Kiwi Curated
Best Hotels to See the Northern Lights
by Monika MarkovinovicAs winter nights in the Northern Hemisphere are colder and darker, the winter skies get clearer, and many travelers journey to far-flung northern locales to watch the exquisite dance of the northern lights. Escape the city and voyage to one of these eight luxury hotels to catch a glimpse of one of nature’s most majestic light shows.
Best Hotels to See the Northern Lights
Nestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, Loggers Lodge is far removed from the closest town, making it an ideal locale for northern light adventurers. Built-in 1942, this one-room lodge was once a temporary home for loggers working the area’s timber industry. Today, it has been carefully transformed into a romantic luxury suite for two. After a day of reindeer herding and serene snowshoeing, return to the lodge’s woven rugs, sheepskin-clad Lamino chairs and a glass-framed fireplace. The most romantic activity of all? Take a starlit soak in the outdoor hot tub, there’s no better place to watch the northern lights.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
Finland is right in the middle of what’s called the “aurora zone,” and every once in awhile, Helsinki is blessed with a light show. If you’re lucky enough to catch the spectacle, a stay at Hotel St. George is essential. Across from Old Church Park, this historic building has sections dating back to the 1840s, designed by famed architect Onni Tarjanne. The building once played host to Suometar, the first Finnish newspaper, and The Helsinki Finnish Club. Now, it’s an urban retreat for travelers looking to experience the Finnish lifestyle, one that merges art, design, literature, food and adventure. If voyaging north to Lapland for the lights, start your travel day with a fresh pastry and coffee at St. George Bakery & Bar.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
Home to some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, Alberta is a prime location to capture the neon glow of the aurora borealis. With no artificial light around to obscure the natural wonder, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge delivers a stargazing experience that visitors surely won’t forget. Guests can join onsite astronomy experts at the property for a live virtual tour of local constellations before relaxing in luxurious rustic cabins surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
If heading north to the Swedish Arctic Circle to chase aurora borealis, stop in Stockholm to gear up for your winter trek with a stay at Hotel at Six. Home to one of Europe’s largest curated art collections, this sleek hideaway will stimulate your artistic senses. Discover new music at Hosoi, the hotel’s social living room and Scandinavia’s first slow listening lounge, and enjoy beautifully-made cocktails at SUS, the vibrant rooftop atop of the hotel. Guests only stopping in Stockholm shouldn’t lose hope–during periods of particularly high solar activity, it’s not unheard of to see the northern lights this far south.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
Volcanic landscapes, crystal clear waterfalls, geothermal hot springs–Iceland’s wilderness is alluring, making it a must for aurora hunters. Although popular places for those chasing the northern lights range from Sandgerdi on the southern peninsula to the outskirts of Vatnajökull National Park, the twinkling aurora can also be seen from Reykjavik on a clear night. Located in the heart of downtown is 101 Hotel. Minimalist and boutique, it’s close to the many cultural, dining and nightlife hot spots of the capital. If chasing the country’s remote and wild beauty day in and out, the curated gallery, relaxing spa and chic lounge of this Nordic hotel is sure to have one feel right at home.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
The Norwegian fjords rank among the world’s most iconic landscapes, and here, you might get a chance of spying the northern lights. There’s no better place to stay during the cold winter months than StorFjord Hotel, a private mountaintop aerie with breathtaking views of fjord country. Featuring traditional Lafta construction—stacked logs interwoven and insulated with lamb’s wool—this secluded luxury boutique built on six acres of private land overlooks the Sunnmore Alps and Glomsetbukta Bay, the latter being a fantastic launching pad for an exciting kayak or boat adventure.
VIEW HOTELBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
Hanging amongst the conifers of Sweden’s Lapland, Treehotel reflects its very name. In the peace and quiet of the surrounding forest, guests staying in one of these six unique suspended cottages sleep up in the trees and are connected to nature in ways so many travelers dream of. A perfect spot for northern light chasers, this hotel allows you to relax in style as you watch the aurora through the glass ceiling or from the wood-fired bathtub. To capture a stellar image of the lights for Instagram, sign up for a photography course or take part in a snowmobile safari to chase after those radiant swirls.
BOOK NOWBest Hotels to See the Northern Lights
A Baltic Sea port city on the northwestern tip of Russia, St. Petersburg is a gateway to some of the world’s most remote destinations, including the Kola Peninsula, where the Russian northern lights shine the brightest thanks to 42 days of polar night. Known as the cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg is home to the Bolshoi Ballet and Kirov Opera, making it the perfect place to explore for a few days pre or post northern lights expedition. A fabulous place to rest is Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, a property combining the charm and elegance of 19th century Tsarist Russia with modern comforts.
