Design expo: Scandinavian “hyttekos”
Scandinavian “hyttekos” - cabin life made the right way
To admit defeat to Norway is not an easy thing to do for a Swede. The thing is, since the union of these countries was dissolved in the beginning of the 20th century, there has always been a (friendly kind of sibling) rivalry between these two countries. It doesn’t matter if it we are talking about football, Winter Olympics or the Eurovision Song Contest. It all these kind of events, it is of course great to win but the most important thing is to finish with the other country behind you in the list. With this said, there is one area I have to admit they outstage us. And that is when it comes to “hyttekos”.
Hyttekos would best be translated to cabin cozy. The Norwegians excel at this. If this would be an olympic sport they would win by a landslide (Luckily it is not).
The Norwegians are great in creating functional and also beautifully looking cabins, often located in really stunning natural settings. And this capability has come into great use in recent years as more and more cabin hotels are popping up around the country, to mine and other visitor’s delight.
But to be honest (and this is not only me falling into some Swedish nationalistic frenzy), us Swedes aren’t to shabby either when it comes to both the love for and ability to build fabulous “stugor”, as we call them in Sweden. And also on our side of the border cabin hotels are becoming more and more frequent and a popular alternative to more traditional hotels.
So with this said, maybe it is fitting that in the list below you’ll find 3 Norwegian cabin hotels and 2 Swedish ones. I will have to give the Norwegians this one. I have also added one located in France where the creator of this particular cabin hotels has taken inspiration from Scandinavian cabin life and shown that hyttekos can be successfully exported to the rest of the world.
Enjoy!
Juvet Landscape Hotel / Valldal, Norway
This is probably one of the world’s most famous cabin hotels thanks to the move Ex Macchina and drama series Succession that were both shot on this location. it is easy to see why that was when visiting this amazing place.
Read more about my stay at Juvet here
Trekronå / Ogna, Norway
This cabin hotel is unique in the sense that is not located in “fjällen”, the Scandinavian mountain range but in the southern part of the country, a short walk from the North Sea. Cozy cabins standing on stilts almost looking like a wooden space ship that has just docked.
Read more about my stay Trekronå here
The Bolder / Lysefjorden, Norway
These design cabins are literally hanging on to the side of a cliff, high up above the scenic Lysefjorden. These cabins are great examples of when form and function is perfectly balanced.
Read more about my stay at The Bolder here
Bergaliv / Orbaden, Sweden
To reach these cabins you have to hike from the lake at the base of the valley. And once you get to the top of the mountain these Japanese inspired off-the-grid cabins are waiting for you.
Read more about my stay at Bergaliv here
Trakt Forest Hotel / Holsbybrunn, Sweden
Trakt is located in the region of Småland (where my husband is from) in the southeast of Sweden. These amazing cabins have been designed by Swedish architect juggernaut Gert Wingårdh and the result is nothing short of amazing.
Read more about my stay at Trakt here
48° Nord / Breitenbach, France
This cabin hotel is located in the French border region of Alsace. These minimalist cabins are just as stunning on the outside as on the inside. Simplicity is really a beautiful art form when executed like this.
Read more about my stay at 48° Nord here
