Set to open in 2018, the Arctic Bath, a floating hotel and spa in Lapland, Sweden, is the best place to stay to experience the Aurora Borealis.
The hotel is designed by the same team that brought the world Treehotel. The Arctic Bath hotel floats on the Lule River in the summer months and freezes into place on the river’s ice during the winter.
At the center of the floating Arctic Bath hotel is the bath itself, which all the rooms are situated around. Be warned: the water is kept at a crisp 4 degrees Celsius, but it’s the perfect spot for a sunny soak in the summer or for viewing the incredible Northern Lights.
To warm up after a dip in the central bath, you can head to one of the spa’s saunas or get comfortable in one of the cabins, which each come with their own log burner. The cabins have a classically Scandinavian minimalist feel, decked in timber with simple white accents. They of course also float on the Lule River (or sit on the ice depending on the time of year).
The designers were inspired by the look of a natural dam on the river, and say the hotel is meant to serve as a reminder of the importance of conserving the country’s forests.
On top of the bath and spa, the hotel will include a bar and restaurant. The hotel is expected to be a popular getaway, with rooms booking as far as six months out.
Madison Gable is a freelance writer based out of Athens, Georgia.