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The first energy-plus hotel above the Arctic Circle is opening in Norway

Snøhetta
Snøhetta

Set at the foot of the Svartisen glacier that runs through Meløy municipality in northern Norway, the Svart Hotel, shaped like a giant ring, will be an energy-positive hotel.

Through the combined use of solar panels and geothermal wells, it will use on average 85% less energy than typical modern hotels today and it will actually create energy itself.

Over a 60-year period it’s thought that it will generate more renewable energy than would be required to build, operate, and theoretically demolish it. With the surplus of energy, not only will much of the hotel run off it but guests will be able to power devices such as mobile phones and hair dryers.

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, a founding Partner at architecture firm, Snøhetta, who are behind the design, says: “building in such a precious environment comes with some clear obligations in terms of preserving the natural beauty and the fauna and flora of the site. It was important for us to design a sustainable building that will leave a minimal environmental footprint on this beautiful Northern nature”.

Svart really will give its guest the chance to experience the surrounding fjords and glaciers in a totally unique way. The hotel, high up on stilts, is situated in the middle nowhere. You’ll be able to hike, bike, relax in completely tranquility and with no surrounding light pollution - very possible clock the Northern Lights.

It’s not clear when it is due to open but one thing’s for sure, we predict there will probably be a waiting list to bag a night's stay.