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At a Glance

A remote destination in Tornedalen, Arthotel is becoming an art and culture attraction in the middle of the Lapland countryside.

Indagare Loves

• The Nordic art and design pieces in Arthotel’s four houses
• Villa Tolonen, which is perfect for families who want a countryside village experience
• That founder Gunhild Stensmyr has created an art destination in a tiny Swedish village

Review

Born and raised in Tornedalen, a quaint, riverside village on the border of Sweden and Finland, Gunhild Stensmyr followed her passion for art and culture and lived all over Sweden, holding various jobs at museums and galleries. In 2009, Gunhild returned to Tornedalen for the first time as an adult with the idea to transform the sleepy town into a center for arts and design where visitors could experience a taste of Arctic life.

The core of Gunhild’s project is the development of an arts center, Konsthall Tornedalen, which is slated to open in 2020. The glass-walled museum located on the edge of the Torne River is a short walk from the Arthotel. The 123 acres of land features four renovated country homes, named after the families they once belonged to. The accommodations are simple, but the public spaces have been carefully decorated with contemporary Nordic artworks, all of which have been handpicked by Gunhild. Anders Landström, the architect behind Stockholm’s beautiful Ett Hem hotel, and Swedish designer Christian Halleröd, both helped with the design. Activities including ice fishing, skiing, dog-sledding and viewing the Northern Lights in the winter and boating, berry-picking, bird-watching and more in the summer.

Villa Wennberg is the central gathering place for the hotel and has four individual guest rooms. The public spaces here include a small dining room, where guests enjoy organic, home-cooked meals, a lounge with an honesty bar, a meeting room and a library. The other three villas—Villa Tolonen, House Kristina and Villa Anundi—are for private use only. Villa Tolonen sleeps six and is ideal for families. House Kristina, the best accommodation for a couple, occupies a renovated log cabin and boasts a wood-heated outdoor sauna. Villa Anundi, located 1.5 miles from the other three houses, sleeps six people and features a kitchen, living room, laundry facilities and a sauna.

Who Should Stay

Laidback families and couples who want a quiet Lapland cultural experience. While there are nature activities available here, until the art center opens in 2020, Arthotel is best for curious travelers who want more of a learning and relaxing experience.

Author

• Rose Taylor