Small Luxury Hotels of the World ventures into the land of the midnight sun with its latest hotel – Arctic Bath. Located in Swedish Lapland this floating spa hotel invites guests to immerse themselves in elemental nature and design, and has been a proactive proponent of environmental sustainability since opening in January 2020.
Opening between 21st November 2020 and 10th April 2021 for the winter season (dates yet to be announced for summer 2021) Arctic Bath is in the village of Harads, a micro-destination for luxury travellers in an area often referred to as northern Europe’s ‘last wilderness’.
The 12-room floating hotel is inspired by the timber-floating era when felled trees were transported downriver for processing, with the striking main building representing a ‘log jam’. Arctic Bath floats during the summer and freezes into ice during the winter, and centres around a giant open-air ice bath ringed by three saunas, a spa treatment room and hot baths. Six ‘water’ cabins sleep two with overwater decks providing a perfect Northern Lights lookout. Six larger ‘land’ cabins have been built on the shore. Four provide accommodation for up to five guests while two are suites, all with glass walls also offering first-class seats for this natural phenomenon. Interiors are styled with natural materials including wood, stone and leather and showcase Swedish design brands.
Arctic Bath offers a unique hotel and spa experience that welcomes guests to immerse themselves in the elements while leaving a minimal environmental footprint behind. At Arctic Bath, the wellness offering focuses on both the inside and the outside through:
Peace of Mind – relax and restore with the renowned benefits of a traditional Swedish wellness experience including sauna, hydrotherapy and cold bath. Be mesmerized by the Northern Lights as they colour the skies between August and March or revitalized by a nighttime dip in the open-air cold bath under the midnight sun.
Care of the Face and Body – absorb the benefits of natural products from botanically-based Swedish skincare brand Kerstin Florian. These include a signature ‘Spa Ritual’, a socially distanced treatment that guests can enjoy at their own pace following detailed instructions, or a ‘Sauna Gauss’ where a spa therapist guides guests with breathing exercises through the heat of the sauna and the coldness of the ice bath.
Regular Exercise – breathe in the freshest air with activities ranging from snow shoe hiking and fat biking to wildlife photography, bear watching or a moose-calling safari led by local guide Mikael Suorra. Or just take a walk from the hotel down by the river.
Proper Nutrition – Head Chef David Staf takes his inspiration from the history and landscape of the north. He has created a dining concept for the Arctic Bath kitchen based on authentic traditional dishes reinvented for the present day. By bringing together nature and the elements he delivers a food experience that is both nourishing and exhilarating.
Erika Bandy Jakobsson, Hotel Manager at Arctic Bath, says: “Joining SLH allows us to share our natural slice of heaven, unique to the North of Sweden, with like-minded travellers, explorers and adventurers who also enjoy the finer side of life.”
Daniel Luddington, VP of Development for SLH says: “As independently minded hotels go, Arctic Bath has got to be up there with the most innovative and adventurous. They haven’t just managed to tame a piece of northern-most Europe for the luxury traveller, but from the minute guests are gifted their eco-friendly spa robe and swimsuit they become part of this untouched corner of the world. Arctic Bath shows how naturally our obligation to Stay Considerate as we travel can sit alongside a genuine luxury experience.”
Rates – Rooms start from AUD960 (6,038 SEK) per night based on two sharing a water cabin on a half board basis. Guests can choose to stay on either a full board or half board basis. Full board includes breakfast, lunch, a five course set dinner, spa access, Arctic Bath spa robe and spa bathing suit or shorts, slippers and a spa ritual kit. Half board excludes lunch.
Access – Private transfers to and from Luleå Airport, one hour and 15 minutes by car, can be arranged. Arctic Bath can also offer a variety of transfers to other destinations both by car and by helicopter depending on weather and season.
