Andy's blog posts

Mark McFaul

The Arctic Bath Hotel

Written by Mark McFaul
Monday, 02 March 2020

If there is one thing Sweden does right, it’s innovative architecture. From the original ICEHOTEL® to the world-famous Treehotel, if you’re looking for a memorable night’s stay, you will not be disappointed with Sweden’s offerings - and with newest addition The Arctic Bath Hotel, you are quite frankly spoilt for choice.

The Arctic Bath is a wellness retreat with an extra special touch that only the Swedish could execute. Built to float on the stunning Lule River during the summer and freeze in place throughout the winter, the hotel offers the ultimate back-to-nature experience year-round.

Connected by floating walkways, the circular Arctic Bath features four saunas, a spa treatment room, a hot bath, outdoor and indoor showers and two dressing rooms. As per Nordic tradition, there is also a cold-water bath for guests to take an icy plunge and add to their wellbeing experience. Guests can choose to stay in one of the six floating cabins or land-based cabins. On land, you can make use of the huge glass windows facing north to search the skies for the Auroras or bask in the Midnight Sun and in the floating cabins, you can enjoy a brilliant view from your wooden deck outside. Learn more on our accommodation page here or scroll to discover everything that’s on offer here.

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Joanna Robertson

Sweden's world-famous ICEHOTEL® is open for 2019!

Written by Joanna Robertson
Monday, 16 December 2019

A Night at the Theatre 2 Credit Jonathan Paul Green Marnie Green Asaf Kliger Icehotel

"A Night at the Theatre", art suite designed by Jonathan Green and Marnie Green 

When the plans for this winter's ICEHOTEL® were revealed in September, we couldn’t wait to see the finished Art Suites. The good news is that the wait is finally over!

Joanna Robertson

What you need to know about the Northern Lights

Written by Joanna Robertson
Tuesday, 12 November 2019

mustavaara auroras 7 of 19

It might still feel very much like autumn here in the UK but the snow has most definitely arrived in the Arctic Circle! The onset of the new winter season is something that we get very excited about here at Artisan Travel. Not only do the winter months allow for a whole range of exciting Arctic activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, but they also give our clients some of the first opportunities to go in search of the Northern Lights!

Joanna Robertson

Get ready to celebrate, ICEHOTEL® number 30 is on its way!

Written by Joanna Robertson
Thursday, 05 September 2019

A night at the theatre Jonathan Paul Green Marnie Green2

"A Night at the Theatre", art suite created by Jonathan Green and Marnie Green 

Summer might be drawing to a close but that doesn't mean it is time to pack up your passport just yet! Here at Artisan Travel we think there is plenty to get excited about when it comes to the winter months. Not only are there thrilling Arctic adventures to look forward to but equally as exciting is the fact that Sweden’s world-famous ICEHOTEL® has released its plans for this year as they celebrate their 30th birthday!

Joanna Robertson

Our top 5 breaks for this October

Written by Joanna Robertson
Friday, 16 August 2019

Francisco Correia and Visit Madeira 5 2

Summer might be steadily drawing to a close but that doesn’t have to be the end of your adventures until the snow rolls in during the months of November and December. In fact, here at Artisan Travel we believe that October can be an excellent chance to get away and avoid some fantastic destinations whilst avoiding the busier summer crowds.

So, whether you are looking to soak up the last of the summer’s sun or head north for an Arctic adventure, let us inspire you to get away this October with five of our favourite trips for this often-overlooked time of the year!

Joanna Robertson

New wonders at the ICEHOTEL©

Written by Joanna Robertson
Tuesday, 19 December 2017

The ICEHOTEL© has opened its door for another year and we believe that it is more impressive than ever. 

Founded in 1989, the ICEHOTEL© has developed into an internationally recognised brand, especially known for its incredible artwork. Each year at the start of winter the hotel is designed and built from scratch from thousands of huge ice blocks harvested from the Torne River which is then carefully sculpted into an amazing architectural building.

medium art suite hang in there icehotel 28 Design Marjolein Vonk Maurizio Perron. Photo Asaf Kliger 2

Allan Cooper

Dog Sledding in Sörbyn

Written by Allan Cooper
Monday, 27 February 2017

After a short stay at Brändön Lodge, we continued our journey north and ventured further into the Lappish wilderness. We were heading for a small village called Sörbyn, in Northern Sweden, where we would undertake perhaps the most anticipated activity. Dog sledding conjures up a variety of magical images but nothing quite compares to the reality.

We arrived at the location of our activity in the early afternoon but already the sun had begun its descent casting an orange glow on the surrounding snow. Three teams of dogs lay in wait and the moment they saw us approach they began to realise the time had come for another journey. Never before had I witnessed such excitement amongst dogs. They were eager to set off, climbing on top of one another, barking and trying to pull a sleigh which was anchored into the snow.

For the first half of the tour, two of us would control our own sleigh and the other two would sit on the guide's sled, then we would swap over. As the guide went through a list of instructions on how to control the dogs I began to feel quite nervous, and as a gentleman was about to offer my companions the opportunity to have their own sleds. Unfortunately, my colleague seemed equally nervous and had sat down on the guide's sled before he had finished speaking and thus I had no choice but to throw myself straight into it.

Michael Sweden trip 46ssssssss

Graham Hughes

The 7th Room is finally here!

Written by Graham Hughes
Wednesday, 01 February 2017

The magnificent Treehotel in Swedish Lapland has finally opened their latest accommodation - the new 7th Room.

TREEHOTEL BLOG

Dawn Rawlings

Introducing ICEHOTEL 365

Written by Dawn Rawlings
Thursday, 01 December 2016

The world’s first ICEHOTEL was founded in 1989, and for 27 years it has been constructed from ice taken from the frozen Torne River in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden - destined to melt away come spring for the process to be repeated the following year. This year welcomes an addition to this cycle with the construction of the fantastic new ICEHOTEL® 365- a year-round icy experience.

entrance icehotel 365 Photo Asaf Kliger www.icehotel2

Graham Hughes

The New Addition to The Treehotel: Meet the 7th Room

Written by Graham Hughes
Friday, 11 November 2016

The Swedish masterpiece that is the Treehotel has become a bucket list item, making travellers eager for an unforgettable night amongst the treetops. Now, they’ve expanded their unique portfolio of impressive contemporary accommodation to bring you the brand new magical ‘7th Room’

7th room Snhetta 2

Super User

Originally born and bred in Kent, Jono studied at Newcastle University and now lives in Northumberland. Jono started working here in early 2014, within the Product and Operations Department and is responsible for sourcing new holiday products and managing existing ones.

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Dawn Rawlings

The Treehotel - A tree-top adventure in Sweden

Written by Dawn Rawlings
Monday, 16 June 2014

The Treehotel: a name that instantly makes your imagination run riot. Surely they can't be in the trees? How big are they?

What do they look like and just how did they make them? These were all questions that popped into my head and I soon began counting down the days until I would get to see this special place and get some answers.

My colleague Amy and I travelled to Sweden in mid-May on a tour of new and existing locations that we work with. Although we had seen many pictures of the Treehotel and spoken to the owners, Kent and Britta several times, we had both built up a picture of the Treehotel in our minds and we were keen to see whether it lived up to our expectations. After seeing it and staying there, it's safe to say that it really is an incredibly special place that is certainly worth a visit.

cabin

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