Staying In Norrland: 10 Resort Hotels Compared

Hornavan Hotell sits on the shore of Lake Hornavan - Sweden's deepest lake - in Arjeplog, making it a practical base for both winter snowmobile testing tourism (Arjeplog is a global centre for cold-weather automotive testing) and summer fishing expeditions. Bright modern rooms come with wooden floors, a seating area, and direct lake views, while the relaxation area overlooks the Scandinavian Mountains. The hotel includes free gym, indoor hot tub, and sauna access, with a seasonal restaurant on-site and the Galtis Ski Resort reachable in winter. Arjeplog Airport is 90 km away, so a rental car is essential.

• Free indoor hot tub and sauna access
• Direct Lake Hornavan views from rooms
• Snowmobiling and ski resort access in winter

Kraja is positioned directly on Lake Hornavan, 1 km from central Arjeplog, and stands out for offering both hotel rooms and self-contained cottages with kitchenettes - a meaningful advantage for families or longer stays. All guests get free access to the sauna and outdoor pool, and the resort runs a notably wide activity programme: minigolf and bike rental in summer, dog sledding and scooter rental in winter, plus on-site fishing card sales for surrounding rivers. The Arjeplog Silver Museum - which documents the region's historic Sami silver trade - is 5 minutes away, and the Arctic Circle is an hour's drive north. The on-site summer restaurant focuses on local dishes.

• Cottages with kitchenettes available alongside standard rooms
• Dog sledding and fishing cards bookable on-site
• Outdoor pool with lake-adjacent setting

Hotell Lappland sits beside the Ume River in Lycksele and anchors its resort offer around the 1,700 m² Sele Spa Club, which includes outdoor pools, sauna, steam sauna, and a dedicated relaxation area - one of the largest spa footprints of any hotel in inland Norrland. The hotel runs two on-site restaurants: Sele Kitchen serving à la carte with local specialities, and O'Leary's in Lappkåtan for sports and varied menus, which removes the need to drive into town for meals. Lycksele Zoo, one of Sweden's northernmost zoos with Arctic wildlife, is a 5-minute drive away. Free WiFi and parking are included.

• 1,700 m² spa with outdoor pools and steam sauna
• Two on-site restaurants with local and international menus
• 5-minute drive to Lycksele Zoo

Best Western Hotel City Gävle is positioned 150 metres from Gävle's main square, Stortorget, making it the most urban option in this selection and the logical first-night stop when entering Norrland from the south by train - Gävle Central Station is 10 minutes on foot. Rooms feature parquet floors, work desks, and private bathrooms, while the restaurant serves a breakfast buffet with organic, locally sourced Swedish options and an à la carte lunch and dinner menu. Free hot beverages are available 24 hours at reception, a practical detail for early train departures or late arrivals. Boulognerskogen Park is a 5-minute walk away.

• 150 metres from Gävle's main square, Stortorget
• Organic, locally sourced breakfast buffet
• 10-minute walk to Gävle Central Station

Hotel Sollefteå is a 3-star property in Sollefteå town offering city-view rooms with private bathrooms, a fitness centre, and a sauna - a functional base for exploring the nearby Höga Kusten (High Coast) UNESCO World Heritage site, which lies within 35 km. Certain rooms include a kitchen with fridge, making this a cost-effective option for self-catering stays in the Ångermanland area. Höga Kusten Airport is 35 km away, giving a viable fly-in route. A buffet breakfast is included, and free WiFi is standard throughout.

• Select rooms with kitchenette and fridge
• Fitness centre and sauna on-site
• 35 km from Höga Kusten Airport and UNESCO High Coast

Storhogna Högfjällshotell & Spa is the only full ski-in/ski-out resort hotel in this selection, with direct slope access to Storhogna, Björnrike, and Vemdalsskalet - three interconnected ski areas in the Vemdalen valley. Rates include free pool and sauna access plus free fitness classes, and select rooms feature private saunas. The restaurant serves reindeer, elk, and trout from regional suppliers alongside international dishes, grounding the dining experience firmly in Jämtland and Härjedalen food culture. Staff arrange snowmobile safaris, dog sledding, and ski lessons in winter, with horse riding and fishing available in summer.

• Ski-in/ski-out access to three Vemdalen ski areas
• Private sauna available in select rooms
• On-site spa with included pool and sauna access

Holiday Club Åre is positioned in the centre of Åre ski resort, Sweden's largest alpine ski destination, with rooms overlooking either Åreskuten Mountain or Lake Åre. The standout facility is the on-site waterpark: a 67-metre water slide, 8 pools, jacuzzi, and a seasonal sauna area with 6 sauna types - a strong differentiator for families staying during ski week. The property is eco-certified, and ground-floor ski, bicycle, and golf equipment storage is available year-round. Two restaurants and a bar serve the resort's guest base without requiring a walk into the village.

• 67-metre water slide and 8-pool waterpark on-site
• Central Åre village positioning with mountain and lake views
• Ground-floor ski and equipment storage included

Froesö Park Hotel is located directly beside Frösö Park Arena on Frösön island, just 3 km from Åre-Östersund Airport - making it the easiest resort arrival and departure in the entire Jämtland region. Rooms include laptop safes, seating areas, and nature views, while the hotel runs two pools, a spa, and a fitness centre. The Östersund-Frösö Golf Course is 2 km away, and skiing, cycling, and hiking are all accessible in the surrounding area. Östersund town centre is 10 km away, making this a quieter alternative to staying in the city itself while remaining close to services.

• 3 km from Åre-Östersund Airport - shortest transfer of any resort here
• Two swimming pools and full spa facilities
• 2 km from Östersund-Frösö Golf Course

Grand Hotel Lapland sits directly opposite Gällivare Train Station in the heart of Swedish Lapland, the furthest north of all properties in this guide and the only one positioned in an active northern lights viewing zone for most of the year. The hotel runs an open-kitchen steakhouse, a café bar, an in-house bowling alley, and a rooftop outdoor swimming pool with Skybar open during summer. Many rooms overlook Dundret Mountain, and Dundret Ski Resort - one of the few places globally where midnight sun skiing is possible - is 10 km away. Free gym, sauna, and wellness facilities are included in all stays.

• Rooftop outdoor pool and Skybar open in summer
• Opposite Gällivare Train Station - no transfer needed
• 10 km from Dundret Ski Resort and midnight sun skiing

Hotell Hallstaberget is built on a hillside above Sollefteå with panoramic views of the Ångermanälven valley, differentiating it from every other property in this guide through its elevated position and dual indoor/outdoor pool setup. The Hallsta Sky Spa & Relax centre features 5 saunas, 2 hot tubs, and treatment bookings - one of the more complete spa menus in central Norrland. Stora Restaurangen restaurant provides valley-view dining, and Hallsta Nightclub operates on-site for après-ski or evening entertainment. Sollefteå town centre is 3 km away, and the Sollefteå Museum is reachable in 7 minutes by car. Sundsvall-Timrå Airport is 104 km south.

• 5 saunas and 2 hot tubs in the Hallsta Sky Spa
• Indoor and outdoor pools with valley panoramas
• On-site nightclub and panoramic restaurant