Sweden Lodges
Sleep beneath the Northern Lights in the Arctic’s most extraordinary stays
Arctic luxury stays | Octola Lodge
Under skies alive with the Northern Lights, these extraordinary Arctic retreats – from glass igloos to remote design lodges – show why Norway, Sweden and Finland define winter luxury
From Norway’s dramatic fjords to Finland’s vast tundras and Sweden’s snowy forests, the region above the Arctic Circle offers some of the world’s most unique stays. Whether you dream of gazing at the Northern Lights from a glass igloo, soaking in the wild serenity of a luxury lodge, or cosying up in a rustic chalet, these handpicked retreats offer the perfect blend of adventure and indulgence. Here’s where to experience the Arctic wilderness in style in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
Finland
Nordic minimalism meets wilderness at a secret retreat
Seclusion is guaranteed at Octola’s luxurious eco-lodge right on the Arctic Circle, less than half an hour from Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus. Octola permits photographing, while geotagging is strictly forbidden – you won’t find Octola pinned on Google Maps. Surrounded by more than 300 hectares of pristine forests and wilderness, there’s a deep appreciation of nature here: the lodge runs on renewable energy from wind-generated electricity and geothermal heating, and the property recently became the first destination globally to monitor ultrafine air particles using research-grade technology. Installed on its private estate, this advanced system offers guests a rare, measurable insight into the purity of Arctic air, long considered among the cleanest on Earth.
But Octola’s allure extends beyond its eco-credentials. Designed with Nordic elegance – think dark-wood cladding, slate bathrooms, sweeping wall-to-wall windows – the interiors let nature take centre stage. Guests can indulge in the full Finnish wellness ritual from sauna, spa treatments and hot tubs to taking a roll in the snow. Or step outside for adventures ranging from remote-lake fishing to evenings listening to traditional Sami songs beneath the Northern Lights.
With just 14 guests at the lodge – and a secluded villa for two offering private sauna and jacuzzis – Octola delivers luxury defined by silence, space, and the rare privilege of a true wilderness escape.
Aurora cabins amid Arctic taiga forest
Located approximately 260 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, a stay at the Muotka Wilderness Hotel comes with a magical, snowy setting and a high chance of spotting the Northern Lights. The hotel sits near two Wilderness Areas, Hammastunturi and Tsarmitunturi, and right on the doorstep of Urho Kekkonen National Park, which gives access to marked outdoor trails year-round.
At Muotka Wilderness Hotel, every experience feels curated: husky sleigh rides through snowy forests, snowmobile safaris under starry skies, or Northern Lights excursions by snowshoe. For those who want to see the celestial light show comfortably from indoors, the Muotka’s Aurora Cabins provide front-row seats. The glass igloos feature laser-heated roofs to keep the view of the night sky clear, and some come with private saunas. Alternatively, the Panorama Log Cabins blend rustic charm with modern luxury, their expansive windows framing Lapland’s vast horizons.
Sweden
Make an entrance – with a dog sleigh
For those drawn to the romance of the Arctic, few arrivals are as memorable as gliding across frozen landscapes on a dog-drawn sleigh. At Fjellborg Arctic Lodge in Swedish Lapland, guests can either take the reins themselves or settle back comfortably in the sleigh as the dogs lead the way to the lakeside retreat. It’s the only way to reach this remote setting.
Set on the shores of Lake Väkkärä, accommodation is in the exclusive Master Cabin, a traditional log home with reindeer hides and wood-burning fireplaces. The cabin and its private sauna with lakeside view give the guests a glimpse of Arctic living.
With a heritage of nine generations rooted in the region, the Fjellborg family curates fitting adventures for all visitors, from ice-hole fishing to carving ice with expert sculptors and venturing into the wilderness in search of the Northern Lights. Alternatively, you can enjoy the nighttime show from your private hot tub.
Frozen artistry and warm Nordic hospitality
The Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, near Kiruna, transforms a stay in the Arctic into an art form, inviting guests to sleep within walls of sculpted ice and snow. Founded in 1989, the hotel is rebuilt each winter with newly carved suites and installations, making every season’s stay unique. Walls, beds, the bar, and even its glasses are hewn from crystal-clear blocks of ice, glowing ethereally as the lights touch the frozen surfaces.
Despite the frosty setting, comfort is guaranteed. Guests sleep snugly in expedition-style sleeping bags on reindeer hides, ensuring warmth throughout the night, even in the -5°C setting. The Icehotel also offers a selection of warm rooms for those who prefer traditional luxury alongside their icy adventure.
