Is not life superb? Typically, for me no less than, it is arduous to consider we’re all simply right here on this stunning planet filled with wonders just like the Grand Canyon, giraffes and the dazzling phenomenon we name the northern lights.
I have been fortunate to see the previous two of these wonders, however the northern lights have eluded me so far. Most likely as a result of I’ve by no means been to the Arctic areas the place the ethereal inexperienced, yellow and generally crimson lights are most frequently noticed dancing within the sky.
Sooner reasonably than later, I might prefer to make that journey occur. However fortunately lots of my colleagues right here at The Factors Man have had their very own adventures chasing the northern lights, so we put collectively some useful guides on setting expectations for a visit and if it is best to see them by land, air or sea.
Regardless of the way you see them, likelihood is you may want a spot to sleep earlier than, throughout or after the hunt in among the best locations to see the northern lights.
Whether or not you wish to root the expertise in trendy Reykjavik or sleep immediately underneath the lights in a glass igloo in Finland, listed here are the most effective lodges to see the northern lights.
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Ion Journey Resort
A part of Design Accommodations and a member of Marriott Bonvoy, Ion Journey Resort provides a once-in-a-lifetime keep in Selfoss, Iceland, that is more likely to include a tantalizing style of the northern lights.
With simply 45 rooms, this lodge is as intimate as it’s distant (about an hour from Reykjavik). The rugged design, filled with concrete options, appears to reflect the lava fields which the property calls residence. On the Northern Lights Bar, floor-to-ceiling home windows provide nice views of the panorama and sky exterior. Resort workers can organize varied varieties of adventures (there is a purpose it is within the identify) to get even nearer to the magic within the sky.
Marriott Bonvoy members can guide the Ion Journey Resort for as little as 50,000 factors an evening, whereas money charges begin at round $276.
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Resort Ranga
A member of Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World (and Hyatt by extension — no less than for now), Resort Ranga in Hella, Iceland, is a country property with eclectic, luxurious finesse.
The lodge describes itself as “a cross between a searching lodge and (palatial) log cabin.” Nevertheless, it additionally occurs to have an observatory the place an area astronomer helps friends see the cosmos — even with an untrained eye. If you happen to’re afraid of lacking the lights in the midst of the night time, simply press a button in your in-room telephone and the lodge’s aurora wake-up staff will notify you when the glowin’ will get goin’.
A Class 7 World of Hyatt lodge, award nights right here will be discovered between 25,000 and 35,000 factors. Money charges begin round $300 an evening.
Reykjavik Version
With a set of uber-chic lodges all over the world, Marriott’s Version model, based by famed hotelier Ian Schrager, is the epitome of cool.
In Iceland, the Reykjavik Version isn’t any exception. Nevertheless, it could even be on a distinct degree contemplating its prime location in a super-trendy metropolis that additionally occurs to be a spot to identify the northern lights. Within the lodge, one nice viewing spot is The Roof bar, serving drinks and sustainably sourced meals with a facet of beautiful mountain and ocean views.
Money charges on the Reykjavik Version begin round $392 {dollars} an evening whereas Marriott Bonvoy members can snag an award night time from 59,000 factors per night time.
Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
If you happen to’re a Hilton Honors member searching for the northern lights, contemplate a keep on the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica, certainly one of 4 Hilton properties within the capital metropolis.
As our evaluation of the lodge notes, the situation will not be essentially preferrred if you happen to’re trying to expertise Reykjavik itself. Nevertheless, it is a good residence base for the numerous adventures close to the town, together with ones that head out searching for the northern lights. After a busy night time exploring the magic within the sky, friends can return to the lodge and unwind on the spa, heat up within the sauna and check out an area beer on the bar.
Money costs on the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica fluctuate however will be discovered as little as $158 an evening, although most nights are barely costlier. Hilton Honors members can guide for as little as 45,000 factors per night time.
Star Arctic Resort
The Lapland area of Finland is without doubt one of the greatest locations on this planet to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, and within the village of Saariselka, the Star Arctic Resort may be the most effective place to remain.
Perched atop the Kaunispaa mountain, the lodge is precisely what you’d count on from a classy Scandanavian lodge — and actually, the design would possibly rival the fantastic thing about the aurora itself. Right here you may guide a Scenic View Suite with enormous home windows to gaze on the lights or go for a glass-topped cabin so you may see them from mattress with out even having to show over. For the complete Finnish expertise, cease within the lodge’s restaurant for regionally sourced reindeer meat and fish.
