Architects Bertil Harström and Johan Krauppi have created a free-floating hotel on one of Sweden's longest rivers, with the micro-destination featuring a spa among its offerings.
Owned and conceptualised by the architectural duo, the circular Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa will float on the Lule River during the summer months, with the structure frozen in place through the winter. It's set to open in Harads on 15 January 2020.
The main building is circular and was inspired by a log jam, while the overall design was influenced by the local tradition of log-driving.
Harström and Krauppi were inspired to create Arctic Bath during the opening of Treehotel, Harads, in 2010. This property includes seven unique treehouse hotel rooms suspended above the forest floor.
Arctic Bath will include accommodation, a spa, restaurant, lounge and bar. The hotel will have 12 rooms: six floating and the others elevated on poles onshore.
The spa will have one treatment room and include a variety of treatments such as massages, facials, and body treatments. Kerstin Florian has been chosen as product house, as well as the brand’s sister skincare range ANDA, which is both organic and vegan.
Additional facilities will include the outdoor cold bath – a circular pool at the building’s centre – as well as saunas, a steam sauna and thermal baths.
The outdoor cold bath will be available all year, as during the winter the pool will be kept free from ice. During summer, the midnight sun will allow guests to swim outside both day and night.
Guests will also be offered a range of activities such as moose calling, bear watching, northern lights photography, dog sledging, nature walks, snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing and yoga.
