The guide to unusual places to stay in Sweden

For a luxurious experience in the heart of the Arctic nature, check in to the Arctic Bath spa hotel that floats on the Lule River in Lapland. There are floating cottages, land cottages and luxurious suites with panoramic windows and unique Scandinavian design. As well as a spa with a sauna and a cold plunge, the hotel has a restaurant where fine dining with local flavours takes centre stage. In 2025, Arctic Bath also became a Michelin-starred hotel.

In an isolated former lighthouse keeper's house at the very edge of the coastline, you will find this internationally acclaimed boutique hotel, an exclusive destination with the dramatic nature of the West Coast as its backdrop. Check in to nine carefully renovated rooms, dine on seasonally inspired seafood dishes, and drink wine from the hotel's wine cellar. In summer you can also book an outdoor bed and sleep under the stars.

Would you like to spend a night in an igloo while enjoying a luxurious and relaxing glamping experience in the Stockholm archipelago? Then Igloo Escape is the place for you. Take a break from everyday life and gaze out at both the sunrise and sunset through large panoramic windows, barbecue on the terrace, have a sauna and go kayaking.

What would it be like to stay in an architect-designed cabin in the woods, enjoy nature and feel the tranquillity of the Swedish countryside? Swedish Country Living has several charming hermit cabins in Dalsland with room for two guests. Enjoy sustainable accommodation with self-produced food and access to walks and paddling.

Salt & Sill on Klädesholmen is, according to them, Sweden's first floating hotel, which of course is exciting in itself. With a sea view, Scandinavian design and granite in the bathrooms, they have everything you need for a salt-drenched stay on the West Coast. In other words, a unique and ideal place to stay for anyone  who wants to get as close to the water as possible.

Do you long to escape to a deserted island? The Haven Islands have two unique treehouses, each on its own private island in the middle of Sweden. One of the treehouses is a work of art, designed by an architectural firm in France, winding its way up the trees over several storeys with flowing shapes and large windows. Unwind with a breathtaking view over the lake. Nearby there are hiking trails, paddling, snowmobiles and plenty of other ways to explore nature.

If you'd rather stay in a castle, the award-winning Teleborg Castle in Växjö might be just what you're looking for. You'll stay in a fairy-tale castle setting with turrets and towers. Check in for a romantic stay, a weekend away, or just a little everyday luxury. Teleborg Castle has also been named Kronoberg's greatest wonder, so if you're hoping for a marvel you'll find it right here.

The most spectacular accommodation in Malmö may well be the Grand Circus Hotel, which is located on an old railway yard near the city centre. Stay in colourful circus wagons, each with its own theme, such as The Snake Charmer, The Ballerina, The Clown and The Magician. Or why not check in to The Mad Inventor, a wagon that also has its own “mystery game” to solve?

On the Indalsälven river, north-west of Sundsvall, this completely unique cabin is designed to blend into the landscape. The cabin, comprising a conical ground floor and a cylindrical upper storey (like a keyhole), has a cosy sleeping space for two, a simple kitchen and a wood-fired sauna with a breathtaking view of the water. So simple and yet so luxurious at the same time.

If you want to be close to nature but enjoy a more comfortable stay, you can treat yourself to an overnight stay at the organic vineyard Ästad Vingård in Tvååker. There are several exciting accommodations to choose from, but what stands out the most is perhaps Sjöparken, where you have your own private jetty with a natural pool just outside your room. The estate also features a tranquil spa and Michelin-starred restaurant Äng.

In Nacka, just outside Stockholm, you can let your hobbit dream come true and stay in a small hobbit house with round doors and windows. This popular bed & breakfast is perfect for anyone who loves The Lord of the Rings and want to try life as a real hobbit. Sleep in a canopy bed, relax by the open fire, go for walks and have two breakfasts.

Tucked away in the Småland forest lies this unique hotel with forest suites designed by the celebrated architect Gert Wingårdh. A perfect option for design lovers who crave a truly close-to-nature experience. You can also unwind here with a wood-fired sauna and a wood-fired bath in the middle of the forest. The hotel's restaurant serves seasonally inspired menus featuring local produce.

