Wood Hotel Bodø, the New Outdoor Resort in Northern Norway, Has Opened Its Doors

A new landmark has sprouted in the vast forests of northern Norway. Wood Hotel Bodø, the new outdoor resort in Bodø, welcomes guests to its 177 rooms, three bars and restaurants, rooftop pool, and many other facilities starting today, May 15, 2024. A new type of nature experience, Wood Hotel Bodø proudly draws inspiration from local traditions and outdoor culture—and is already earning a reputation as a bucket list destination.

In the northern parts of one of the world’s northernmost countries, the Norwegian town of Bodø can be found high above the Arctic Circle. Despite its relatively small size (it’s only Norway’s 15th most populous town), Bodø is a melting pot that punches high above its weight. A dynamic hub known for its quintessential Norwegian nature—with endless fjords and majestic mountains—Bodø is also one of the European Capitals of Culture 2024. Travel magazines refer to it as a place with an appeal that ranges from “spectacular nature” and “cultural accolades” to “a burgeoning food and drinks scene”.

In essence, it is safe to say that Bodø has never been hotter. Now, the town can add a major and long-anticipated must-visit to its list of attractions: Wood Hotel Bodø. 

For almost two years, the wooden dream that is Wood Hotel Bodø has been growing on Rønvikfjellet. It is an outdoor resort proudly drawing inspiration from local nature and traditions, paving the way for a growing trend of nature-centric resorts seamlessly integrated into their surroundings. Henrik Berghult, Chief Operating Officer at Nordic Hotels & Resorts, calls the new resort unrivaled.

– Wood Hotel Bodø has become an outdoor resort like nothing else. We see a rising demand for experiences where guests are not only immersed in local culture but truly immersed in the local nature. This is where Wood Hotel Bodø excels, focusing on unforgettable nature experiences in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. The team behind the resort have been working tirelessly for the last couple of years, and now we see it come to fruition. I’m proud to be able to welcome this extraordinary resort to Nordic Hotels & Resorts’ portfolio of unique destinations, says Henrik Berghult.

A Wooden Feat of Engineering

As of today, Wood Hotel Bodø will be a starting point for a world of outdoor experiences. Surrounded by the breathtaking nature of the Rønvik mountain, the hotel features 177 rooms in a wide range of categories, a brand new restaurant concept that honors culture and heritage, a rooftop pool and terrace, and much more. Kenneth Stensland, General Manager at the resort, has been looking forward to the opening day. 

– We couldn’t have dreamt of a better opening day. It’s fantastic to see such great interest and enthusiasm among our first guests, but above all it fills me with so much pride to meet everyone who remembers the old Turisthytta and who are happy that there is once again life at the top of Rønvikfjellet, says Kenneth Stensland.

True to its name, the hotel is mainly made of wood, more specifically spruce glulam and sustainable timber from the Scandinavian industrial group Moelven. The company uses a pioneering approach that ensures every part of the tree is used to its full potential to maximize the forest's resources.

Looking to the inside, major parts of the wooden indoors consist of sustainable and renewable construction material with raw materials from environmentally certified forests in Norway and Sweden. The choice of wood as one of its primary building materials speaks to the hotel’s strong sense of responsibility for—and pride of—the local environment and heritage of northern Norway.

Introducing: Restaurant ATTME

Nowhere is the hotel’s pride of its local traditions more evident than in its dining. In the new main restaurant ATTME, Norwegian culinary heritage plays a central role. The name is taken from the distinctive dialect of Bodø and the Salten region. The word “attme” can most easily be translated to being beside someone or something; a term historically used by sailors, it meant to lay alongside another vessel. In this context, it has been interpreted as an invitation to get a genuine taste of the region’s heritage. ATTME combines northern Norwegian traditions with an innovative and unexpected take, serving up a culinary experience that makes full use of the ingredients. 

ATTME will offer more than flavorful feasts. Perched high on the seventh floor overlooking Landegode, the Bodø Peninsula and the Lofoten Wall, the views are as exquisite as the dining. The restaurant’s concept, vision and menu are curated by Nord Matstudio, led by renowned Bocuse d'Or winner Christian André Pettersen, together with Rasmus Skoglund and Simon Engen. The trio was born and raised in Bodø, and they are proud to take part in this new chapter of their hometown.

Greeting guests on the main lobby floor is Café Turisthytta. The turisthytta (Norwegian for “tourist cabin”) that once stood here held a significant space in the cultural identity of Bodø. Since its first iteration was built in 1890, it had served as a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. The turisthytta was the ideal vantage point to experience the midnight sun and marvel at the views of the sea and the city. It was also an important hub for hikers and one of the most popular excursion destinations in Bodø, housing a café that served refreshments for hikers heading out on, and back from, the mountain. Over the years, the turisthytta grew to become one of the town’s most beloved landmarks.

Taking inspiration from the building that once stood on the hotel's grounds, Café Turisthytta invites guests to a space that instantly feels like home. Whether guests have just returned from a hike on the mountain, or are gathering with colleagues for a celebratory lunch, the café serves up a more simple style of dining, still focusing on recipes and traditions of old. 

– I dare use big words when talking about our food and drink offerings. At ATTME, you get northern Norwegian ingredients and traditions, but with a modern twist. Here, we also serve breakfast with a fantastic view. At the same time, Café Turisthytta unites the function and history of the old building with delicious food experiences before and after hiking in our beautiful nature. As a "bodøværing" myself, it is a dream to welcome guests to all of this, says Kenneth Stensland.

Where Raw Meets Refined

There’s a reason why Wood Hotel Bodø calls itself an outdoor resort. Here, nature is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the hotel. Standing proud in the woodlands, it embraces the outdoor surroundings as an essential part of its identity, with countless mountain trails waiting to be explored on its doorstep. Some of these include Keiservarden, a spectacular hike where, on clear days, hikers can see the entire Lofoten Wall, and the border mountains towards Sweden.

Guests of the hotel are encouraged to spend as much time outside as they do inside. After a long day in harsh nature, the hotel’s wellbeing area on the top eighth floor offers a holistic and refined haven. With panoramic views of Bodø, guests can stargaze in the heated outdoor pool, unwind in the traditional steam sauna, or sweat it out in the gym. With a poolside bar offering healthy juices and exciting cocktails, Wood Hotel Bodø’s wellbeing floor is northern Norway’s newest premium destination for self-care.

While just having opened, Wood Hotel Bodø has already received a lot of attention in international travel and lifestyle magazines. Forbes, Condé Nast Traveller, The Times, Financial Times, Roadbook and more have named the hotel as one of the world's most exciting hotel destinations in 2024, as well as a hotel transforming the hospitality sector with its sustainable design. 

Now, the first guests are checking in to this new type of nature experience—going on a journey of breathtaking views, local traditions, and an exciting cultural heritage.