Hotel Snapshot
Niehku Mountain Villa is a boutique hotel located in the very north of Sweden, in Swedish Lapland, and right on the national border between Sweden and Norway. You’re more than 120 miles north of the Arctic Circle here, and the views from every window are “wow.”
The unique luxury lodge, situated on the site of a historic train line, is a destination for adventurers and fitness fiends like me who also like luxury in the mix. You can hike in the summer and catch the northern lights and ski galore come winter, right from the property itself. The rooms are spacious and thoughtfully designed, and the food is second to none. Niehku’s small size means that anything and everything you could possibly want is always met with a “yes.” The service is personal, and the staff are on their game. But the atmosphere is homey here, with plenty of cozy corners and warm blankets to take in the panoramas and simply hang out.
Design & Character
At Niekhu, historic meets contemporary. The property is built on the site of an early 20th-century roundhouse, and that structure’s semi-circular wall passes through sections of the new building. One of the century-old greasing pits has been transformed into a wine cellar with a glass ceiling, now part of the restaurant’s floor. You can look underneath at the hundreds of bottles while you dine. Both the exterior and the interior favor natural materials and colors- think beiges, woods, and soft grays.
The Rooms
Understated luxury is the name of the game. The robes are soft, the showers are large and have great water pressure, but let me tell you about the beds. They’re outfitted with Hästens mattresses, which run $20,000 as a start, and gave me the best sleep I’ve had in as long as I can remember. I recommended springing for a suite, which has a separate sitting room with an impossibly comfortable couch.
The Food & Drink Situation
Dining and imbibing is an experience here. The kitchen makes use of nature’s best ingredients, local products, and the rich variety of the seasons, with an emphasis on wild game and fish from the surrounding forests, mountains, and lakes. Breakfast offers an ample buffet of in-house baked baded breads, eggs, fruit, caviar, and smoked meats. The chefs pack you lunches to go- think ham and focaccia sandwiches or a warming chicken soup rounded out by homemade energy bars and other sweet treats.
The star, however, is the elaborate multi-course dinners that last for hours into the night Your culinary journey might start with Kalix löjrom from the Gulf of Bothnia, continue via the forests of the Torne Valley and its moose, berries and mushrooms, wander over the mountaintops with reindeer and grouse, and cross the Norwegian border to the fish and shellfish of the Lofoten Islands.
Niekhu’s wine cellar is as well-stocked as it is spectacular and features the best of the wine-making regions of both the old and new world wine regions. The pours are generous, but they’re a well-deserved reward after a long day of being active outdoors.
The Amenities
The handholding service aside, Niekhu has a bar, where you can relax over pre-dinner cocktails, a gym, and a sauna, which was a dream to sit in to relieve my sore muscles as a result of my 14-mile hike. There’s also a massage room, which I took advantage of- the lodge’s massage therapist is excellent.
In addition, Niekhu offers hiking retreats in the summer with small group treks led by very knowledgeable and engaging guides. This is what I booked during my stay, and my guides, Andreas, gave us a great workout but also taught the group about the local traditions, wildlife, and fauna. And, he made sure to stop for tea breaks as well as a leisurely lunch.
Fast Facts
Location: Swedish Lapland
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Home away from home and laid-back, but with a decidedly sophisticated bend.
Room Count: 14- 12 standard and two suites
Starting Rate: From approximately SEK 6,795 per night, the equivalent of around $503
Food + Drink: You can grab small bites at the bar, and the dining room serves a five-course dinner plus a lavish breakfast buffet. You’re out all day hiking and skiing so the chefs pack lunch to go.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The pinch yourself to believe you’re really here ethereal setting and incredible service from a staff who will fast become your friends.
Closest Airport: Kiruna Airport is two hours by car
