Is not life wonderful? Typically, for me not less than, it is onerous to imagine we’re all simply right here on this lovely 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 to this point. Most likely as a result of I’ve by no means been to the Arctic areas the place the ethereal inexperienced, yellow and typically purple lights are most frequently noticed dancing within the sky.
Sooner slightly than later, I would wish 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 helpful 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, chances are high you may want a spot to sleep earlier than, throughout or after the hunt in among the finest locations to see the northern lights.
Whether or not you need to root the expertise in fashionable Reykjavik or sleep instantly underneath the lights in a glass igloo in Finland, listed here are the most effective resorts to see the northern lights.
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Ion Journey Resort
A part of Design Resorts and a member of Marriott Bonvoy, Ion Journey Resort gives a once-in-a-lifetime keep in Selfoss, Iceland, that is prone to include a tantalizing style of the northern lights.
With simply 45 rooms, this resort 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 house. On the Northern Lights Bar, floor-to-ceiling home windows supply nice views of the panorama and sky outdoors. Resort employees can prepare numerous sorts of adventures (there is a purpose it is within the title) to get even nearer to the magic within the sky.
Marriott Bonvoy members can e book 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 Resorts of the World (and Hyatt by extension — not less than for now), Resort Ranga in Hella, Iceland, is a country property with eclectic, luxurious finesse.
The resort describes itself as “a cross between a searching lodge and (palatial) log cabin.” Nonetheless, it additionally occurs to have an observatory the place an area astronomer helps company see the cosmos — even with an untrained eye. When you’re afraid of lacking the lights in the course of the evening, simply press a button in your in-room cellphone and the resort’s aurora wake-up crew will notify you when the glowin’ will get goin’.
A Class 7 World of Hyatt resort, 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 group of uber-chic resorts around the globe, Marriott’s Version model, based by famed hotelier Ian Schrager, is the epitome of cool.
In Iceland, the Reykjavik Version is not any exception. Nonetheless, it might even be on a special stage contemplating its prime location in a super-trendy metropolis that additionally occurs to be a spot to identify the northern lights. Within the resort, one nice viewing spot is The Roof bar, serving drinks and sustainably sourced meals with a facet of gorgeous mountain and ocean views.
Money charges on the Reykjavik Version begin round $392 {dollars} an evening whereas Marriott Bonvoy members can snag an award evening from 59,000 factors per evening.
Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
As our overview of the resort notes, the placement shouldn’t be essentially very best if you happen to’re seeking to expertise Reykjavik itself. Nonetheless, it is a good house base for the numerous adventures close to town, together with ones that head out seeking the northern lights. After a busy evening exploring the magic within the sky, company can return to the resort and unwind on the spa, heat up within the sauna and take a look at 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 dearer. Hilton Honors members can e book for as little as 45,000 factors per evening.
Star Arctic Resort
The Lapland area of Finland is without doubt one of the finest locations on the planet to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, and within the village of Saariselka, the Star Arctic Resort is perhaps the most effective place to remain.
Perched atop the Kaunispaa mountain, the resort is precisely what you’d count on from a trendy Scandanavian resort — and actually, the design would possibly rival the fantastic thing about the aurora itself. Right here you’ll be able to e book a Scenic View Suite with large home windows to gaze on the lights or go for a glass-topped cabin so you’ll be able to see them from mattress with out even having to show over. For the total Finnish expertise, cease within the resort’s restaurant for regionally sourced reindeer meat and fish.
Relying on the time of yr you go to, charges fluctuate fairly dramatically. Charges throughout peak northern lights alternatives begin round $408 per evening.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
One other property on the record from Lapland in Finland is the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
It is recognized 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 gives in depth unbelievable actions like husky safaris, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and snowboarding. It is a winter wonderland that it’s a must to see to imagine.
Nightly charges begin round $587 per evening.
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Icehotel
Almost certainly, no two journeys to the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, would be the identical. That is as a result of annually, a brand new iteration of the resort 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 resort made from Mom Earth’s pure parts is unquestionably the one technique to do it. As for experiences, the resort can arrange dinners underneath the lights, pictures classes to learn to seize the proper picture of them and snowmobile safaris at evening for a high-speed technique to chase them.
Charges on the Icehotel rely on room sort however snow rooms will be discovered for between $300 and $500 an evening. As TPG reporter Emily McNutt discovered throughout her keep, you can too e book 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 e book that provide large home windows searching into the sky instantly from the mattress.
The resort gives 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 fully offered out for the $1,371 per particular person Aurora Viewing Bundle. However, you’ll be able to already submit a request to e book 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 title on it. Within the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland, this fashionable resort gives many free actions like snowshoeing through the winter months. The resort additionally gives delectable eating at its restaurant, Rakas.
Charges fluctuate all through the season however appear to begin within the excessive $700 vary and leap to over $1,000 an evening throughout peak season.
Eliassen Rorbuer
A resort within the Lofoten Islands in Norway, this property contains a collection of cottages utilized by fishermen within the storybook village of Hamnoy. Severely, it appears to be like like a scene from a Disney film.
In response to the resort, company can hunt the northern lights for 182 days of the yr whereas sleeping in waterfront cottages with giant skylights. Being on the water, company 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 lots of several types of lodging, from three-bedroom flats to small cottages, charges are typically very inexpensive and will be discovered beginning at $193 per evening.
Moxy Tromso
There is a purpose Moxy gained the TPG Award for Finest Reasonably priced Resort Model in 2023: It has every part a visitor may wish, together with a snug and enjoyable room, a vibey foyer and areas in attention-grabbing locations all around the globe. And that features Tromso, Norway, an unbelievable place to take a look at the northern lights.
At this Moxy, company can begin their mornings on the breakfast buffet earlier than exploring the city. Then, gear up for an evening of trying to find the lights with dinner and drinks at Sky Bar Moxy; simply be sure you ask for the key menu. And although the resort itself would not present northern lights excursions, it could actually level you in the best path for one of many many corporations within the space that do.
Charges on the Moxy Tromso begin at round $95 or 12,500 Marriott Bonvoy factors per evening.
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 consists of 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 large home windows excellent for gazing on the evening sky.
For charges and availability, head to the firm’s contact web page to submit particular details about the journey you are seeking to plan.
Arctic Bathtub
Take into account Arctic Bathtub a spa resort with a facet of northern lights tucked away in Sweden’s Lapland. Right here, you’ll be able to benefit from a contemporary tackle conventional Swedish spa rituals (assume: chilly baths, saunas and extra) through the day, after which spend the nights chasing the cosmos. It additionally has upscale eating that serves recent Scandinavian fare in a contemporary restaurant. However better of all, you do not have to strive too onerous to seek out the northern lights right here — simply clear skies and a bit of excellent fortune.
Charges at Arctic Bathtub begin at round $575 per evening.
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