TOUCH DOWN // WINTER 2018
Snuggle up in the luxury igloos of Kakslauttanen.
WINTER
1
h O tspots
ISFJORD RADIO
ADVENTURE HOTEL
One of Europe’s last great
wilderness areas, the far-flung
archipelago of Svalbard is fast becoming
the hottest destination in the frozen
north. And on an island with more polar
bears than humans, there are few more
memorable places to stay than the chic
Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel.
Decades ago this lonely radio
operator’s outpost was on the frontline
of the Cold War, but today it hides one
of the northern hemisphere’s most
charming boutique hotels. Look past
the gritty exterior: inside you’ll find
an Instagram-worthy space filled with
luxurious touches. There are no roads
connecting the hotel to the outside
world – aka the island’s capital city of
Longyearbyen – so transfers are via
snowmobile, dog sled or boat, depending
on the weather and season.
50 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE
2
PHOTO COURTESY KAKSLAUTTANEN
PLANNING A SNOW-FILLED ESCAPE THIS YEAR? THESE
HIBERNATION HOTSPOTS WILL KEEP THE COLD AT BAY…
THE ORIGINAL
ICEHOTEL, SWEDEN
Since the first ice hotel was
built in 1989 the Swedish village of
Jukkasjärvi has laid claim to the “original”
ICEHOTEL.
Each year, 200 kilometres north of
the Arctic Circle, this remarkable hotel is
rebuilt from the thick winter ice formed
in the Torne River, with artists from
across the globe lending their creative
touch to the frozen suites. When the
hotel melts in the summer the water
returns to its source. However, since
2017 a handful of ICEHOTEL suites
have been maintained throughout the
year, using near-permanent daylight to
solar-power cooling systems. In addition
to spending a remarkable night in an icy
embrace atop reindeer fur, ICEHOTEL
offers snowmobile safaris, ice sculpture
workshops and Arctic yoga.
3
KAKSLAUTTANEN,
FINLAND
Marvelling at the Northern
Lights is top of the list for most travellers
heading north of the Arctic Circle.
But why bother freezing your toes off
outdoors when you can admire the lights
from the comfort of your own bed?
That’s the idea behind the Glass
Igloos at Kakslauttanen in the far north
of Finland. With a domed roof made of
unique frost-free glass, these cosy igloos
are en suite and sleep up to four people –
though we’d suggest booking one of the
more romantic two-person hideaways. If
your budget won’t stretch to the Glass
Igloos, more traditional log cabins are
also available, alongside activities ranging
from dog sledding to ice fishing.
Despite the remote