A floating hotel and spa on the Lule River in Swedish Lapland opened its doors to guests last month. The new hotel is built by the same developers as the architecturally significant property Treehouse hotel. The new floating hotel which opened in Northern Sweden is worth a visit – for several reasons.
The floating circular main building is designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi and resembles a bird’s nest with a series of floating and land cabins around it. Situated under the northern lights in winter, and the midnight sun during the summer months, Arctic Bath welcomes guests to immerse themselves in the elements while leaving a minimal environmental footprint behind.
Dancing northern lights
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing the northern lights dance with your naked eye, it’s easy to understand why so many people flock to far-flung places in the Northern Hemisphere for a chance to watch the aurora borealis in action.
The spa includes an outdoor cold bath, set to a chilly 39 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. Travelers bold enough to jump into the frigid waters can cool off with a door directly available from the sauna or the two on-deck hot tubs. There are also hot baths, saunas, and treatment rooms, as well as a restaurant focusing on local sustainable produce.
Floating and frozen depending on season
Arctic Bath was first conceived in 2010 during the opening of Treehotel. Bertil Hagström, who designed Treehotel’s The Bird’s Nest, took over the idea and in 2013. He and Johan Kauppi designed Arctic Bath’s floating, circular building which floats freely 18 meters from the shore in the Lule river, situated downstream from the bridges of Bodträskfors, alternating between frozen and floating depending on season.
The hotel is situated a 10-minute drive away in Harads, Sweden. There are also 12 standalone cabins, six on the water and six on land. Each structure is built from local materials and has been designed to minimize its impact on the environment.
Besides the main floating building, the hotel features a series of water and land cabins, each designed with a high level of comfort and luxury in mind, while keeping with the overall wellness focus.
Related: World’s Largest Treehouse Hotel Room in Sweden
Surrounding nature incorporated into the cabins
The surrounding nature is incorporated into the cabins and suites through natural, sustainable materials with a rich history such as wood, stone, leather and luxurious textiles that harmonize together with Scandinavian design. On water, the cabins contain only 24 sqm (258 square feet) of indoor space that house a double bed, a stove for heat, and a full bath, connected to the shore by floating walkways. The 57,5 sqm (619-square-foot) wood deck outside the cabin offers a perfect place for meditation, sunbathing in summer or spotting the northern light in winter.
New Floating Hotel Opened in Northern Sweden
The 62 sqm land cabins for five persons are elevated on poles and situated on the shore among vegetation connected by walkways. The 62 sqm suite for two persons features a spiral staircase leading to a loft, as well as an 8 sqm deck for meditation, morning coffee or just relaxation.
For the decor of the cabins, designer Ann Kathrin Lundqvist channeled Scandinavian minimalism with simple forms and a muted palette of soft pastels.
All images © Arctic Bath
New Floating Hotel Opened in Northern Sweden, written by Tor Kjolberg