Simplicity at its Finest

Reset Your Senses

An hour by boat west of Bodø, far out to sea you will find The Arctic Hideaway. Twelve unique buildings where the boundaries between human and nature disappear.

Your senses will be reset by the absence of artificial noise, or visual clutter. This is a place designed for focus and we believe there is nothing more focused than simplicity. Every line has been consciously drawn to connect you with the coastal elements so that you leave closer to your own senses, your own intuition. Your contribution is to continue with awareness once you leave.

The Norwegian name for the place is Fordypningsrommet, which means “The Immersion Room”. It is precisely that, a place of immersion in the natural environment of northern Norway. Here is an opportunity to dive into yourself.

There are no cars or shops on the island, but you won’t miss a thing.

Still curious? Visit our FAQ section:

Here we are reminded that immersion, calm, and silence is something that nowadays needs to be raised as an intrinsic value. That it is something we must seek out.

President of the Norwegian Parliament Olemic Thommesen in his opening speech in August 2016.

Being at the Hideaway

Once here activities are decidedly slow paced, and it’s up to you to do as much or as little as you feel. Of course, the ocean reminds us who is truly in control so let the elements decide on how you spend the day: the beach you discovered yesterday has disappeared. If you’ve never had a sauna in a storm then try it today.

The Arctic Hideaway is a lab, you become the experiment. Let yourself arrive and be open to learning.

We have created a place for simple pleasures; if you want planned activities then we kindly invite you to look elsewhere. Maybe you don’t like our jam, try the honey. When ground birds are nesting you can enjoy their noise but the path you hoped to walk might be closed. Chose another direction, or go for a row instead.

Our rowing boat is a beautiful way to get around the archipelago slowly (summer only). Take a fishing rod and source your own dinner….or simply enjoy observing.

Sustainability is not just a word here, we have a responsibility to be wise for the benefit of all in the archipelago. We are part of an island community of artists, fishermen and others. Short visits and tour travel take a heavy toll on them and their environment. But in exchange for conscious travel you could be invited to make art in our neighbour’s studio or welcomed to a spontaneous concert—many of the best experiences are made by coming open to meetings on the path or even before you arrive, through conversations on the boat. 

We challenge you to make a coffee break last all day or wake up early to light your own sauna. Come here to shake up schedules, or drop them altogether.

Sleep at the Hideaway

The Arctic Hideaway consists of 12 unique cabins, including six sleeping houses. The complex is ideal for groups, or families, who want space to be together but works equally well for individuals searching for a combination of privacy and coming together with other travellers.

The sleeping cabins are as follows:

  • 3x double cabins
  • 3x single cabins
  • An additional 2 cabins can be adapted into single sleeping spaces

As well as sleeping cabins, you’ll have the use of our kitchen house, studio house, Njalla (tower house inspired by Sami design), wood-fired sauna and bath house (plus two toilets).

Food and Drink

A breakfast buffet is available between 09:00 and 10:00. Simple, fresh, good food to start your day. Bread baked daily by your host and a simple selection of continental and cooked options await you.

During the day you eat as your body tells you. The kitchen is stocked with local cheese, meats, fruit and more so you can come in and help yourself to lunch. 

Here the evening meal is not just about food; it’s about conversation so we encourage a shared meal, prepared by one of your fellow guests, or you. The focus is fresh, local meat or seafood sourced from our rich, blue storehouse of an ocean. You’ll be amazed how simple your cravings are when you enjoy fewer choices. 

Alcohol is at your discretion – bring what you want to drink. Bring one more from your locality to share with new acquaintances.

Sustainable days of travel

We want to practice true sustainability not just attract you with a label. For this reason we don’t accept bookings of less than four nights and our price structure rewards stays of a week or more. We are part of a fragile island community and ecosystem which we have a responsibility to look after. Slow travel, fewer people for longer stays means less disruption for all.

In 2022 The Arctic Hideaway was awarded Norway’s Eco-Lighthouse certificate in recognition of our environmentally and socially responsible practices. But this is only the beginning. We continually assess the way we run to ensure we move closer to our sustainability goals. We are not just about facilitating creativity, we are leaders in travel that nurtures place, with ripples going beyond as we teach you how to do the same in the place you call home.

Short stays, frequent turn overs and unpredictable connections are not sustainable during the winter storms. For this reason we will close to regular bookings in December & January. If this period speaks to your soul get in touch to discuss possibilities for long stays over wild days.

Get in touch on booking@thearctichideaway.com

Booking request

    Public ferries run from the port in Bodø just 20 min walk from the airport. There are an average of 2 daily departures to and from the island which vary depending on the day of the week/season. We will assist you with choosing right boats, or even chartering a private boat should you wish.

    Please be aware that we can experience heavy weather all year round but especially in January, February & March when the ferries may not run. This is part of the reason we don’t take less than four night bookings – if you arrive one day later than planned you still have time to enjoy your stay.

    We have built twelve houses; six houses are for sleeping (duvets & pillows), one is a bath house ( toilets & shower ) one is meant for cooking & eating ( kitchen table, gas & induction), one is a chill-out zone/open studio house ( cozy chairs, stereo & NU1 piano ), one is a sauna and changing room (wood stove), another is meant for outdoor cooking ( gas & fire place), and finally, the last one is the iconic Tower House, a hang out zone with a day bed.

    Your sleeping cabin will have either a single or double bed, complete with bedding/towels, space to store your belongings, a small entrance area for shoes etc. and in some of the cabins there is a working space/desk.

    Wifi exists in the kitchen and studio houses. We are working on connecting all the sleeping cabins soon.

    Here we talk about THE ART OF DOING NOTHING and SIMPLICITY AT ITS FINEST. If you wish to chase the aurora or hope for a schedule of activity packed with promise of ‘a taste of Norway’ then this may not be the place for you because on this tiny island we have nothing….in the best way possible. No distractions from the brief minutes between the turning tide or the otter sliding down the bank with his prize, or that nagging thought that perhaps our goals are not actually ours but the ones we were told were ours…. If that sounds like you then we welcome you into space, time for yourself and pleasure in simplicity.

    Pack wool. Even in the summer. Pack for wind and pack for rain. And pack a pair of shorts for the sauna. Then you have packed perfectly.

    The beds will be ready for you when you arrive, we have towels for you, we have wood for the sauna.

    Our host will meet you at the dock upon your arrival to Fleinvær.

    This wonderful person makes sure that everything is running as smoothly as possible from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. They are here to give guidance on the facilities, and to guide you as to how to live in and around our village for the duration of your time on the island.

    The host also acts as a liaison between you and the local people and environment. Please find time to chat with them and enrich your stay through the information and discussions you will have. However, they are not chefs or kitchen staff, be prepared to contribute to cooking the communal evening meal and cleaning up after yourself. The host will prepare breakfast for all guests each morning but for the rest of the day you feed yourself.

    We bought the first estate in the arctic archipelago of in 2004, then we dug with spoons and forks the first years before we met Yashar & Andreas from TYIN architects in 2013 ,who immediately introduced us for their need for prof. Sami Rintala from RintalaEggertson arch. as a mentor. Which where totally perfect for us. Suddenly we had the two most published architect offices in Norway in our team. After ideas thrown forth and back, we started in august 2014 with a workshop for architect students, and after six workshops with students from all over the world and two years of building process led by multiskilled architects and designers Andrew Devine & Ruben Stranger, we now have twelve small houses in our small village. Let´s see if it stops there…

    Still curious about something? Visit our frequently asked questions.