Top five eco-luxury stays in Lapland

Lapland offers some of the most remarkable places to stay in the world. Be it discovering snow-jewelled forests or enjoying the view from atop mother nature’s craggy peaks, it’s easy to see why venturing to this extraordinary place is high on our bucket lists.

Yet, with climate conversations more prevalent than ever, those within the travel industry have a responsibility to develop sustainable solutions.

We’ve chosen five incredible properties that not only ooze opulence and grandeur, but have been carefully constructed, and are operated by people who have genuine respect for nature and the environment.

Whether you are searching for a secluded eco-hut to hunt for the northern lights in comfort, or perhaps you’ve always dreamt of spending the night in a room made of ice, these beautiful places to stay have earned their place in our top five Lapland eco-luxury stays.

So if you’re planning a romantic getaway, want to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, or have a burning desire to tick something off your travel list with an eco-conscious twist, get in touch and speak to a Lapland travel expert to book your next adventure.

Gone are the days where rooms made of ice only appear in winter. The world-famous IceHotel in Swedish Lapland now offers guests the chance to sleep at -5 year-round in its newest innovation, IceHotel 365.

Home to nine Art Suites and four Deluxe Suites, imaginative ice sculptures fill the interior of every room inside IceHotel 365. All have been intricately hand-carved to create an unforgettable experience.

The lavish Jáuvre Suite is the star of the show. This room comes complete with a heated relaxation area which has a private sauna, drench shower, and an inviting bathtub for two.

Despite the double bed being sculpted from ice, getting a good night’s kip is easy. Snuggle up in a thermal sleeping bag under the warmth of fuzzy reindeer hides and drift off to sleep.

Certified with the Nordic Swan Eco-Label in 2018, Icehotel has successfully met strict criteria on how it deals with waste management, water, and chemical usage, organic and eco-labeled purchases as well as energy usage.

The entire resort is run on renewable energy year-round. Solar panels located on the roof of 365 collect power from the sun during the endless summer days, and this power is used to keep the refrigeration unit that is Icehotel 365 cold.

Dependent on clean water, clean air, and untouched nature, this spectacular exhibition made using only frozen water is environmentally conscious tourism at its very best.

Luxury eco-glamping has reached a whole new level in Finnish Lapland, where five Aurora Huts belonging to the adult-only, Wilderness Hotel Nangu, can be found gently placed on Lake Inari.

These exceptionally eco-conscious designed pods are in fact floating vessels that can easily be moved from place to place, so depending on the season, nights can be spent on ice, snow and even water.

During winter, Lake Inari freezes and expert aurora hunters place the pods in a prime location far away from light pollution to heighten the chances of seeing the ethereal northern lights. Come summertime, each cabin floats serenely on the lake where guests can enjoy the endless daylight of summer above the Arctic Circle.

Each Aurora Hut has a large double bed facing floor-to-ceiling glass panels which provide a panoramic view of the wilderness beyond. You’ll have access to a compact, sleek kitchenette in the hut too – perfect if you fancy a cuppa!

The environmental impact of these huts has been carefully considered right from their initial construction; high-quality materials that hold environmental certificates have been used, as well as low emission propellants and recyclable aluminium and glass.

Although the huts have no running water, access to hot showers and a sauna is provided at nearby Wilderness Hotel Nangu. They are, however, fitted with a composting toilet, and all waste is collected so as not to harm the environment.

The huts do not rely on electricity from the grid, instead, the electricity required is produced from solar energy and methanol, a zero-emission solution. Plus energy-efficient thermal insulation and glazing ensure energy consumption is minimised.

This brand-new innovative and moveable accommodation can withstand the harshest of conditions in the Arctic whilst providing guests with an unforgettable experience.

After opening its doors in 2020, Arctic Bath soon became one of the most sought-after places to stay in Swedish Lapland. With just six floating hotel rooms and six land cabins elevated on stilts to minimise environmental impact, the resort is small and thoughtfully designed.

Stay in one of the three luxurious land-based suites and you’ll find your bedroom with a king-size bed at the top of a grand spiral staircase, taking centre stage amongst pine-clad walls and aged leather furnishings. 

Each land cabin has a minibar and a spa bar and when the temperature drops outside, guests can cosy up in front of a carbon-neutral, wood pellet stove. Unlike the neighbouring water cabins, bathrooms in land-based rooms have bathtubs. Eco-friendly bathrobes, slippers, and even swimwear are provided.

Wellness is the fundamental concept of this ground-breaking retreat. Paying homage to the golden age of timber transport in Harads, the resort’s centre piece - a ring shaped floating spa - has been designed to look like a cluster of jammed timber. Enjoy full spa access to saunas, cold baths and spa rituals during your stay at this truly unique architectural masterpiece.