VIEW HOTELNestled in the heart of Swedish Lapland, Loggers Lodge is far removed from the closest town, making it an ideal locale for northern light adventurers. Built-in 1942, this one-room lodge was once a temporary home for loggers working the area’s timber industry. Today, it has been carefully transformed into a romantic luxury suite for two. After a day of reindeer herding and serene snowshoeing, return to the lodge’s woven rugs, sheepskin-clad Lamino chairs and a glass-framed fireplace. The most romantic activity of all? Take a starlit soak in the outdoor hot tub, there’s no better place to watch the northern lights.
VIEW HOTELFinland is right in the middle of what’s called the “aurora zone,” and every once in awhile, Helsinki is blessed with a light show. If you’re lucky enough to catch the spectacle, a stay at Hotel St. George is essential. Across from Old Church Park, this historic building has sections dating back to the 1840s, designed by famed architect Onni Tarjanne. The building once played host to Suometar, the first Finnish newspaper, and The Helsinki Finnish Club. Now, it’s an urban retreat for travelers looking to experience the Finnish lifestyle, one that merges art, design, literature, food and adventure. If voyaging north to Lapland for the lights, start your travel day with a fresh pastry and coffee at St. George Bakery & Bar.
VIEW HOTELHome to some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, Alberta is a prime location to capture the neon glow of the aurora borealis. With no artificial light around to obscure the natural wonder, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge delivers a stargazing experience that visitors surely won’t forget. Guests can join onsite astronomy experts at the property for a live virtual tour of local constellations before relaxing in luxurious rustic cabins surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
VIEW HOTELIf heading north to the Swedish Arctic Circle to chase aurora borealis, stop in Stockholm to gear up for your winter trek with a stay at Hotel at Six. Home to one of Europe’s largest curated art collections, this sleek hideaway will stimulate your artistic senses. Discover new music at Hosoi, the hotel’s social living room and Scandinavia’s first slow listening lounge, and enjoy beautifully-made cocktails at SUS, the vibrant rooftop atop of the hotel. Guests only stopping in Stockholm shouldn’t lose hope–during periods of particularly high solar activity, it’s not unheard of to see the northern lights this far south.
VIEW HOTELVolcanic landscapes, crystal clear waterfalls, geothermal hot springs–Iceland’s wilderness is alluring, making it a must for aurora hunters. Although popular places for those chasing the northern lights range from Sandgerdi on the southern peninsula to the outskirts of Vatnajökull National Park, the twinkling aurora can also be seen from Reykjavik on a clear night. Located in the heart of downtown is 101 Hotel. Minimalist and boutique, it’s close to the many cultural, dining and nightlife hot spots of the capital. If chasing the country’s remote and wild beauty day in and out, the curated gallery, relaxing spa and chic lounge of this Nordic hotel is sure to have one feel right at home.
VIEW HOTELThe Norwegian fjords rank among the world’s most iconic landscapes, and here, you might get a chance of spying the northern lights. There’s no better place to stay during the cold winter months than StorFjord Hotel, a private mountaintop aerie with breathtaking views of fjord country. Featuring traditional Lafta construction—stacked logs interwoven and insulated with lamb’s wool—this secluded luxury boutique built on six acres of private land overlooks the Sunnmore Alps and Glomsetbukta Bay, the latter being a fantastic launching pad for an exciting kayak or boat adventure.
VIEW HOTELHanging amongst the conifers of Sweden’s Lapland, Treehotel reflects its very name. In the peace and quiet of the surrounding forest, guests staying in one of these six unique suspended cottages sleep up in the trees and are connected to nature in ways so many travelers dream of. A perfect spot for northern light chasers, this hotel allows you to relax in style as you watch the aurora through the glass ceiling or from the wood-fired bathtub. To capture a stellar image of the lights for Instagram, sign up for a photography course or take part in a snowmobile safari to chase after those radiant swirls.
BOOK NOWA Baltic Sea port city on the northwestern tip of Russia, St. Petersburg is a gateway to some of the world’s most remote destinations, including the Kola Peninsula, where the Russian northern lights shine the brightest thanks to 42 days of polar night. Known as the cultural capital of Russia, St. Petersburg is home to the Bolshoi Ballet and Kirov Opera, making it the perfect place to explore for a few days pre or post northern lights expedition. A fabulous place to rest is Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, a property combining the charm and elegance of 19th century Tsarist Russia with modern comforts.
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