Small and remote boutique hotels and lodges in Scandinavia
Our recommendations for private and secluded boutique hotels and lodges with personalised service and authentic experiences in remote, natural locations. Contact us for a personalised, tailor-made itinerary that includes one or several of these properties.
In today's evolving travel landscape, the quest for privacy and serene environments has become paramount for many travellers. Seeking out remote destinations and intimate accommodation options has emerged as a popular choice. Thankfully, Nordic boutique hotels and lodges offer not only charm and authenticity but also Nordic luxury and rich experiential offerings. Below, we highlight a selection of our most secluded and charismatic partner hotels and lodges across Scandinavia, specifically in Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Each venue has a unique background, shaped by the personal passions and interests of their owners.
Authentic tours off the beaten path are one of our specialties, and we can easily create a personalised itinerary that is built around one or several of the boutique hotels and lodges listed below.
Lyngen Lodge in Olderdalen, Norway – 8 rooms
The Lyngen Lodge is a stunning, luxurious boutique hotel along the Lyngen fjord, overlooking the Lyngen Alps in far northern Norway. With 8 en-suite bedrooms and a maximum of 16 guests, the lodge is the perfect place for a secluded, luxurious holiday with many guided adventures organised by owners Graham Austick and Elisabeth Braathen, both avid skiers and mountaineers. Personalised, exclusive experiences are complemented with great attention to detail from world-class food and roaring fires to candles, fresh flowers, and gorgeous fabrics.
29|2 Aurland in Aurland, Norway – 10 rooms
29|2 Aurland is a charming boutique hotel located in Aurland, right next to mountains, waterfalls, and the beautiful Aurland river. Owned by Tone and Bjørn Rønning Vike, the beautiful and lush 29|2 Aurland estate has several buildings, which all together house 7 unique bedrooms and 3 suites. 29|2 is also a certified ECO-Lighthouse business with a passion for sustainable tourism. With no traffic and very few people, this is an ideal place to relax, reconnect with nature, enjoy locally sourced organic food, and participate in various slow adventures.
Fjærland Fjordstove Hotel in Fjærland, Norway – 15 rooms
The Fjærland Fjordstove Hotell & Restaurant is a lovely, charming historic hotel in the tiny village of Fjærland, on the shores of the Fjærland fjord. With only 15 rooms and spacious common areas with beautiful fjord views, this boutique hotel has a very warm, inviting and relaxing atmosphere. The owner, Bård Huseby, is also a part of a research project on food sustainability in Norway, and he brings his passion for sourcing the best local produce to the hotel restaurant. In a similar vein, the hotel is also a certified ECO-Lighthouse business dedicated to sustainable tourism. We can combine a stay here with several other fjord hotels along your self-drive.
Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldal, Norway – 10 rooms
With a stunning combination of deep nature, cultural history and modern architecture, the Juvet Landscape Hotel is one of Norway’s most distinctive boutique hotels. Owned by Knut Slinning, a Norwegian visionary with a deep respect for nature, the hotel consists of several wooden structures with striking architectural lines, camouflaged in a tranquil, secluded riverside spot in a beautiful mountain valley. Staying in one of their 10 rooms (including one suite) allows you to truly unwind while enjoying the breathtaking panoramic views into the heart of nature. Several of our self-drive tours in this region include a stay at Juvet Landscape Hotel.
Aurora Estate in Kolari, Finland – 7 rooms
The Aurora Estate is a lovely boutique hotel located at the tranquil shores of Ylläsjärvi Lake, against the backdrop of the Ylläs fell. The hotel is the passion project of its owners and long-time friends Sirly Ylläsjärvi and Heidi Seikkula. With only seven individually decorated rooms, wonderful food as well as hiking and skiing paths at the doorstep, this is a great place to enjoy the peace and serenity of Finnish Lapland.
Beana Laponia in Meltaus, Finland – 11 rooms
Beana Laponia is a luxurious adults-only wilderness boutique hotel located 60 km north of Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle in Finland. Beana means ‘dog’ in Sámi and Laponia means ‘Lapland’ in Latin, both of which are reflected in the design of the hotel, speaking volumes about the passions of owners Mulla and Aki Holck. With 11 beautiful rooms in a remote wilderness location, this is a peaceful and private hideaway with excellent, personalised service and great activities.