Discover a truly unusual hotel with a spectacular panoramic view 70 metres above the sea. The Falcon's Nest consists of only a single boutique room, situated in an old observation post at Scandinavia's oldest lighthouse in the beautiful Kullaberg nature reserve. Sleep in a round bed hanging from the ceiling and enjoy the view and the proximity to the water and the village of Mölle.

The Treehotel in Lapland is one of the more talked-about tree hotels in Sweden and consists of several unique cabins designed by Scandinavian architects. Sleep up among the trees in creative constructions that all blend into the landscape in their own way. As a guest you can experience nature year-round and treat yourself to fine dining in the restaurant or on the ice under the stars.

In a former limestone factory in the north-east of Gotland, this unique hotel often features in fashion editorials and other productions. Accommodation includes everything from standard rooms to small hermit cabins and a full apartment with an industrial backdrop. Treat yourself to a tasting menu with local produce in the restaurant and explore the surrounding nature on the hotel's bikes.

At Kolarbyn, or “Sweden's wildest hotel” as they like to call themselves, you can check into a charcoal-burner's hut in the middle of the forest and live like the old charcoal burners did in times past. Get as close to nature and the simple life as possible. Warm yourself by the open fire, fetch water from the well, and chop your own firewood. There are plenty of walks and other adventures and experiences nearby.

If you haven't tried the famous Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi yet, perhaps it's time. The Icehotel is completely rebuilt every year and offers specially designed suites made entirely of snow and ice. As a guest you sleep in minus five degrees, but the rooms have cosy beds with soft reindeer pelts and extra-warm sleeping bags. Check in all year round and experience both the Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun.

Experience the tranquillity of the forest just outside Hjo. Live completely “off-grid” in self-sufficient “tiny houses” in the heart of nature. Inforest's houses are built in a tasteful, modern style with sustainable materials, solar panels and innovative battery charging for minimal climate impact, and there's both an indoor kitchen and an outdoor barbecue area. The houses also have large windows that let you look out onto nature even when you are indoors.

If you want a luxurious castle stay unlike any other, you can rent the corner suite or one of the former staff quarters residences at Merlo Castle, in Timrå in Västernorrland. The castle was built by the sawmill owner Fredrik Bünsow in the 19th century and is perfect for a slightly more private stay with self-catering.

Islanna Treehouse Hotel is on an organic farm near Falköping that has been in the same family for generations since the 18th century. Stay among the treetops several metres above the ground, surrounded by the rustle of leaves. The charming treehouses are rustic in style and have their own balconies from which to look out. In the morning a breakfast hamper is hoisted up with home-baked bread and other goodies.

Stay overnight in a heated hut, tepee, with glass walls and a glass roof that let you enjoy the landscape of northern Sweden. If you're lucky you can experience the northern lights from the front row in autumn and winter, but otherwise the starry sky is of course also a spectacular backdrop. From time to time you can also see the International Space Station (ISS) pass by.

For anyone seeking a different kind of accommodation in Luleå, Ice & Light Village is a good option. Stay in an igloo-like cabin in the middle of the forest with large windows that give you views of the surrounding nature. There's also a chance to see the Northern Lights and to spot wild animals. With the forest and the archipelago all around, there are year-round activities to take part in.

In a small village in Jämtland, Borgvattnet's Prästgård & Vandrarhem is known as one of Sweden's most haunted places. Strange things have happened here since 1927. If you dare, you can spend the night in one of the rooms or even book the entire parsonage or hostel – a hair-raising experience that attracts both ghost hunters and curious visitors.

At family-run Mangévie you can experience Dalarna in every season. As well as apartments, houses and a cottage, they have several exciting glamping options that make the stay a little more special, including a treehouse with Scandinavian interior design and views of the forest. You can also book a private wellness area with a hot tub and sauna, as well as a barbecue dinner in their Lapland-style grill cabin.