At Nordenskiöld Lodge, reaching the destination is part of the experience. Set within the Arctic landscape of Spitsbergen, the remote lodge is the northernmost commercial lodge in the world and can only be reached by boat or snowmobile. In winter, Basecamp Explorer’s Glacier Odyssey turns the journey into a 100-kilometer expedition across snowy terrain, glaciers, frozen fjords and wind-carved valleys.

The lodge itself offers a striking contrast to the surrounding wilderness. Designed by Norwegian interior expert Halvor Bakke, its warm materials and colors frame views of the glacier, mountains and fjord, creating an intimate retreat within an otherwise immense landscape. After days spent crossing the Arctic by snowmobile, evenings center on communal dinners and time around the fire with the lodge host, sharing stories and knowledge of the region.

The Curated Take: Nordenskiöld Lodge is compelling because the Arctic isn’t simply scenery surrounding the hotel. The remoteness defines the experience from beginning to end. The 100-kilometer snowmobile journey makes arrival feel earned, while the lodge provides just enough warmth and intimacy to create a meaningful counterpoint to the wilderness outside.