – but after interviewing its host, Olympic champion and five-time Winter Olympian Lydia Lassila and reading through every detail of the property, I’m recommending it with confidence as one of the most thoughtfully designed large-group accommodation options in Rovaniemi. You can watch the Lapland Lowdown interview here for free!

This is a property created by someone who actually lives in Finnish Lapland, understands what international visitors need and has built her rental around the kind of warmth, functionality and Nordic character that makes a Lapland stay genuinely memorable. Here’s everything you need to know.

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About the host – Lydia Lassila, OAM

Lydia Lassila is a five-time Winter Olympian, the first woman in history to land a quad twisting triple somersault, and – since 2020 – a resident of Levi, Finnish Lapland. She and her Finnish husband moved their family north during COVID-19 for what was meant to be a six-month adventure. Six years on, they’re still there, their children are in Finnish school and Lydia has built two Lapland rental properties under the Scandi Houses brand.

When I interviewed Lydia for the Lapland Lowdown, what came through clearly was her genuine love for the region and her practical, first-hand knowledge of what makes a Finnish Lapland trip work. This isn’t a property developer; it’s an Australian woman living the Lapland life and sharing it with the rest of us.

The property – what Scandi House Rovaniemi offers

Scandi House Rovaniemi is a spacious four-bedroom home sitting in a peaceful riverside setting, sleeping up to eight guests. It’s designed for families and groups who want the full self-contained Lapland experience – comfort, character and the practical infrastructure to make an extended stay genuinely easy.

Rooms and layout

Four generously sized bedrooms, each thoughtfully designed with ample storage, linen and towels provided. Five beds, two modern bathrooms and a private sauna for post-adventure relaxation. The home also has a large laundry, a dedicated gym and yoga area and beautiful Scandi-style interiors that feel instantly homely rather than corporate-rental generic.

Kitchen and living

A fully equipped kitchen – fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, coffee machines (both pod and filter) and everything needed for cooking from scratch. This matters enormously for families on a budget in Finnish Lapland, where restaurant meals for a group add up quickly. The open-plan living area includes a fireplace and the high ceilings give the space an airiness that photos genuinely don’t fully capture.

Aurora viewing and outdoor space

The private backyard is positioned for Northern Lights viewing – a thoughtful design choice that means you don’t have to drive anywhere on a clear night. For families and groups, being able to watch the aurora from your own outdoor space in Finnish Lapland is exactly the kind of experience that makes a trip unforgettable. Complimentary sledges are available for the kids to use.

Location – riverfront and close to everything

Scandi House Rovaniemi sits in a quiet family neighbourhood on the riverside. The distances to key Rovaniemi destinations:

• City centre: 5 minutes
• Rovaniemi Airport: 5 minutes
• Arktikum Museum: 6 minutes
• Ounasvaara Hill (skiing and hiking): 7 minutes
• Santa Claus Village: 10 minutes

There’s parking onsite for two cars, plus a bus stop close by for those without a vehicle. Local dining options Lydia recommends include Roka Kitchen & Wine Bar, Restaurant Nili, Café & Bar 21 and Sky Ounasvaara Restaurant – all within easy reach.

Lydia’s own advice on timing – if you can travel in January rather than December, you’ll find a quieter, more affordable and more authentically wintry Rovaniemi. December is magical, but it’s also busy and expensive. January is the sweet spot for long haul travellers and particularly Southern Hemisphere travellers whose school holiday calendar aligns with the Northern Lights season.

What makes Scandi House Rovaniemi different

What sets this property apart from standard Rovaniemi vacation rentals is the combination of genuine Nordic character and a host who has first-hand knowledge of Finnish Lapland living. The interiors reflect the region – warm, considered and unpretentious. The practical details (fully stocked kitchen, large laundry, gym, aurora-ready backyard) reflect someone who has thought carefully about what a family or group actually needs for a week in the Arctic.

It is also worth noting the property structure – the building is divided into two separate residences (A and B), and guests have exclusive access to Residence A, with its own private entrance, parking and amenities. Full privacy, not a shared space.

Who is Scandi House Rovaniemi best for?

• Families of 4-8 wanting spacious, self-contained Lapland accommodation
• Groups of friends or extended families sharing costs across bedrooms
• Visitors wanting a genuine Nordic home atmosphere rather than hotel or resort
• Long-haul travellers planning 5-7 night stays in Rovaniemi
• Anyone wanting aurora viewing from the privacy of their own outdoor space
• Those wanting easy access to both Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi city centre without the resort price tag

How to book and Scandi House discount

Book directly at scandihouses.com and use the exclusive discount code LAPLANDFROMAUS for a discount on your stay. This code works across all Scandi Houses properties – including Scandi House Levi and Scandi House Lorne on Victoria’s surf coast.

For the full Lydia Lassila interview – including her insider guide to Levi vs Rovaniemi, the best local tours, where to eat like a local and her honest month-by-month guide to when to visit, find it here on the Lapland Lowdown landing page.

Not sure where to start planning your Finnish Lapland trip from Australia? Download my free guide covering the 10 most common mistakes long-haul Lapland travellers make before they even book their flights. Download the free guide.

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