Tag Archives: scandinavia hotel

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Finland

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Two words, winter wonderland. Kakslauttanen Artic House has rapidly become a property worthy to be in everyone’s bucket list since it’s opening. Located in Sweden only 250km from the Arctic Circle, this property is so enchanting that even Ralph Lauren decided to shoot their latest Winter collection in the snowy grounds.

The air so clean and crisp you will feel it deep in your lungs, the water is so clean you will taste heaven with every sip you take from the stream, the surroundings are so peaceful your brain will finally take an overdue break. The Kakslauttanen Hotel is not only famous for being located in the most ethereal spot in Sweden, but for their dim lit glass domes scattered around the most enchanting spot of the Lapland region.

It is not easy to get to, but if you are an adventure traveler, this is your next stop. Fly into Helsinki and take a 1.5hr flight to Ivalo Airport and drive for 30 minutes to Kakslauttanen Artic Resort .

As soon as you set foot in this virginal piece of heaven, you will fall head over heels with it so hard that you will make this your yearly winter trip.

As soon as you check in, the friendly staff will swift you away to your room after touring the frosty grounds for a couple minutes. If you choose to stay in the Igloo (I highly suggest you do) you will have to do a double take to realize that this is actually going to be your home for the nest few days.  The domes, nestled between celestial pine trees, resemble an igloo, but instead of ice it is made out of glass. The reason behind the design of the rooms was to be able to see the Aurora Borealis on its full splendor and not have anything interrupt the breathtaking views.

It is open year round, however my favorite time of year to visit is during the winter. In the summer the sun does not set making every night a White Night dream, this time of year is also gorgeous. Their activities include horse-led safaris, nature hikes, river cruises in the world-famous Lemmenjoki National Park,  berry picking and panning for gold. During the winter, the most iconic sight is the Aurora Borealis, however you can also sled with reindeer and huskies, ride sleighs through the snow, ice fish and take a daylong trip on an icebreaker cruise ship.

If you are the kind of traveler that loves to get their “winter fix” skip the typical Colorado ski trip and try something more bizarre, something more exciting, something more adventurous.

Pictures provided by the property and photographer Valtteri Hirvonen.

Ice Hotel. Sweden

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The ICEHOTEL in Sweden is the original ICEHOTEL and was founded in 1989. It has since acquired great fame from its novelty and beauty. As both and art exhibit and hotel, ICEHOTEL in Sweden is constructed entirely of ice from a European wild river north of the Arctic Circle.

All of the walls, floors and ceilings are created by different artists and designers who use this marvel as their personal art canvas. They also care immensely for the environment, so they are constantly improving and finding ways to protect the surrounding area.

Choose from a cool room if you are feeling adventurous, or a warm room if being that cold sounds just too bone-chilling…the ICEHOTEL is great at catering to any type of guest, which is not a simple task considering that the hotel is mostly made of ice. The cool rooms come with multiple options, but we recommend staying in a deluxe suite or in one of the art suites. In the deluxe suite, you will find the room to be quite large and luxurious. It comes equipped with an en-suite heated bathroom and sauna for when the cold gets to be too much. In both the deluxe suite and the art suite there is a unique, handcrafted 3D ice sculpture, and in the art suite, the entire room is individually designed by handpicked artists from all over the world.

If the warm room sounds more appealing, stay in an arctic chalet, where you will be able to get a true feel for Sweden and its culture. The rooms are  charming enough to enjoy your time there. Insider tip: book a portion of your stay in a cool room, and the rest in a warm room. The cool rooms offer an amazing experience, but staying for too long will leave you cold and grumpy.

In the Spring of each year, the hotel melts away and is later recreated, so you are guaranteed to have a unique experience every time you visit. Do not worry, though, you can still visit in the summer – ICEHOTEL offers their chalets and wilderness camp to summer guests.

Posh Voyage is all about the possibility of adventures and trying out exciting new places, so the ICEHOTEL is one of our favorites. Get outside your comfort zone without sacrificing the luxury you love with this stop in Sweden.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.