Arctic Bath Hotel : Floating Hotel In Swedish Lapland

The team behind the absolutely epic Treehouse hotel – The Tree Hotel have come out with another masterpiece Arctic Bath Hotel. Arctic Bath Hotel is a floating hotel situated on Lule river in the small village of Harads in Swedish Lapland.

This all-year-round unique hotel floats on the river during the summer months, and in winter it freezes into place. Located just 31 miles from the Arctic circle, Arctic Bath Hotel has taken its inspiration from timbers that drift down the river. Designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kaupp, Arctic Bath is a tribute to the region’s timber heritage and the timeless rhythm of the Lule River.

The quiet, serene surroundings create an intimate retreat that allows to disconnect from the hustle and bustle, enjoy the northern lights, and immerse completely in the peaceful Arctic landscape.

Photo courtesy of © Arctic Bath

Choose between three striking accommodation types – Water, Land, or Suite, all of which are strategically positioned to maximize views of the surrounding wilderness and the Northern lights. 

Along the shoreline, six floating cabins beckon, which can be discreetly reached by a footpath over the water and encircled by a wooden deck. The suites on the other hand are elevated on poles and situated on the shoreline among nestled amidst the birch trees, featuring expansive windows overlooking a flowing river, while the larger Land Cabins are designed to host up to 5 guests, along the shores of the Lule River.

The floor to ceiling windows and the skylight make it the perfect hotel in Sweden to watch the Northern Lights whilst experiencing the unique arctic life. The exterior is artfully crafted using local timber logs, it ties in perfectly with the Scandinavian design and also keeps you warm during the winter months. Not only is the design visually appealing, but Arctic bath hotel is also eco-friendly, using only local material and with ‘minimal-to-no’ impact on the environment. 

Photo courtesy of © Arctic Bath

The Arctic Bath hotel has one of the prime locations to watch the Northern Lights, above the Arctic Circle in Swedish Lapland, where the chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis are very high. Its remote location means there is minimal light pollution, dark skies, both of which are essential for Northern Lights.

At the heart of Arctic Bath lies a circular main building inspired by log driving history, home to the spa. Its centerpiece is its stunning open-air pool, located right in the middle of the circular floating structure. This building is designed to look like a cosy, warm nest surrounded by wooden beams that rise up and curve inward, resembling the natural form of a bird’s nest.

Its unique circular, floating design on the Lule River provides unobstructed 360-degree views of the night sky, offering the opportunity to watch the lights from almost anywhere on the property. Arctic Bath is also an excellent hotel for experiencing the Midnight Sun because of its location above the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t set for several weeks during the summer months.

Related Reads : Best Hotels in Sweden To Watch The Northern Lights

Photo courtesy of © Arctic Bath

Arctic Bath offers a wide range of activities that change with the seasons. In winter, there is dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoe hiking, alpaca farm visit, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing, as well as cultural experiences such as meeting the Sámi people and learning about their traditions.

During the summer months, the focus shifts to water and wilderness adventures like canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, horseback riding, hiking, and foraging for wild Arctic plants.

The hotel’s led by Head Chef David Staf, features locally sourced and seasonal produce such as wild-caught fish, reindeer, moose, berries, and herbs, all prepared with modern techniques rooted in Scandinavian and Sámi culinary traditions. Set in a beautifully crafted dining room overlooking the river, meals at Arctic Bath are more than just food they are a reflection of the surrounding landscape.

Despite its secluded location in the wilderness of Swedish Lapland surrounded by untouched nature, it is easily reachable, with Luleå Airport about an hour’s drive away and offer domestic and some international flights.

More information: Arcticbath.se