Welcoming more than 700,000 tourists each year, Lapland’s commercial capital, Rovaniemi, is a snow-covered wonderland where visitors come from across the world to witness the Northern Lights and the Arctic’s natural beauty. For its part, the Glass Resort luxury retreat has welcomed a new sound system to would solve existing acoustic issues.
While serenity is at the heart of the Glass Resort, owner Minna Pennanen understands how high-quality audio can enrich guest experience and called on local Rovaniemi A/V specialist Arctic Connect to handle planning and installation of the system in the resort’s signature dining destination, Restaurant Gallis.
‘The owners of Glass Resort were aware of our work in the Rovaniemi area,’ says Arctic Connect CEO, Toni Kurvinen. ‘Our team covers the full scope of operations, from system planning to integration and mixing, making the collaboration straightforward.’
A sound system was already in place in the breakfast and main restaurant areas, but it was failing to meet the expectations of the luxury resort. ‘The audio quality caused a lot of complications for staff and resulted in a less than perfect dining experience,’ Kurvinen explains.
‘It was obvious to customers where the sound was coming from as the loudspeakers were in full view, with one side of the breakfast room often being far too loud while the other was barely audible. Every time the staff needed to adjust the volume, they were forced to leave guests unattended in the restaurant, repeatedly returning to the mixer.’
The new system required clear audio and uniform coverage throughout the dining areas, while being discreet and compact enough to be unobtrusive. ‘Our sales company – Arcturia – is a Genelec partner,’ Kurvinen says. ‘A Dante network was already in place in the restaurant, so we knew a Genelec Smart IP system was the perfect fit for this project.’
Three zones make up Restaurant Gallis – the main downstairs area, the upper floor, and the breakfast room. ‘Ten Genelec 4410 Smart IP loudspeakers were installed,’ Kurvinen says. ‘For the breakfast room and upstairs balcony, two loudspeakers were installed in each area, while the main restaurant featured six 4410s mounted to the angled walls, all the standard black colour to blend in with the interior decoration.’
Aesthetic design is central to the resort’s sense of luxury, harmonising modern architecture and the untamed wilderness outside. Black wood-panelled walls form a pointed dome, whils a vast floor-to-ceiling window offers views over the enchanting landscape. This dynamic dome shape creates not only a stunning setting but also an immersive experience.
‘The six loudspeakers in the main restaurant create an immersive soundscape evenly distributed across the room. This seamless coverage ensures guests are free to focus on flavours, conversations and atmosphere, rather than the technology behind it.’
The system was divided into three zones, giving Glass Resort staff the freedom to adjust levels or mute specific areas instantly. ‘It’s imperative that staff remain front of house and available to guests, so the system has to be right at their fingertips,’ Kurvinen says.
‘When the new system debuted, everyone was beyond impressed,’ he reports. ‘The compact size of the 4410 loudspeakers makes them a perfect fit for high-end venues such as Restaurant Gallis. They deliver a stable, 360 audio experience throughout the dome of the restaurant, and provide impeccable coverage tailored to each zone.
‘Minna Pennanen and the Glass Resort team understand the importance of audio technology – and finding the right professional partner to curate immersive, luxury experiences,’ Kurvinen notes.