The hotels taking Nordic cool literally

In Europe’s wild north, these architectural wonders fuse eco design with sensational scenery, says Emma Love

When Scandinavians want to escape city life, many flock to tranquil lakes and snow-covered mountains, seeking solitude in the great outdoors. This – in addition to the clean lines and minimalist design aesthetic that they are known for – is why this Nordic region is the vanguard in elevating a humble cabin into an architectural wonder. From a treetop hideaway in Sweden to a groundbreaking sustainable hotel next to a glacier in Norway, these future-looking stays all share similar principles, fusing high-concept architecture with deliberately stripped-back interiors that don’t detract from their splendidly remote surroundings. Some appear deceptively simple in their choice of natural materials and structure; others are more obviously bold and brave, referencing local traditions of the past in a new, exciting way.

ARCTIC BATH HARADS, SWEDEN

The 19th-century tradition for transporting timber on the Lule River: that was the starting point for architect Bertil Harström when he designed this extraordinary holistic wellness hotel which opens midJanuary. “Often when the timber was being transported to the coast it would get stuck in the rapids, causing a log jam; it could be a really interesting structure, so we took that as a motif,” he explains. Made from pine and spruce, the ring-shaped building is designed to float above the water in summer and become part of the frozen landscape in winter (activities at this time of year include husky sledding and snowmobile rides). There are six rooms within it, and another six on land with spiky roofs that nod to the tools used to pull the logs apart; all are full of natural stone, leather and iron details, and Swedish-designed furniture. In the restaurant, Sami dishes made with locally sourced ingredients are on the menu, while in the spa, guests will be encouraged to try traditional sauna rituals, ending with a quick dip in the ice-cold river.

From 9,600 Swedish krona (about £780) for a floating room; from 10,500 SEK (about £855) for a land room; arcticbath.se

SVART HOTEL MELOY, NORWAY

It’s not due to open until 2022, but the ambitious aims of this energy-positive hotel at the foot of Svartisen, the second largest glacier on the Norwegian mainland, are already causing a stir. Snohetta architects (working with owner-developer Miris) began by mapping the movement of the sun’s radiation: the result is a circular wood-and-glass building on V-shaped poles in the Holandsfjord, topped with solar panels (energy consumption will be roughly 85 per cent lower than modern hotels), and with integrated terraces that shade the 99 rooms (meaning no need for air con in summer). “Being energy positive is all-encompassing,” says Snohetta architect and project lead Rikard Jaucis. “The geometry of the building is optimised to ensure

VALLDAL, NORWAY

“The whole concept is about putting contemporary design – these eyeopening, minimalist buildings with clean, straight lines – into nature,” says owner Knut Slinning of Juvet Landscape Hotel. Its seven secluded “Landscape” rooms and two more basic “Bird Houses” are scattered through a forest on an old farm estate less than an hour east of Alesund. The former are really just glass and timber cubes on stilts with dark, pared-back interiors; the latter, tiny 86 sq ft cabins inspired by traditional Norwegian log houses. All were designed by architect Jan Olav of Oslo-based practice Jensen & Skodvin, and built without cutting down trees – which explains their positioning and the differing but equally soul-soothing valley and river views. In complete architectural contrast, meals take place in a cosy, restored 100-year-old barn (the cow shed is now the dining room, the pigsty the kitchen) and there’s a Bath House spa for a post-ski soak in the hot tub.

Landscape rooms 3,700 Norwegian kroner (about £316) a night for two people, including breakfast; Bird Houses 2,500 NOK (about £213) a night for two people, including breakfast; juvet.com