66°05'15.745"N 20°57'9.15"E Arctic Bath Hotel, Sweden

Visually arresting, appearing like a Swedish village gathering on the shore, Arctic Bath’s inspiring design draws on the region’s rich heritage, blending traditional timber, wood, stone and leather with contemporary hotel trimmings. A nest-like, circular spa building surrounds a river-swimming pool and is capped with a crown of pine logs.

In this beautifully remote landscape, comfort is key, and interiors tap into the Scandinavian skill of creating warm and welcoming spaces: natural textures, wood-panelled walls and thick woollen throws are the signature design notes. Luxury accommodations are connected by wooden walkways, and nature is cordially invited in through floor-to-ceiling windows.

A gourmet restaurant focusing on the freshest seasonally available fare caps every day of your stay with an Arctic-themed feast, nourishing body and mind with its clever use of every scrap of food. 

Hotel rooms Six floating Water Cabins skim the lake’s surface, shifting with the ice melt in tune with ancient glaciers. These romantic double rooms have a private deck, panoramic river views and ensuite shower room. If you prefer, nest among the birch trees in one of three split-level Land Suites, with a kingsize double in the loft and a living room on the ground floor. There are also three family-friendly Land Cabins sleeping up to five, with a kingsize double on the ground floor and three single beds in the loft. Land rooms all have a large private deck, freestanding bathtub and walk-in showers.

How far to the nearest…

• Shop 1.2km
• Café/Bar 1.6km
• Restaurant 1.6km
• Village (Harads) 1.6m/15-minute walk
• Domestic Airport (Luleå) 85km/75-minute drive 
• Train Station Boden or Luleå

Location Just shy of the Arctic Circle, the hotel rests on Sweden’s fast-flowing Lule River, backed by grazing land used for centuries by reindeer herdsmen.

Build Sustainable, natural local materials used wherever possible. Sedum turf roofs provide insulation. Pine – reflecting the river’s former use as a timber-transport route – features in abundance. Land cabins are stilted so as to have minimal impact on their environment.

Energy Rooms have underfloor heating and wood-pellet stoves.

Environment To help protect the river, spa guests are given complimentary swimsuits made of chemical-free organic cotton, as well as eco-friendly and vegan products. The restaurant prides itself on its lack of food waste, championing nose-to-tail eating and using as much of each ingredient as possible.

Community Arctic Bath works with local indigenous communities to host guest engagement and educational events. All pet-stay fees are donated to a local clean water project.

Digital detox Free high-speed WiFi is available. 

Creature comforts Despite its eco-credentials, Arctic Bath sits firmly in the luxury spa hotel category thanks to rainfall showers, designer furnishings, minibars and air-conditioning.

The Sami people embrace not four but eight seasons, dictating their life’s rhythm. Spring-Summer is lit by the midnight sun; the river thaws and the cabins can float free. Fore-Winter brings the first Northern Lights and a blanket of snow, binding the River rooms in a thick sheet of ice as Mid-Winter approaches.

Engage

Activities span the seasonal spectrum, come snowfall or sunshine, from skiing to swimming. Snow-shoe through wintry wonderlands; seek out wild moose on a husky-sled safari; or join a wilderness expert on a guided hike. As well as its amazing spa, Arctic Bath has a great selection of authentic and life-enhancing experiences: meet the Sámi and learn about their culture.

Savour

Ice-fishing for salmon, Arctic char or trout; foraging for fungi, berries and wild garlic leaves; and salting, pickling or smoking summer’s bounty to stretch through winter are key components of Sami cuisine. Here, coffee is boiled on an open fire, and traditionally taken with a cube of fermented ‘coffee cheese’, salt, or a slice of reindeer heart. Or try one of the local craft beers from Piteå or Luleå.

Arctic Bath’s restaurant continues the hotel’s hyper-local theme, with five-course gourmet menus conceived by Sámi chef Kristoffer Åström. Dishes extract every ounce of flavour from their seasonal ingredients, including cloudberries, parsnip, ptarmigan and moose. Breakfasts are a buffet of breads, ham and local cheese from nearby Jokkmokk and Vuollerim, plus there are healthy smoothies and abundant fruit.

Go Slow

Slide into the water and breathe deeply. Stargaze or sunbathe on your private deck – you might be rewarded with a captivating display of the aurora borealis. Find a cosy corner and open your favourite book. Make snow angels beneath the birch branches. Learn the names of the eight Sámi seasons.