Wood Hotel Bodø: An Arctic resort in Northern Norway

Can you picture yourself sitting in a heated outdoor hot tub on the eighth floor? The water around you steams in the freezing air, and on the horizon, the silhouette of the Lofoten Wall takes shape—that legendary chain of mountain peaks that seems to plunge into the sea. That’s not some far-fetched fantasy in Bodø. It’s just a Tuesday evening at the Wood Hotel.

Wood Hotel Bodø opened its doors in May 2024 atop Ronvikfjellet, a seven-minute drive from downtown Bodø. Built from solid wood and glulam, with furniture crafted by local artisans, it is more than just a place to stay. It’s a statement that, in Arctic nature, you don’t have to choose between adventure and comfort.

Read more about Bodø, Ronvikfjellet, and the surrounding area here.

The hotel: wood as a philosophy

Wood Hotel Bodø isn’t just a hotel that happens to be built of wood. Here, wood is at the heart of everything: from the architectural choices to the brand name. The structural framework consists of solid wood and glulam from FSC-certified Scandinavian forests. Thanks to this choice, the building’s carbon footprint is a full 45 percent lower than that of steel and concrete.

The floor covering in the hallways is woven from recycled fishing nets—a nod to the region’s maritime tradition. The furniture is from Slettvoll in the Geiranger Fjord; fabrics from Gudbrandsdalens Uldvarefabrik; lamps from Hadeland Glassverk. The fireplace is made of soapstone from Kvam, the slate from Otta. Norway is literally embedded in the walls.

The artwork in the lobby and restaurant was created by Queen Sonja of Norway, known for her passion for hiking in Nordland. Seven hand-colored graphic works inspired by the Lofoten Islands. The rooms feature photographs by Ann Cathrin Buchardt, court photographer to the Norwegian royal family.

Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller, The Times, and the Financial Times hailed the hotel as one of the most exciting hotel destinations of 2024 upon its opening, and as an example of how sustainable architecture can transform the hotel industry.

Rooms and apartments: huge windows, views of everything

The 177 rooms and apartments range from standard rooms with mountain views to spacious junior suites and apartments with private kitchens. Nearly every room features panoramic windows. Guests describe beds that face directly toward the view, so you wake up to the sea, mountains, and city right before your eyes.

Room Types

• Standard Mountain View: the entry-level room, featuring mountain views and all basic amenities.
• Superior Ocean View: views of the sea and the Lofoten Islands. Wheelchair-accessible rooms available.
• Junior Suite: 6th floor, panoramic windows, extra space, and a sitting area.
• Apartments: 32 fully equipped apartments offering hotel-style comfort, ideal for extended stays or families.

All rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a bathrobe, a coffee maker, and a minibar. Breakfast is included with every stay.

Restaurant ATTME and Café Turisthytta: Arctic Flavors

The name ATTME comes from the local dialect of Bodø and the Salten region; it means something like “to be next to someone or something,” a term historically used by sailors who docked alongside another ship. You couldn’t think of a better name for a restaurant on the seventh floor with views of fjords and mountains.

ATTME serves Northern Norwegian cuisine made with local ingredients: salmon from the Salten region, halibut with asparagus and brown butter—traditional family recipes reimagined. Not fusion for fusion’s sake, but Norwegian culinary heritage with a contemporary twist.

On the ground floor is Café Turisthytta, named after the historic mountain hut that stood here as early as 1890, serving as a starting point for hikers. You can also pack your backpack here: the café offers takeout options if you want to head up the mountain early.

Breakfast is served on the seventh floor, featuring freshly smoked bacon, Norwegian waffles, ginger shots, and the view as an appetizer.

Pool & Wellness: Enjoy the ocean view while you float

The eighth floor is reserved for relaxation. The outdoor pool (heated and open year-round) overlooks Bodø, the Borvassfjorden, and the island of Landegøde. Guests describe it as one of the most beautiful hotel pools in Northern Europe.

Next to the pool: a sauna, a gym, and a pool bar. In the winter, you can swim while gazing at the northern lights. In the summer, you can swim while the midnight sun hangs low over the water.

Note: Access to the Pool & Wellbeing area is included with some room types, but may be available at an additional cost for others. Please check what is included with your room when you book.

Hiking right from your front door

What sets Wood Hotel Bodø apart from your average design hotel is that you can literally step right out the front door and into nature. Ronvikfjellet, the hill on which the hotel stands, features a network of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels.