By day, activities abound – from snowmobiling and rafting on the Torne river – while by night, the Northern Lights may light up the sky, adding another layer of magic to this once-in-a-lifetime stay.
Historic grit and heli-skiing glamour
Once a railway roundhouse for steam trains on the historic Malmbanan, or Iron Ore Line, the site was reimagined in 2018 as Niehku Mountain Villa – a striking retreat and heli-skiing base. The Swedish–Norwegian border lies less than 100 metres away, and from the skiing centre Riksgränsen, which is one kilometre away, it is possible to ski into Norway and return to Sweden via an off-piste trail.
Architects Krook & Tjäder, alongside interior studio Stylt Trampoli, ensured that the new design echoed the oily industrial heritage of the old roundhouse. Original features have been preserved with imagination: the former engine pit is now a wine cellar, visible beneath a Perspex floor in the dining room. This bold reinvention earned Niehku the UNESCO Prix Versailles for the world’s best hotel interior in 2019.
The grey timber-clad rooms and ultra-comfortable Hästens beds are a sanctuary of comfort. Fittingly, Niehku means “dream” in the Sami language – a dream made true for skiers, gastronomes, and design enthusiasts alike.
Norway
An island escape shaped by light and nature
Just north of the Arctic Circle, on a tiny island between sea and mountains, Manshausen’s Arctic Sea Cabins combine modern design and natural beauty. The island lies only 500 metres from the Norwegian mainland, yet feels worlds away. Here, seven award-winning glass-fronted cabins – alongside two striking towers – sit lightly above sea level. The island’s main house has a library, bar, and a restaurant serving locally sourced food. Guests can also relax in a seaside sauna and take a refreshing dip in the natural seawater pool.
Yet the real stars are the Sea Cabins. Practical and pared back, every detail is designed for versatility – drawers double as benches, shelves transform into tables – while expansive glass walls dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. The result is elegant minimalism that frames the vast scape of sea and mountains: this is the ultimate luxury that Manshausen’s Arctic Sea Cabins offers.
Hygge and slow luxury at 69.9 degrees latitude
Family-owned Lyngen Lodge, perched at 69.9 degrees latitude – roughly 500 kilometres above the Arctic Circle – is a haven of slow luxury for outdoor enthusiasts, and just a 2.5-hour drive from Tromsø.
The lodge’s grass-roofed main building juts gently from a cliff, with all eight rooms offering panoramic views of the Lyngen Fjord. Constructed from sturdy pine logs and styled in soft, pastel hues, the interiors exude the world-renowned ethos of hygge: a homey warmth that invites cosying up after a day of Arctic adventures. Here, that can mean anything from orca-watching and glacier tours to mountain biking and hiking. In the communal area, or stua, guests can curl up with a glass of wine and a good book by the fireplace. With the striking backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the Lyngen Fjord, the lodge is also a perfect platform to watch the Northern Lights in the winter months.
Sami-inspired design in an Arctic archipelago
The Arctic Hideaway cabins sit coolly on the edge of a tiny island in the Fleinvær Archipelago, deep in the Arctic Circle. And thanks to its position, guests visiting from around September to April will have a good chance of spotting the Northern Lights dancing over the archipelago.
Although all cabins – designed by TYIN alongside Rintala Eggertson architecture – are an impressive sight, the most striking feature here is the modern interpretation of the Sami people’s traditional storehouse, the njalla. Sitting atop a pillar, the building offers sweeping views of the site and the surrounding sea.
The island also hosts a kitchen cabin, a wood-fired sauna cabin, and a bathhouse. There are no restaurants, cars, shops, or guided activities – just sea and serenity. It is recommended to stay for a week to allow the surroundings and setting to do the trick, but shorter stays – as well as catering – can be arranged.
Good to know
SEASON
September–April for winter adventures and Northern Lights; summer offers hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching, while autumn foliage renders the landscape into shades of red, yellow, and orange.
ACCESS
Remote locations may require flights to airports, for example, in Rovaniemi, Kiruna, or Tromsø, plus transfers by car, snowmobile, boat, or a dog sleigh.
RATES
Expect premium pricing, from around €380–€800 per night, with larger cabins or villas starting from €1,500. Packages often include activities and meals.
Tip: Book early – Arctic stays fill up fast, especially during peak Northern Lights season from December to March.
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