Abisko Mountain Lodge — Hotel in Kiruna kommun

Sometimes, if I’m really lucky, I get to stay at a place that is so much more than just somewhere to rest and sleep. Abisko Mountain Lodge turned out to be exactly that kind of place.

After spending a few days there, it became clear to me that this lodge isn’t just a great base for hiking, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, or any of the other activities they offer. It's also a destination in itself, with great experiences for all senses.

From the moment I arrived, I felt as though I had stepped into a unique space where comfort, creativity, and a cozy community had come together.

One of the most lasting impressions from my stay was definitely the food, which was just extraordinary. I’m not usually one to rave about every meal I eat during my travels, but here, it was impossible not to.

The breakfast buffet was plentiful, with everything from scrambled eggs, small sausages, and Swedish meatballs, to jars filled with condiments and local specialties like pickled herring.

There was homemade bread, hot porridge, yogurt, juices and the coffee pot was always fresh, with a strong, robust brew.

Another real standout for me was the dinner menu. Every evening, I found myself excited to try something new, as the menu offered so many choices that tickled my curiosity.

The restaurant team consistently served beautifully presented meals with local ingredients like moose, reindeer, and fish, blending traditional flavors with a delightful twist that always surprised and made me smile.

One night, a server explained that while the restaurant doesn’t aim for a “fine dining” experience per se, the dinners I had there would easily rival what I’ve been served at high-end restaurants.

The biggest difference being that despite the elegance of every dish I was served, the kitchen's portions were always both balanced and very generous – I never left the table feeling hungry.

After a full day hiking or whatever I was doing that day, it was always comforting to know I was going to enjoy a really well-rounded dinner.

Everything I ate was tasty, from the tender yet crunchy moose tartare to the smoked Arctic char paired with delicate sauces and wild berries. And when I had room, which, I admit, happened more than once, I just couldn’t resist the tempting choices of desserts.

The kitchen’s passion for food was palpable, and though the it certainly enhanced my stay, what truly sets Abisko Mountain Lodge apart is the team that works there.

Everyone I met was genuinely warm, helpful and friendly – far from the often robotic, superficial approach to hospitality I encounter at most hotels I stay at.

The lodge's team seemed genuinely enthusiastic and connected to the nature that surrounds the lodge, often sharing stories and tips about the best trails, the right time and place to check out the Northern Lights, or where to go for a quiet moment on a trail or down by the lake.

The staff's love for the area came through in almost every conversation I had with them. The eager way they spoke about Abisko National Park with its autumn beauty and snow-covered winters made it very clear how they felt blessed to work in such a beautiful place.

I can now totally relate to their enthusiasm.

In summary, what I think makes this lodge so special and worth visiting is how staying there seamlessly blends the rugged Lapland adventures you can enjoy without sacrificing comfort, delicious food and a super-friendly vibe.

After a long day of hiking, once I get back to the lodge, it wasn't just to rest or eat, but also to feel like I was coming home.

By the time I’d checked out, I not only thought about how incredible it was to see the Northern Lights or how stunningly scenic the hiking along Kungsleden (King’s Trail) had been.

I was also already planning my next visit, not just for the adventure, but for the lodge itself – because I think it’s really rare to find a place that leaves me with such a great impression on both my mind and my soul.

I highly recommend adding this place to your...

It begins and ends with the staff who were all so friendly and helpful; whilst this proved a pretty much universal experience during our time in Sweden, still I must praise them, they were fantastic (even if Dick did suggest I might like a tent instead when we checked in!)||We had a deluxe room which was spacious but still cosy and with a large bathroom with heated flooring and walk in shower. Staying only 3 nights we didn't request housekeeping though you can have the room cleaned daily if you wish.||In a remote location, never certain where your next meal might be coming from, it pays to book in advance, we had the soup lunch on arrival and the day we left and took a generous packed lunch out one day. A package is prepared with fruit, pastry, drink and chocolate and left on the counter in the restaurant to collect, you then make up sandwiches/rolls from the breakfast buffet to take with you. The breakfast is great, with a wide selection of food to choose from. I loved kicking off with a ginger shot followed by some porridge with lingonberries then maybe some meats/cheese/eggs with sourdough bread. All washed down with good strong coffee (of course)!||Dinner is as good as you will have read, if not better, the starters especially are exquisite, I know there is a new chef (as of January 2025) so expect changes but if available I recommend the Arctic char, the moose tartare and the Eldost waffle. ||There is a bar/lounge area with log burner giving off a cosy glow, it can get busy with people and luggage waiting before/after checking in/out but we always found a seat. There is a great choice of local beers and of course, being a restaurant too, a substantial wine list. As a refreshing change from the UK, it was great to see Cava instead of the ubiquitous fizzy pop of Prosecco.||If, like we were, you are in search of the Northern Lights, step outside late at night and wander 100m or so up to the helicopter pad for views of an amazing night sky, we were fortunate to be there when the planets were aligning (literally) and shining bright amongst so, so many stars. We spent a good hour and a half watching the lights dancing across the sky.||We travelled by overnight sleeper train from Stockholm, it's a 5 minute walk from the station to the Lodge. NB there are two stations, some people make the mistake of getting off at the wrong one apparently, though usually it's those wanting the Turistation getting off too soon.||I said it ends with the staff too, thank you all for making our stay so wonderful, I miss...

Abisko Mountain Lodge will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. Our family of 2 adults and 2 x13yo children stayed in 2 twin rooms for six nights in December. We cannot recommend the accommodation or team highly enough.

During our 6 nights we enjoyed being able to walk outside in the evenings and witness amazing aurora displays. It was so magical and very special to be able to see them every night, sometimes multiple times.

The accommodation was clean and very comfortable. The location was excellent, being surrounded by walking tracks, a short scenic stroll to the stunning Lake Tornetrask and the elevated helicopter landing pad, both great vantage points for viewing auroras. Also, a 5 mins walk to Abisko Ostra train station and the world's largest candy store/small grocery.

The dinners were excellent. We were well looked after by the chefs who went out of their way to ensure we had a variety of five-star dining options each night. There was also a soup, salad/deli meats/ fresh baked breads/ baked sweet treats option for lunch. Nothing beats enjoying cinnamon scrolls, warm out of the oven!

The lounge was very cosy, it was lovely to sit by the fire and enjoy a great selection of drinks and hot chocolates/snacks from the bar. A space were guests and strangers would become friends.

But above all, what stood out for us was the team. The most genuine, big-hearted team that you will ever find anywhere in the world. You can tell they are one big happy family, looking after each other and their guests in beautiful Abisko.

Everyone went above and beyond to help our family when an unforeseen event occurred. We were just blown away by their kindness and efforts. Thank you to the best team; Christopher, Sara, Bella, Alicia, Louisa, Nicolas, the chefs, the very thoughtful young male server whose name I didn't get, he was always smiling and very friendly- thank you all for looking after us and making our stay so memorable. We will...