The northern lights (or aurora borealis) is nature’s best light show. This phenomenon can be seen from Sweden, Iceland, Alaska, Finland, Greenland, Norway and even Canada. The incredible and vibrant lights are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and are definitely worth a trip to witness. We’ve rounded up four amazing hotels that offer up stunning views of the northern lights.
Take advantage of the views from these incredibly cool hotels and fall asleep watching the northern lights:
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Kakslauttanen, Finland
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland, lets travelers stay in luxurious glass igloos. Guests can snuggle up in the igloo and look up to behold the colorful show happening above them. The glass igloo has thermal walls and cozy beds for a comfy and warm sleep.
In addition to glass igloos, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort also boasts cabins with glass observation areas to admire the magnificent aurora borealis.
Fully experience the Lappish country with a reindeer sleigh ride at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Travelers can also try their hand at dogsledding with adorable huskies or opt to go ice fishing on a frozen lake. Be surrounded by Finland’s wilderness and escape the city hustle at this scenic destination.
Pro-Tip: If you didn’t Instagram it, did it even happen? Be sure to keep your social media up to date during your incredible trip and grab a prepaid SIM card before you leave for your trip.
2. Treehotel in Harads, Sweden
Think childhood treehouse, but, like, WAY better. Glamping (glamorous + camping) has never looked so good as it does with Treehotel in Harads, Sweden. Stay among towering trees at this hotel featuring cutting-edge architecture. At night, take advantage of your unique viewpoint and behold the northern lights.
Situated along Sweden’s Lule River valley, not only is Treehotel an ideal spot to gawk at aurora lights, but there is natural beauty at every turn on the grounds. Treehotel offers a range of room types: the Bird’s Nest (above), the UFO style and the Mirror Cube (see first image). Cure your wanderlust and stay in one of these breathtaking spots.
Treehotel is proudly eco-friendly; their menu is locally sourced and focuses on wild game. Hot tubs and saunas are on-site and can be used for an additional fee. During the winter, activities like dogsledding, ice fishing and snowshoeing can be enjoyed.
Pro-Tip: Be sure to book the tree dining experience and have your dinner served, 10 meters above ground in a tree!
Ion Adventure Hotel in Nesjavellir, Iceland
Ion Adventure Hotel is a boutique hotel that sits on a location close to the famous ‘Golden Circle’ — a 300km route hosting some of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls, volcanoes, and geysers. The hotel is specifically positioned for the best views of the aurora borealis.
Ion Adventure Hotel in Iceland is where urban meets rural. The hotel fuses together modernist concrete with Iceland’s breathtaking nature. Travelers can expect sweeping views of the northern lights and lush landscape from their room at Ion Adventure Hotel.
Grab a Nordic cocktail and bask in the hotel’s extravagant spa overlooking the terrain’s gorgeous lava fields. The Icelanders sure know how to live.
Pro-Tip: If you’ll be flying into Reykjavik before staying at Ion Adventure Hotel, you can book a day tour to explore the Golden Circle then make your way to the hotel to stay the night.
ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden is constructed entirely out of ice and snow from the Torne River. The hotel is only open during the winter season (for obvious reasons) and is built entirely in a new design each year. Located in the auroral oval, after the sun sets, you can venture outside into the chilly air and look up to see the northern lights in shades of pale green, yellow or blue.
The hotel offers aurora viewing activities the ‘Northern Lights Safari on Snowmobile’ and ‘Northern Lights Photography’. Of course, it’s also worth staying here to just *chill* out in the hotel. You can check out the chandeliers that each consist of 1000 hand-polished ice crystals!
Pro-Tip: If heading to Sweden, stop by the small yet charming town of Abisko for a tour to catch a glimpse of the northern lights with clear skies, surrounded by picturesque wilderness.
When should you book your northern lights trip?
The northern lights occur when molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere meet charged particles from the sun. These celestial lights appear best near the North Pole (the area is called the auroral oval) and within the months of September to March, where the skies are the clearest and darkest. Read more on when and where to see the northern the lights here.
