This Luxury Cabin Retreat in the Arctic Circle Is the Perfect Winter Hideaway

Definitely not a conventional hotel, this ‘deconstructed’ version offers all the creature comforts of high-end accommodation. However, the collection of cabins, which are dotted across the stunning Arctic landscape, also give guests the opportunity for ‘creative solitude’ and the chance to truly connect with nature, according to owner and island native Håvard Lund.

Lund has lived in Fleinvær since he was young and has established a deep relationship with his surroundings on the archipelago. He called the retreat Fordypningsrommet, which roughly translates as ‘room for deeper studies’ and the ethos of the place has become rooted in this concept of taking time out for contemplation and creative thinking. As a musician and composer himself, Lund wanted the accommodation to inspire guests and to encourage them to fully engage in the experience rather than merely be a tick off the bucket list.

Lund purchased the estate back in 2004 and started the project digging with spoons and forks years before he finally met Yashar Hanstad and Andreas G Gjertsen from TYIN Tegnestue Architects in 2013. Realising the need for professional input, he instructed the architects to design the hotel concept, along with mentor Sami Rintala from Rintala Eggertson Architects.

The cluster of nine small cabins have been designed to be off-grid, clad in a sustainable hardwood, with the buildings serving a different purpose. There are cabins dedicated to the three key functions – eating, sleeping and bathing – as well as a ‘studio house’, ‘inspiration house’ and, naturally, a ‘sauna house’ on the pier. All of the eco-friendly cabins boast floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular views of the mountains of the famous Lofoten archipelago, the sea and the sky beyond.

You’ll be without the sun from November until mid-January, but what you lack in light, you’ll certainly gain in incredible views of the Moon, stars and, if you’re lucky (and due to the northerly latitude you probably will be), the Northern Lights. Be prepared to be leave the Instagram account at home and totally switch off – mobile use is actively discouraged, plus there are no cars, roads or shops. But don’t worry, you can have a host on hand to help and shopping can be ordered in for your arrival.

The hotel can accommodate a maximum of 12 guests across the four sleeping quarters and often you book the whole cluster of houses, which costs 33,000 NOK for a week (just under £3,000/$4,000) and divide by as many people as you want to bring – if you had 12 people, it would work out as cheap as £35/$46 per night. During the summer months and special occasions in winter, the price is 1500 NOK pp/per night, which is £133/$178.

Find out more about booking your stay at Fordypningsrommet here. For more cabin retreats, read more in this article on romantic love shacks from around the world.