Relying on the time of 12 months you go to, charges fluctuate fairly dramatically. Charges throughout peak northern lights alternatives begin round $408 per night time.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
One other property on the checklist from Lapland in Finland is the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
It is identified for its glass-domed igloos that appear to permit the northern lights to wrap you up like a blanket. Past chasing the lights, the resort provides intensive unimaginable actions like husky safaris, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and snowboarding. It is a winter wonderland that you need to see to consider.
Nightly charges begin round $587 per night time.
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Icehotel
Almost definitely, no two journeys to the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, would be the similar. That is as a result of every year, a brand new iteration of the lodge is constructed from ice and snow which melts away when it begins to heat up after April.
Although there are everlasting, year-round lodging, pairing a visit to catch the northern lights with a keep in a short lived lodge manufactured from Mom Earth’s pure components is definitely the one option to do it. As for experiences, the lodge can manage dinners underneath the lights, images classes to learn to seize the right picture of them and snowmobile safaris at night time for a high-speed option to chase them.
Charges on the Icehotel depend upon room kind however snow rooms will be discovered for between $300 and $500 an evening. As TPG reporter Emily McNutt discovered throughout her keep, you can even guide a switch from the airport through canine sled.
Northern Lights Resort & Spa
You do not have to go all the best way to Iceland or Scandinavia to see the northern lights. There are alternatives to see them in Canada’s Yukon. On the Northern Lights Resort & Spa, close to the city of Whitehorse, glass chalets can be found to guide that provide enormous home windows looking into the sky immediately from the mattress.
The resort provides a collection of three- and four-night all-inclusive packages that embody particular viewing experiences, three meals each day, use of the saunas, winter garments leases and even canine sledding.
For the 2023-24 season, the resort is solely offered out for the $1,371 per individual Aurora Viewing Package deal. However, you may already submit a request to guide for the 2024-25 season.
Arctic Treehouse Resort
If the easiest way so that you can see the northern lights is from panoramic floor-to-ceiling home windows in a classy, Scandanavian-designed suite perched over the treetops of Lapland, the Arctic Treehouse Resort has your identify on it. Within the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, this trendy lodge provides many free actions like snowshoeing in the course of the winter months. The lodge additionally provides delectable eating at its restaurant, Rakas.
Charges differ all through the season however appear to start out within the excessive $700 vary and bounce to over $1,000 an evening throughout peak season.
Eliassen Rorbuer
A resort within the Lofoten Islands in Norway, this property includes a collection of cottages utilized by fishermen within the storybook village of Hamnoy. Significantly, it seems to be like a scene from a Disney film.
In accordance with the lodge, friends can hunt the northern lights for 182 days of the 12 months whereas sleeping in waterfront cottages with massive skylights. Being on the water, friends can take boat journeys to absorb the surroundings from a distance after which be part of an outing with a information or photographer to catch the present within the sky.
Although there are a lot of several types of lodging, from three-bedroom residences to small cottages, charges are typically very reasonably priced and will be discovered beginning at $193 per night time.
Moxy Tromso
There is a purpose Moxy gained the TPG Award for Greatest Reasonably priced Resort Model in 2023: It has every part a visitor may need, together with a cushty and enjoyable room, a vibey foyer and places in attention-grabbing locations all all over the world. And that features Tromso, Norway, an unimaginable place to take a look at the northern lights.
At this Moxy, friends can begin their mornings on the breakfast buffet earlier than exploring the city. Then, gear up for an evening of looking for the lights with dinner and drinks at Sky Bar Moxy; simply remember to ask for the key menu. And although the lodge itself does not present northern lights excursions, it will probably level you in the precise path for one of many many firms within the space that do.
Charges on the Moxy Tromso begin at round $95 or 12,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per night time.
Aurora Safari Camp
Impressed by the small bush camps in Kenya, Aurora Safari Camp is a play on an arctic safari in Swedish Lapland, the place just about every part you want is included. For starters, the all-inclusive-style camp contains your entire meals and drinks (even alcohol), in addition to actions like steaming within the sauna, taking a fats bike out on the snow, snowshoes and Nordic skis. And do not forget the charming rooms with enormous home windows excellent for gazing on the night time sky.
For charges and availability, head to the firm’s contact web page to submit particular details about the journey you are trying to plan.
Arctic Bathtub
Think about Arctic Bathtub a spa resort with a facet of northern lights tucked away in Sweden’s Lapland. Right here, you may reap the benefits of a contemporary tackle conventional Swedish spa rituals (assume: chilly baths, saunas and extra) in the course of the day, after which spend the nights chasing the cosmos. It additionally has upscale eating that serves contemporary Scandinavian fare in a contemporary restaurant. However better of all, you do not have to attempt too arduous to search out the northern lights right here — simply clear skies and a bit of fine fortune.
Charges at Arctic Bathtub begin at round $575 per night time.
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