Jopikgarden, Lulea

Location

Located on an island off the coast of Luleå, this lovely hotel is accessible by ice roads in the winter or boat in the summer time. Jopikgården is a traditional red wooden house and farmyard, perfect for short stays when passing through Luleå or as a base for exploring the archipelago. This remote-yet-vast region of only 100 inhabitants is the perfect chance to explore the joys of the Swedish countryside, with pretty islands, country walks and idyllic kayaking vying for your attentions.

Accommodation

Each day, you’ll return to a warm welcome and cosy ambience that’s only imparted by a traditional wooden farm hidden in a forest. There are four double bedrooms on the top floor of the main building, one of which has a sofa bed and is suitable for small families. In turn, Drang Langan offers six guesthouse-style bungalow rooms for up to four adults each, across the courtyard from the main building. All the rooms are newly renovated and rustically decorated, complete with antique furnishings.

Dining

The chefs at Jopikgården collect the best raw ingredients from around the archipelago – salmon caught in the next bay, berries and mushrooms picked on a neighbouring island, honey from local beekeepers and wild game from local hunters. There are even steaks from mountain cattle, farmed free range on nearby Hidersön. It’s all put together to create an inspiringly modern – and beautifully presented – take on traditional regional cuisine.

Facilities

The old bakery houses a spacious sauna and relaxation room, and you can soak in the wood-fired hot tub under the stars and Northern Lights – or the dazzling Midnight Sun. Activities available include music evenings, snowmobiling, ice fishing and dogsledding. In summer, traditional midsummer celebrations are a highlight, with guests invited to join in the festivities; feasts and maypole dancing go well into the night. Other fair-weather activities include guided boat tours of the archipelago, sea kayaking, salmon fishing, seal watching and bike or hiking tours of Hindersön Island.