Hikes starting right from the hotel

• Keiservarden: Bodø’s most famous hike. Queen Sonja opened this Sherpa-built trail in 2016; since then, more than 100,000 people a year have reached the summit. The view stretches to the Lofoten Wall in the north and the Helgeland coast in the south. Difficulty level: moderate, manageable for most people.
• Ramnfloget: a short 15-minute walk one way, starting right from the hotel and passing through a quiet forest. Perfect for a morning walk before breakfast.
• Ørnkloa: suitable for all ages, gentle terrain, beautiful views of Ronvika and the town.
• Bodøryggen: a challenging 21-kilometer hike with 1,000 meters of elevation gain for experienced hikers.
• Bestefarvarden: Combine a ride on an e-mountain bike to Kvalvika with a hike to the summit (30 minutes from the parking lot).

Sustainability: not just a label, but a design choice

Wood Hotel Bodø has ambitious sustainability goals. Choosing wood as the primary building material reduced construction-related CO₂ emissions by 45 percent compared to conventional methods. The wood comes from certified Scandinavian forests and continues to store CO₂ throughout its entire lifespan.

The exterior walls are clad with Trysilpanel, the most sustainable exterior cladding system on the Norwegian market, featuring a unique buy-back system that enables unlimited reuse. The carpets are woven from recycled fishing nets. ATTME’s food strategy follows a local sourcing philosophy: salmon from Salten, vegetables from the region.

The hotel aims to reduce food waste by 50 percent by 2030. Bodø itself holds the Sustainable Destination certification, which means the city is systematically working to reduce the negative impacts of tourism.

Why Wood Hotel is a good fit for Nature Travel Lab

• Direct access to hiking trails in the Arctic wilderness: right from your front door.
• Award-winning sustainable wood architecture with a proven 45% reduction in CO₂ emissions.
• Views of the fjords, mountains, and the Lofoten Wall: from your room, the restaurant, and the pool.
• The midnight sun and the northern lights: two completely different, spectacular experiences.
• The perfect base for exploring the Lofoten Islands, Saltstraumen, and five national parks in the region.
• Authentically local: from the restaurant’s name in the local dialect to the furniture, fabrics, and art.

Accessibility: Bodø Airport is 5 km away; the Nordland Line (train) terminates in Bodø; the ferry to Lofoten is a 7-minute drive away; the flight from Oslo takes about 1.5 hours

Frequently Asked Questions About Wood Hotel Bodø

Is Wood Hotel Bodø a good base for hiking in Northern Norway?

Yes, excellent. The hotel is located at the top of Ronvikfjellet and features hiking trails that start right at the hotel, including the popular route to Keiservarden (a moderate hike with spectacular views of the Lofoten Mountains). From Bodø, several national parks in Nordland County are also accessible. The hotel lends hiking gear to guests free of charge.

Can you see the Northern Lights from the Wood Hotel Bodø?

Yes, the hotel is situated high on a hill outside the city center, far enough away from light pollution. In the winter (roughly October through March), the Northern Lights are frequently visible from the hotel itself as well as from the rooftop pool. The hotel also organizes Northern Lights Safaris in collaboration with partners.

What is the difference between the midnight sun season and the rest of the year?

From early June to mid-July, the sun literally never sets in Bodø. Hiking at midnight in broad daylight, swimming in a mountain lake under a low-hanging sun: it’s one of the most extraordinary experiences Norway has to offer. Outside of this period, spring and fall are the most pleasant times for hikers, with quieter trails and beautiful colors. Winter offers snow, the Northern Lights, and activities such as snowmobile tours and husky sledding.

Just how sustainable is the Wood Hotel Bodø?

The hotel was built using sustainably certified wood and glulam, which reduced CO₂ emissions during construction by 45 percent compared to steel and concrete. Furniture, fabrics, and materials were largely sourced locally and regionally. The carpets are made from recycled fishing nets. The hotel has a formal goal of halving food waste by 2030. Bodø is also certified as a sustainable destination.

Is a car necessary when staying at Wood Hotel Bodø?

The hotel is a 7-minute drive from the city center. Having a car makes it easier to explore the surrounding area. Saltstraumen, Kjerringoy, and the national parks are accessible by car. But if you just want to stay in town and at the hotel, there are taxis and bus service available. The hotel offers free parking for guests with cars.

How far is Wood Hotel Bodø from the Lofoten Islands?

The Bodø ferry terminal is about a 7-minute drive from the hotel. The crossing to Moskenes in the Lofoten Islands takes approximately 3.5 hours. This makes Bodø an ideal starting point for a combined trip: stay overnight at the Wood Hotel and then take the ferry to the Lofoten Islands.