This new hotel in Swedish Lapland is framed with wood, surrounded by icy water, and stands there bathing in the winter sun. From the description only, it feels like an extraordinary place.
The dream hotel is a centerpiece, a round structure adrift on the Lule River, accessible only through the wooden walkway, and that is made to resemble a cluster of logs, that are adrift on a Swedish waterway. Arctic Bath is a “floating hotel” from the Scandinavian north.
A giant ice bath is in the center of this floating structure, open to the elements and offering a reasonably spectacular spa experience for guests who are brave to the cold. The rest of the building comprises of various saunas and bathing experiences. The resort has 12 rooms that are dotted across the river banks and on the water’s edge, Scandi-chic cottages offering eye-catching views of the ever-changing skies matching the cozy, minimalistic interiors.
This new accommodation place is designed by architects Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi.
The beautiful design
The designs for Arctic Bath can be traced back to ancient 2018. The striking architecture and watery theme of the floating hotel capture the imagination of travelers across the world.
CEO Peter Engström tells CNN Travel that making the resort from design to reality was not as easy, in fact, and he believes if the group knew about the technical challenges beforehand, they might have put them off altogether. The decision to find a few rooms on land was determined somewhat late in the process. Engström said it provided its challenges, namely, to make sure the elevation of the cabin did not impact the passage of power and water as building on the land is more accessible than on the water.
The cabins are built above ground to prevent an impact on the environment as sustainability is a “foundation” of the hotel’s ethics. Now Arctic Bath is located about an hour and 15 minutes from Luleå Airport, is open for business, and also supplies first-rate culinary offerings at the hotel restaurant. The theme of wellness is also pretty high on the list of priorities for Arctic Bath, the food has a healthy bent, with locally sourced components, whereas to aid muscle pain, they emphasize cold bathing.
The ice tub is one of the hotel’s main attractions, even if guests may be daunted by the idea. “Fifty percent of arriving guests believe that they will not do it but end up having an ice bath more than once a day that to 90% of the people.
Activities on offer include yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. There’s also the feasibility of enjoying the wonderful outdoors, horseback riding, bear watching, and various courses in wildlife photography. During the wintertime, the Northern Lights illuminate the heavens above. The Arctic Bath team is also keen on bridging the gap between tourists and locals living nearby in the village of Harads, and guests will have the chance to discover more about the local Sámi culture and visit the resident at their home.
Engstrom said that from the start, their team had invited locals to stay with them. They wanted the community to provide feedback, and to feel the Arctic Bath. The group behind the new resort also helped bring the local, successful Tree hotel to life. Co-architect Bertil Harström of Arctic Bath said that he thinks after the Tree Hotel, the world was prepared for the Arctic Bath. They shared a dream and passion for making unique architecture to increase tourists in the place.
In conclusion
Arctic Bath is a dream come true, giving heed to more fantastic architecture in the area. The local culture can be learned by travelers by visiting the local resident. Tourists will not only love the stay but the aura of the city. Arctic Bath is a mind-blowing architecture that bridges the gap between locals and tourists.
