Being out in the heart of the arctic wilderness doesn’t mean you’ll be roughing it at this luxury cabin retreat. Wide open landscapes and dreamy night skies await you at ÆRA Hotel.
It’s that time of year again, and I just returned from chasing the northern lights in Tromsø, Norway. Naturally, I wanted to find the best place book for my stay, and during my research all signs pointed me towards ÆRA Hotel.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. This hotel is not for city slickers who tremble at the idea of being miles away from any nightlife or shopping. It’s a good 30-40 minute drive from Tromsø, which is already a relatively isolated city north of the Arctic Circle.
But the remote (and seriously incredible) location is precisely what makes ÆRA beautiful. It’s also why it’s the premier place to stay in Tromsø when you want the best views of the brilliant night skies from your bedroom.
But to be fair, the hotel is a lot more convenient than it sounds. They go the extra mile to make your experience as comfortable as possible, offering upmarket amenities and exceptional service.
Ready to learn more? Here’s all you need to know about booking a stay at ÆRA Hotel.
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ÆRA: At a Glance
ÆRA Hotel is a brand-new resort that’s quickly earning a reputation as one of the best luxury experiences near Tromsø. There’s a reason it’s getting a reputation as the place to stay if you want a high-end northern lights viewing experience when you visit northern Norway.
The location was (and incredibly beautiful), the accommodation is super-stylish, and many rooms have exceptional views of the northern lights. Also, the staff was friendly and accommodating from the start.
But since it’s brand new, I’d be lying if I said everything was perfect. There were a couple of hiccups related to transportation and I think they should upgrade a couple of things in the rooms to really optimise the experience for guests.
But all in all, I think it’s a fabulous resort and wanted to provide you with a guide to staying at ÆRA Hotel on your next visit to Norway.
ÆRA: The Full Review
Location 4/5
You can’t talk about ÆRA Hotel without mentioning the location. After all, it’s pretty much the reason you’re here in the first place. Located about 40 minutes northeast of Tromsø, ÆRA is situated on a beautiful lakefront in the fjords. I’m not joking; when I first pulled up to the boutique resort’s driveway, my jaw was nearly on the icy ground.
First things first, you will need a car to get here. You can arrange this through the hotel, and they actually had free car hire for bookings when I made my reservation.
The remote location is AMAZING for chasing the northern lights – away from the bright lights of Tromso in a beautiful lakefront location.
But it also offers plenty to do on land and at sea in the daytime. Hiking trails, kayaking adventures, and epic vistas surround the northern Norwegian landscape, making it a perfect option for travellers looking to get out and enjoy the scenery.
You’re also close to other good northern lights spotting locations, like Oldervik, a small but picturesque village just a short drive away.
Style 5/5
Though I said this isn’t necessarily a hotel geared towards people longing for a city break, make no mistake about it – rooms at ÆRA are packed with style.
The cabins have an authentically Scandinavian chic vibe, with lots of natural wood, earthy tones, and minimalist design. It is at once modern and a nod to traditional Northern European style.
Decidedly trendy furniture is appealing to the eye but is actually quite comfortable.
The beds (staring right out at the icy mountains and inlet) featured a live-edge, hardwood frame with an all-too-cosy mattress on top. Even in the most basic rooms, there are MCM touches like chic coffee tables and a hammock chair to chill out on.
I was also impressed by the geometric backsplash in the open-air kitchen and spice jars, which added a homey touch to the cosy cottage.
Rooms 4/5
As I said, the rooms are stylish, but they also pay attention to comfort and convenience in most of the details. That said, there was room for improvement that would help make the most of the space.
My accommodation was one of the glass Aurora cabins and I’d totally recommend it. The floor-to-ceiling windows at the foot of the bed offered stunning views of the landscape and bright night skies.
But one thing that stood out for me was the need for a closet or dresser.
There was nowhere to put my clothes, so I literally ended up with little piles of things on top of my suitcase. This is particularly not great when the cabin is on the small side to begin with.
The kitchen was cool and had basics like coffee and tea, but dropping off a bit of fresh milk when you’re miles from the nearest market would’ve been a thoughtful touch (especially at the rather high hotel rates).
But you’re mainly here for the views, and they really are exceptional. The Panorama Glass Lodge has even larger windows, opening up to the nighttime skies.
If you’re on a budget, you can choose the standard one-bedroom cabins and enjoy the same epic views just steps from your accommodation.
Experience 4/5
Staying at ÆRA is an incredible experience I’d recommend anyone do when visiting Tromsø for the first time. It really captures everything about the remote fjord landscape, and you have pretty much everything you need on the property.
Here’s a look at a few different hotel services and amenities.
Getting There
Getting to the rural landscape from Tromsø Airport (TOS) requires a car, and lucky you (and me), they offer a complimentary car hire when you book certain packages.
When I first made my travel plans, I was stoked about this, but it didn’t go exactly as smoothly as I had hoped. I didn’t receive a response with details until the day we were due to arrive, despite chasing it with a few emails and texts.
They did come through in the end, collecting us from the airport and taking us to the car the next day. It was a bit glitchy, given that I’d booked more than three months prior, but it might have just been a fluke.
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Northern Lights
This is really where the hotel shines. From the epic location, miles from any city lights, to the friendly and informative staff – they have northern lights viewing down to a science.
The team was super helpful and used WhatsApp to set me up with Aurora alerts in real-time (until midnight). This made it a lot easier to chase the elusive aurora, which came in my hand when – voila – I captured them on the camera I set up shortly before dinner.
Winter Activities
You can really make the most out of staying at ÆRA in the wintertime by taking advantage of the winter activities they offer.
In addition to northern lights vistas, you can ask the staff for recommendations on local hikes or go horseback riding through the snow at Tromsø Lyngshest down the road – and when you’re finished, you can sweat it out in their sauna (bookable for private sessions).
Summer Activities
If you’re visiting in the summer, the hotel comes to life with activities during the warmer afternoons and under the midnight sun. There’s a nice swimming pool on the property, and you’re only a few steps away from the water.
My advice? Rent a kayak and paddle out for one of the most scenic settings in Norway.
You can also rent a fishing pole for 150 NOK (£11) or take advantage of the sauna for 100 NOK (£7.40).
Food & Drink 4/5
Because you’re a long way away from any sort of village, I was looking forward to the fact that there was a restaurant on the property. There are also full kitchens, which you can take full advantage of as long as you buy some food before you leave Tromsø.
The restaurant itself was good, but had a very limited dinner menu. This isn’t ideal when you’re miles away from any town centre with shops or restaurants.
You can dine in the restaurant or take advantage of private dinners delivered to your cabin.
Alternatively, you can book a Lavuu dining experience, where you have dinner in a traditional tipi-style Sami tent. Enjoy a traditional meat or seafood stew by a campfire for around NOK 330 (£24.50) per person.
While I’d suggest cooking a meal or two on your own, the breakfasts (also delivered straight to the cabin) are excellent. They have a splendid stack of pancakes that I can’t recommend enough.
Practical Tips: ÆRA Review
- If the rental car isn’t priced into your room rate, I’d recommend hiring a car through another option, rather than arranging it through the hotel.
- Be sure to get a 4×4 vehicle if you hire a car on your own.
- Take advantage of the hotel’s aurora updates on WhatsApp for up-to-date information on where to see the northern lights.
- Book your accommodation in advance to get the exact cabin you want, especially during peak northern lights viewing dates.
Map
Read More Tromsø Guides
- Brilliant Things to do in Tromsø, Norway
- 3 Days in Tromsø Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Tromsø
- Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø: The Full Lowdown
- A Snowy Sami Reindeer Experience in Tromsø
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