This Year the Northern Lights Are Peaking—Here Are the Luxury Spots to Gaze at the Skies

Travel + Leisure

Published on Jan. 3, 2023

If you've ever seen a photo of the spectacular Northern Lights, you know that it’s a bucket list experience to see in person, and 2023 is the year to go chasing after them. Solar activity is peaking this year, which means that the sky is going to be filled with dazzling, vibrant shades of green, purple, and red colliding in ethereal displays. While the celestial show can be seen for free from many locations around the world in places like Alaska, Canada, Scotland and Norway, these out-of-this-world accommodations will offer you the chance to experience the lights in style.

Ion Adventure Hotel in Iceland

This modern hotel is located on the edge of Thingvellir National Park, one of the best spots in Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Ion Adventure Hotel puts you right in the heart of nature, so you can maximize your chance to see the aurora. The hotel offers a variety of activities, such as guided aurora hunting tours, snowmobiling, and glacier hiking.

The hotel's stylish rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. And after a day of exploring, you can relax in the hotel's outdoor hot tubs, which are also a great place to view the Northern Lights.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway

Spend a night (or a few) in a cozy igloo at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Norway. The hotel is made up of 24 igloos, each with its own private bathroom and glass ceiling for aurora viewing.

The hotel also offers a variety of activities, such as dog sledding, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. And if you're lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the resident reindeer herd.

Apukka Resort in Finland

Apukka Resort, located in Finland's Lapland region, is a great place to see the Northern Lights. The resort offers a variety of accommodations, including cabins, chalets, and glass igloos.

The resort also features activities galore, such as snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, and ice fishing. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even take a dip in the Arctic Ocean in a traditional Finnish sauna.

Treehotel in Sweden

If you're looking for a truly unique experience, book a night at the Treehotel in Harads, Sweden. The hotel's seven treehouses are suspended high above the ground, offering stunning views of the surrounding forest and the Northern Lights.

Each treehouse is uniquely designed, and some even have features like glass walls, hot tubs, and rooftop terraces. And if you're lucky, you might even spot a moose or a bear wandering through the forest below.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland is a winter wonderland that offers a variety of accommodations, including glass igloos, snow igloos, and log cabins.

The resort also features a variety of activities, such as snowmobiling, reindeer safaris, and ice fishing. And if you're feeling brave, you can even take a dip in the Arctic Ocean in a traditional Finnish sauna.

No matter where you choose to go, seeing the Northern Lights is a truly awe-inspiring experience. So start planning your trip today, and get ready to witness one of nature's most amazing spectacles.