These three land-cabins were created with sustainability as a priority. From using locally sourced materials during development, to the construction vehicles running on biofuel.

Arctic Bath’s restaurant offers a changing set menu dependent on the seasons. Operating on a strict local radius, the ingredients are sourced organically. With a firm ban on single use plastic, the restaurant is another marker of Artic Bath's eco-consciousness. 

Eco-friendly bathrobes and swimsuits guests are given on arrival are made from organic cotton that is chemical free to avoid polluting the river. 

A luxury destination with the environment at the forefront of this retreat, a stay here is an exclusive opportunity to experience daring design alongside untouched natural splendour.

Expect the royal treatment at Levin Iglut, which sits in splendid isolation high above the Arctic Circle in Finland’s wilderness. Although the resort is home to 27 luxurious glass-roofed igloos, the crème de la crème here are the Suites, of which there are just three.

Perfect for families or those wanting extra space, these private and exceptionally spacious pods can sleep up to four guests. With motorised king-sized beds, a separate dining area and well-equipped kitchen (complete with specialty coffee maker) every detail has been executed with ultimate comfort in mind.

From a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne on arrival to extra luxuries including a well-stocked mini bar, fluffy bathrobes, slippers, and hats to wear in the outdoor jacuzzi, it’s all in the detail at Golden Crown.

Although all igloos here have heated glass panels for clear views of the night sky, the Suites are perched on the edge of the fell giving the very best unobstructed views of the forested valley beyond.

Reducing light pollution is a priority at Levin Iglut; not only to provide optimal conditions in aurora season for guests but also to prevent artificial light from disturbing the surrounding nocturnal eco-system. Artificial light disrupts the ability of birds to navigate by moonlight and starlight and can be harmful to animals after dark as they hide from predators, so utilising as much natural light as possible is of the utmost importance here.

The entire resort is run on green electricity, geothermal heating, and air-to-air heat pumps for maximum efficiency. Cleaning products have been carefully selected, and you won't find any plastic bottles here either; all drinks are served in glasses or glass bottles.

Deeply connected to nature, the cuisine served at the resort’s Restaurant Utsu is world-class and often centred on locally sourced and organic delicacies found in the surrounding lakes and woodland. The waiters and waitresses wear clothing made from recycled fabrics too.

The green policies at Levin Iglut seal the deal in making the Suite Igloos not only the most luxurious glass igloos in Finnish Lapland but also an exceptionally eco-conscious choice.

Taking luxury eco serenity to new heights, the aptly named Eagle View Suite at Hotel Iso-Syöte, Finnish Lapland, presents panoramic views of snow-shrouded forests and plunging valleys of Syote National Park. Perched high above the trees, star lit skies and northern lights crown this luxury nest.

Bringing the outside in, a winding tree forms the natural centrepiece connecting the suite together. After a wilderness adventure or a dip in the Arctic Spa, bathrobes and slippers await. The ground floor offers a cosy retreat with a roaring fireplace and private sauna.

On the top floor, a round double bed is perfectly positioned below the glass roof. Guests can also take in the aurora from the comfort of the bubbling hot tub. In the summertime, the blazing glow of the midnight sun fills the room with pools of light.

Committed to using a renewable energy source, Hotel Iso-Syöte has built an impressive heating plant on-site repurposing wood chips from nearby sawmills to heat the hotel as well as the outdoor hot tubs. 

Green DQS certified, the hotel is concerned with energy and water consumption as well as assessing the eco-friendliness of their services. Taps are fitted with water saving solutions in order to reduce water consumption.

With their on-going sustainability measures, Hotel Iso-Syöte invests in environmentally friendly technologies including energy-efficient kitchen appliances air- conditioning and automatically controlled LED lights.

Eagle View Suite provides the most luxe of experiences without the added cost to the environment. Crowned as one of the most romantic suites in the world by Telegraph, this unique escape alongside Hotelli Iso-Syöte’s genuine commitment to caring for the surrounding environment makes this experience ever more enticing.

From the heady heights of Eagle View Suite to the frozen luxury at Icehotel, discovering unique stays doesn’t have to come with an environmental cost. Where The Wild Is actively seeks accommodation run by owners with a conscience.

Our stays and activity providers with recognised green credentials in tourism, hospitality and animal welfare, are leading the way in responsible travel. Alongside this, we encourage self-drive holidays using electric cars, snowmobiling adventures on eSled’s and whale watching tours on emissions free catamarans.

We have ambitions to create trips where our customers can participate in conservation initiatives such as beach clean ups and tree planting programmes in the destinations we offer, many of which are the most sustainable in the world.

For every booking made, we donate money into ocean conservation in Norway.

To find out more about sustainable stays at the top of the world, contact us.