Genelec Smart IP Elevates the Dining Experience at Lapland’s Glass Resort
Luxury in Lapland
Each year, thousands of people travel north to Finland’s most enchanting region, Lapland. Its commercial capital, Rovaniemi, is a snow-covered wonderland where visitors come from across the world to marvel at the Arctic’s natural beauty, witness the mesmerising Northern Lights, and even catch a glimpse of Father Christmas. Santa Claus’s Village is one of Lapland’s most spectacular destinations, welcoming over 700,000 tourists every year. In the heart of the village lies a luxury retreat — the Glass Resort. The family-run boutique hotel offers guests an intimate haven where they can be fully immersed in the natural landscape. While serenity is at the heart of the Glass Resort, owner Minna Pennanen understands the importance of high-quality audio to enrich guest experience. That’s why Genelec loudspeakers were chosen to elevate the resort’s signature dining destination, Restaurant Gallis — a gastronomic fusion of classic French cuisine and Nordic ingredients.
Perfecting Guest Experiences
As Rovaniemi locals, AV solution and installation specialists, Arctic Connect Oy, were tasked with planning and installing a new sound system that would resolve the restaurant’s existing issues. “The owners of wwGlass Resort were aware of our work in the Rovaniemi area,” says Arctic Connect Oy CEO, Toni Kurvinen. “Our team covers the full scope of operations, from system planning to integration and mixing, so they could rely on us throughout the process — making collaboration smooth and straightforward.”
A sound system was already in place in the breakfast and main restaurant areas, but it was failing to meet the high 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.” Aiming to establish itself as a premier destination for Lapland visitors, an audio upgrade was the essential next step in maximising customer satisfaction.
This seamless coverage ensures guests are free to focus on the flavours, conversations, and atmosphere rather than the technology behind it.
Audio and Aesthetic Harmony
The new system required crystal-clear audio with uniform coverage throughout the dining areas while being discreet and compact enough to remain unobtrusive. “We’re certified Dante professionals and our sales company — Arcturia Oy — is a Genelec partner,” continues Kurvinen. “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. “A total of ten Genelec 4410 Smart IP loudspeakers were installed,” he describes. “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 sleek modern architecture with the untamed beauty of the snowy wilderness outside. Black, wood-paneled walls form a pointed dome, whilst 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 audio experience. “The six loudspeakers in the main restaurant were mixed in surround sound, creating an immersive soundscape evenly distributed across the room. This seamless coverage ensures guests are free to focus on the flavours, conversations, and atmosphere rather than the technology behind it.”
The talented audio professionals of Arctic Connect mixed the audio for the restaurant, elevating the dining experience by filling the space with gentle music to complement the luxurious and cozy setting. With the help of Genelec’s Smart IP Manager, the Arctic Connect team found the entire integration process straightforward. “Smart IP Manager made configuration a quick and painless process,” admits Kurvinen. “Identifying and naming each loudspeaker was a breeze and it allowed us to easily allocate zones. The software was hugely beneficial for setting up individual loudspeaker volume levels and stereo pairs.
“We installed several PoE+ switches for networking and control, along with one main high-capacity unit, all connected to a professional-grade Wi-Fi router,” Kurvinen continues. The system was divided into three zones, giving Glass Resort staff the freedom to adjust volume levels or mute specific areas instantly, without having to search for a dedicated mixer. “It’s imperative that staff remain front of house and available to guests, so the system has to be right at their fingertips.” To achieve this, control is now handled seamlessly via the same tablet staff already use in the restaurant every day, making the transition to the Genelec Smart IP solution both simple and intuitive. “The restaurant’s playback system is now integrated via Dante with the Genelec setup, and the infrastructure is already future-proofed for Bluetooth connectivity when needed.”
The compact size of the 4410 loudspeakers make them a perfect fit for high-end venues such as Restaurant Gallis.
A Feast for the Senses
“When the new system debuted, everyone was beyond impressed,” says Kurvinen. “The compact size of the 4410 loudspeakers makes them a perfect fit for high-end venues such as Restaurant Gallis. The power that comes from such a small loudspeaker surprised us all. They deliver a stable, 360 audio experience throughout the dome of the restaurant, and provide impeccable coverage tailored to each zone.”
Thanks to the clarity and coverage delivered by Smart IP loudspeakers — and the expertise of the Arctic Connect team — visitors to Glass Resort are now welcomed into an atmosphere where flawless audio matches the refinement of the cuisine. “Minna Pennanen and the Glass Resort team understand the importance of audio technology and finding the right professional partner to curate immersive, luxury experiences,” notes Kurvinen. The result is a dining journey where cuisine, sound, and Lapland’s breathtaking natural beauty come together, securing Restaurant Gallis’ status as one of Lapland’s most captivating and enchanting destinations.
The Details
Client
Glass Resort
Audio Design
Arctic Connect Oy
Integrator
Arctic Connect Oy
Genelec Distributor
Arcturia Oy / Arctic Connect Oy
Loudspeakers
10 x 4410A
Network & Control
Dante Controller
