The best cabins, chalets, and igloos to cosy up in this winter
The most magical time of the year is fast approaching, which means the hunt to find a luxury lodge in a snow-globe setting is on. To narrow down your search, here are some of our favourite cosy corners to warm up in after hitting the slopes or going for crisp, countryside walks – from floating cabins in Swedish Lapland to igloo-pods with Nordic baths in the Alps.
Arctic Bath, Harads – Sweden
The über-cool Arctic Bath floats and freezes on the Lule River from one season to the next beneath the Northern Lights and midnight sun. Reminiscent of a Viking boat house, though with all the comforts of a contemporary Scandinavian cabin, this floating wellness retreat houses twelve sustainably constructed, glass-fronted lodges hovering above land and water and inspired by the surrounding forest. Take your pick from ice bathing, moose safari, wilderness and wildlife photography, and husky sledding, before warming up in the sauna or beside the natural fireplaces.
Storfjord, Skodje – Norway
With an open fireplace at every turn, including the lounge, dining room, and suites, this secluded woodland retreat lives up to its log cabin look and Scandinavian folktale feel. The scent of timber hangs in the air at Storfjord, while a calming combination of traditional Norwegian features and rustic yet refined design, with a soothing palette, snug corners, and carefully selected art and antiques awaits guests inside.
For spellbinding views over the fjords, make yourself comfortable on the outdoor patio complete with a Viking-esque pan-fire.
Le Coucou Méribel, Méribel – France
Snuggled into the Méribel mountainside with Le Rond-Point des Pistes on its ski-in, ski-out doorstep, Le Coucou reinvents the classic chalet as a chic slope-side retreat with Pierre Yovanovitch interiors. Watch skiers on the Belvédère piste from your suite’s balcony, chocolat chaud in hand, or hit the slopes with personalised equipment set up each day for you in the elegant Ski Room, with its own take-off terrace.
Le Coucou Méribel photographed by @mister_tripper
Return to your impossibly stylish suite, or one of the two independent chalets to be cocooned in a world of sink-into teddy bear chairs, soft fabrics and alpine woodwork.
the green o, Montana – USA
Nestled among the towering trees of a Montana ranch, a stay in any of the four ‘haus’ designs at the green o will feel like the ultimate back-to-nature hideaway. There are endless ways to enjoy the soul-stirring surroundings – star gaze through the skylight above your bed, or from your rooftop deck. Soak up the solitude from the hot tub – or through floor-to-ceiling windows. Roast s’mores around your outdoor fireplace – or enjoy the flickering flames from the comfort of your bed. Pick a Tree Haus, elevated 15 feet in the air, and you’ll feel as though you’re sleeping among the clouds.
The Fish Hotel, Cotswolds – UK
Set within the 400-acre Farncombe Estate is The Fish Hotel, a village-style collection of houses, huts and hideaways made for cosy Cotswold getaways. Nestled into the hillside of this back to nature bolthole are the most charming luxury cabins, complete with underfloor heating, en-suite bathrooms (some with free-standing bathtubs), and cosy lounge areas beside a wood burner for toasting s’mores and drinking hot choccie.
If you want to push the boat out, Boaty McBoatface comes with its very own paddle boat for you to relax on whilst floating around your own private lake, or pop across to your private island complete with decking and comfortable seating.
For more of an arboreal retreat, enjoy the hotel’s woodland setting from up close (and up high!) in three Treehouse suites – wrapped around large Oak trees with two heated outdoor baths on a spacious decking area.
Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge, Val Thorens – France
Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge is a traditional ski lodge which has been given a thoroughly modern makeover. After a day on the slopes, the friendly service and chic interiors wrap you in warm, welcoming luxury. For out-of-this-world privacy, star gaze from one of two igloo pods perched on the roof of Hôtel Pashmina – one comes with a Nordic bath with views of the Péclet massif, while the other overlooks the dramatic Caron peak. Both pods have been designed with a geodesic structure used in polar expeditions for the ultimate sleep-in-the-snow experience.
Hotel Rangá, Hella – Iceland
With log cabin warmth, geothermal hot tubs in the snow and connections to all sorts of glacier adventures, Hotel Rangá is just about as cool as they come. Your bedroom or suite will be a snug yet spacious hideaway crafted from wood – with staggering views. There’s a lounge and bar for hot chocolates or hot toddies, plus a state-of-the-art observatory to watch the sky come alive – simply press a button for a Northern Lights wake-up call and the Rangá team will bundle you up in bespoke blankets and Golden Circle-proof clothing.
Cordée des Alpes Hotel, Verbier – Switzerland
A warm welcome awaits every guest at Cordée des Alpes Hotel, a stylish wooden ski lodge which has been thoughtfully designed to integrate with the surrounding alpine architecture. Step inside the chalet-inspired reception to a crackling fireplace, decorated with vintage skis.
Many of the rooms and suites come with their own hearths, including the Prestige Suites and Cordelette Penthouse, to let your muscles thaw after a day on the slopes.
Le Refuge de la Traye, Méribel – France
Taking inspiration from classic Savoie design, the eco-luxury chalets of Le Refuge de la Traye are dotted about a miniature hamlet hidden away in the Alps. After a day on the famous slopes of Les 3 Vallées, hang up your boots and relax by the fireplace with a glass of fine Savoyard wine or a locally inspired cocktail. Families and larger groups can snuggle down in the Edelweiss Cottage which centres around a large living room with a fireplace, oozing laid-back luxury.
Goldene Rose Karthaus, Schnals – Italy
Tucked away on the Italian-Austrian border, every element of Goldene Rose Karthaus is in harmony with the great outdoors. Wake up in your naturally-inspired bedroom to breath-taking views of the glaciers from your private terrace, then step outside into the crystal-clear air and relax under the pine trees in the open-air sauna. For those looking to feel even closer to nature, the hotel can arrange a night in an igloo tucked into a nearby glacier, or the Bellavista mountain refuge, an eco-friendly shelter set 2,845 meters high in the Senales Valley, surrounded by ice of the dangling Hochjochferner glacier.