The old Karasjok Inn was built in 1946 and is typical of the inns the Norwegian government (Staten) built during the reconstruction period in Finnmark. It is a well proportioned wooden building, painted red and has white mouldings. Through its divided and lightly bracketed form, it is well situated in the landscape. This location in the terrain was directive for later expansion in the surrounding area - this applies to both the hotel and the Sámiland Centre.

The Karasjok Inn was designed by the architecture firm F.S. Platau. This firm designed all of the reconstructed inns in Finnmark, which were built in 1946.