“The idea behind Arctic Bath was born at Treehotel. And I think this is also an important part of the story. How new crazy things inspire other crazy people to do crazy things that nobody says is possible. We are not competing with each other, we are completing each other—working together and bringing people to each other. That's the way that we work with tourism in this area.”
We're in great company with Maarten Raes and Peter Engström, two of the original visionary partners behind Arctic Bath, a one-of-a-kind hotel, spa, and restaurant floating on the serene Lule River in Swedish Lapland, where frost-covered forests transform with the seasons and the Northern Lights dance above the Arctic landscape.
Here, they have reimagined what luxury means—not through excess, but through authenticity, nature, and slow travel. What makes Arctic Bath so extraordinary is the quiet conviction behind it—the grit it took to build something real, a team committed to genuine hospitality, and a philosophy that proves luxury is found in connection, not consumption.
In this winter episode, we discover how slowing down in the Arctic teaches us what truly matters—and why some of the most meaningful travel experiences happen when we stop rushing and start listening.
Top Takeaways
[9:50] The story behind Arctic Bath's iconic circular main building meant to mimic timber logs jamming in rapids—and how architect Bertil Harström designed it as a visual tribute to the Lule River's legacy.
[15:20] Amidst construction delays, a pandemic six weeks after opening, and countless late nights fixing things behind the scenes, Peter quietly delivered a serene sanctuary for their first season of worldly guests.
[19:10] The Michelin Key arrived not for the rooms, the architecture, or the food alone—but for the intangible thing guests keep trying to describe—the genuine warmth of a team that chose to create something real.
[21:45] Three ways to experience Arctic Bath: Land and Suite cabins offer spacious luxury, while floating Water rooms let you swim from your bed in summer and listen to the ice sing beneath you in winter.
[24:45] The sauna and cold plunge ritual—rooted in centuries of Nordic living—transforms guests and locals alike, awakening something so natural that no manufactured wellness experience at home can replicate.
[27:10] Each plate at Arctic Bath tells a story—of the river, the forest, the northern lights—translating the landscape into something guests can taste compliments of the relationships with local fishermen, farmers, and herders.
[29:40] A winter day unfolds: dogsledding or snowshoe hiking with locals, Sámi stories shared around an open fire, a luxurious Swedish spa experience—and if you're fortunate, the Northern Lights dancing above in the endless night sky.
[32:45] Arctic Bath's sustainability runs deeper than awards—it's woven into every choice, a commitment to nurturing the small businesses and community that make this place possible.