Jávri Lodge in Saariselkä, Finland – 13 rooms
The Jávri Lodge is a charming, Lappish-style boutique hotel in the Finnish wilderness, near the tiny village of Saariselkä, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle. This luxurious, adult-only eco-accommodation lies at the doorstep of the Urho Kekkonen National Park with trails through the untouched nature. The owner Juha Mehtäjärvi renovated and extended Jávri in 2017 with a vision to create ‘uncompromising luxury with an environmental conscience’. This meant combining traditional design with modern architecture as well as ecological and sustainable processes and materials. With just thirteen en-suite rooms, outstanding local food, and adventures at your doorstep, enjoy the privacy and serenity in the midst of the Lappish wilderness.
Skabmá in Saariselkä, Finland – 7 rooms
Skábma, meaning the Polar Night, is a premium boutique lodge at the foot of the Kaunispää fell in the Lappish wilderness in Saariselkä. Owned by sisters Heli Kyrö and Kaisu Alasuutari who grew up roaming the forests in the Urho Kekkonen National Park, Skabmá is about personalised service, authentic slow adventures and appreciating the small pleasures: Crispy mornings, warm fires, spending time in unspoilt nature, and tasty local food with a nice glass of nice wine. With only seven rooms and a warm and calm atmosphere inside its timber walls, the lodge is a perfect reflection of the tranquillity of Lappish nature all around.
Lapland Guesthouse in Kangos, Sweden – 13 rooms
The Lapland Guesthouse is an authentic, family-run property in a remote location in Swedish Lapland, 150 km above the Arctic Circle. Owned by Johan and Eva Stenevad, this boutique guesthouse has a homely, rustic feel with a personal, informal touch. With only 5 traditional wooden cottages with a total of 13 rooms, this is a great little hideaway with plenty of adventures in the surrounding wilderness – perfect for someone looking for something truly authentic.
A journalist visited the Lapland Guesthouse in January 2020 as a part of a tailor-made tour organised by 50 Degrees North. Read her profile on the property here.
Arthotel Tornedalen in Hedenäset, Sweden – 10 rooms in 7 buildings
Arthotel Tornedalen is a tasteful boutique hotel located on the banks of the Torne river with a beautiful view across the river to Finland. Owned by art curator and entrepreneur Gunhild Stensmyr, art and design (both old and new) are everywhere and form the very heart of this place – in fact, Arthotel Tornedalen is also a part of the Art Centre Tornedalen. The accommodation consists of 7 fully renovated country houses from the 20th century with a total of 10 rooms, all decorated and furnished with specifically chosen pieces of art, craft and design. This is a secluded, authentic and unrushed experience, complete with walking and skiing tracks into the forest at your doorstep.
Loggers Lodge in Harads, Sweden – 1 room, very private and exclusive
The Loggers Lodge , an eco-luxury cabin in a remote forest in the hearth of Swedish Lapland, is as private and exclusive as you can get. Childhood best friends and owners Eric Borg and Jörgen Drugge, bound by their love of nature, have renovated the lodge into one of the most unique and romantic eco-luxury hideaways available in Scandinavia. With only one room, this boutique lodge offers the perfect romantic hideaway for two, bringing together the perfect balance of wilderness and luxury, complete with a private chef. Disconnect from the outside world and enjoy the warm cabin, untouched nature, and total silence.
Treehotel in Harads, Sweden – 7 private treehouses + 6 rooms
The world-famous Treehotel, is a selection of 7 unique and private treehouses as well as the Treehotel Guesthouse with 6 rooms. Located 4-10 metres above ground in a tall pine forest with stunning views of the Lule River valley, the Treehotel is the product of the courage and creativity of owners Kent Lindval and Britta Jonsson-Lindvall, both Lapland locals. Although highly popular, the design and small size of this boutique hotel allow visitors a good degree of privacy. So, settle in and enjoy the unique experience, natural surroundings and amazing views.
PAN Treetops, Norway – 2 private treehouses
PAN Treetop Cabins offer a blend of seclusion and luxury amidst the natural beauty of the Taiga, also known as the boreal forest or snow forest. The cabins of 40 sqm, situated eight meters above the ground are designed with sustainable Scandinavian architecture and feature modern amenities and expansive glass windows offering views of the beautiful surroundings. This off-grid luxury retreat is for those seeking tranquillity and a deep connection with nature while enjoying modern comforts.
Authentic Scandinavian tours off the beaten path are one of our specialties, and we can easily create a personalised itinerary that is built around one or several of the boutique hotels and lodges listed above.
Image: @travelsbymarc and Maja Pekkeri