Funken Lodge

This Scandi-Chic Arctic Outpost Is One Of The World’s Northernmost Boutique Hotels - Hotels Above Par - Boutique Hotels & Travel

"Housed in a converted 1940s lodging for mine administrative workers, this four-star lodge blends Scandinavian hygge with Arctic history — think wooden floors and walls, warm velvet furniture, plush individual duvets, and rain showers to warm up after exploring the tundra. The 88 compact, cozy rooms and suites include front-facing options with superb views of Platåfjellet and the settlement, especially dramatic during the midnight sun. Communal spaces encourage lingering: a fireside sitting area where guests sip spiked hot chocolate, a library lined with polar-expedition books, leather couches, vintage lamps and card tables for winter storms, and walls hung with black-and-white photos from the mining heyday. Dining is a highlight: the hotel's main restaurant, Funktionærmessen, is an upscale, stylish room serving Norwegian king crab, caviar and local reindeer with an extensive cellar (hundreds of vintages and dozens of Champagnes), plus a Scandinavian breakfast buffet of smoked salmon, eggs, bacon, pastries and fresh juice; the bar pours some of Longyearbyen’s best cocktails and offers a light lunch and dinner menu. Amenities include a small gym, sauna and meeting rooms, and the property follows a local tradition of removing outdoor shoes (with warm wool slippers provided), adding to its snug, welcoming vibe. Rates start around $196 per night, including breakfast, and it’s about a ten-minute walk to the town’s main drag."