Eco-Friendly Arctic Spa All Set for 2020 Opening
When one thinks of spas, images likely range from a mani pedi at the local day spa to morning yoga under the desert sun — but a new spa opening in the subarctic Swedish Lapland obliterates those preconceived notions and presents something a whole lot…cooler.
The Arctic Bath is a holistic spa focused on healthy eating, exercise, relaxation, and time in nature. Every element of the spa and surrounding area is designed with these things in mind. Relying solely on products from the all-natural Kerstin Florian product line, treatments here range from facials and body scrubs to massages and pedicures. They even provide swimwear and robes to use during your stay.
Visitors wishing to stay the night (or several) at the Arctic Bath can choose from a variety of lodging options, each offering their own experience. The cabin, elevated above the forest floor, is an apartment that sleeps five in its main floor and loft areas. Even better, it boasts a spiral staircase and vegetation-lined walkways that maximize the guests’ connection to nature.
The suite is another land option that sleeps two, and it’s similarly perched on poles above the shoreline. For a water experience, the spa also offer more traditional hotel-style rooms that actually float on the water, connected to land by nothing but a floating walkway.
Of course, healthy, organic dining makes up a key part of the holistic health and wellness regimen. With that in mind, the chefs at the spa’s on-site restaurant serve locally-sourced Scandinavian food around the clock. You can meet up in the bar for a drink before dinner or imbibe during dinner with local beer and wine selections. If you’re not much of a drinker, don’t worry: they also offer a great selection of smoothies. And no one has to worry about what to order for dinner, since the chefs offer a pre-fixed menu based on the ingredients that are available during your stay.
When you’re not too busy getting pampered, you’ll find there are ample opportunities to experience the culture of the surrounding area, rich in history and home to the Sámi people for more than 10,000 years. And not only will you learn about the indigenous lifestyle, you’ll also help them herd reindeer, be serenaded by their songs, and share a three-course meal prepared over an open fire. To explore the depths of the area’s natural elements, you can sign up for an ice fishing excursion, or even cross dog sledding off your bucket list. You can also elect to take guided or unguided nature hikes, wildlife photography or viewing treks, or explore the nearby ecopark. If you’re a fitness buff, you can get your heart pumping with snow cycling or snowshoeing before heading back to the warmth of your room.
The Arctic Bath is more than a spa, it’s a travel experience that simultaneously facilitates health and wellness and a deeper appreciation for the planet. The grand opening is currently slated for January 2020.
All photos courtesy of Johann Kauppi
