9 Winter Lodges That Are Both Cozy and Majestic

When it comes winter lodges, I have a two major requirements. The first is that it has to feel cozy inside. Think roaring fireplaces,  wooden or stone interiors, fluffy throw blankets, and just that general feeling of hygge. The second is that it has to be somewhere that promises a winter wonderland. Nothing is quite as magical as enjoying the snow falling while warming your toes by the fire and sipping on some fresh hot chocolate (okay, Swiss Miss in a pinch!). Bonus if you’re easily able to get outside and explore via snow shoeing, skiing, snowboarding, or sledding!

Below I’ve listed some winter lodges around the world that are both cozy and majestic and will help you embrace the cold instead of slipping to what I call the winter blahs.

9 Winter Lodges for the Most Incredible Getaway

1. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

Location: Rovaniemi, Finland

Finnish people know a think or two on how to embrace the blustery outdoors while creating a warm atmosphere on the inside. When it comes to the whimsical Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, founders and designers looked to their surroundings for inspiration.

Each of the suites are made with eco-friendly Finnish wood and offer up windows to enjoy the panoramic views. They really feel like you’re in your own hidden away forest nest. If you book the rooms with a double beds, they’re designed so that you’re facing the floor-to-ceiling window when you sleep.

Spend your days indulging in all sorts of fun activities like arctic ice floating or scenic snowshoeing before heading to the main building to warm up around their central fireplace and meet other fellow adventurers. Have dinner at their Rakas Restaurant & Bar or set up your own private dinner for something more intimate. Return to your room and fall asleep to views of the night sky. Who knows? You might just get lucky enough to see some Northern Lights.

2. Blackberry Farm

Location: Great Smoky Mountains, TN

Located among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm is truly one of the most idyllic places to stay no matter the season. Since its founding in the 1930s, this farm has grown to be everything one would expect from a Southern mountain escape. Majestic scenery, mouthwatering cuisine, and a sense of intimacy only heightened by the property’s impeccable hospitality. All rooms offer that cozy feeling, though if you really want to maximize the experience, opt for their hill cottages, farmstead cottage, or houses.

When winter comes, Blackberry Farm transforms into a sort of wonderland as morning mists are replaced with light dustings and cold serenity. Join in on their daily winter hikes before returning for a delicious meal and fireplace chat.

3. Emerald Lake Lodge

Location: Yoho National Park, Canada

If jetting off to the Canadian Rockies and visiting the famous jewel colored lake is on your travel wishlist, then consider staying at the incredible Emerald Lake Lodge.  Located in Yoho National Park on a private island, this place is truly all about escaping. With no cell phone service and WiFi only available in the main lodge, you’re encouraged to disconnect with the everyday and connect with nature.

The lodge features hand-hewn timber and all room options have the exact kind of stone fireplaces you’d imagine existing in wintry fairytales. Spend your days adventuring outside before returning for a hearty meal and evening spent relaxing in front of your fireplace. Bring a book or two!

4. Hotel Wachtelhof

Location: Hinterthal, Austria

Located about an hour from Salzburg and Kitzbühel in the village of Hinterthal, Hotel Wachtelhof is as magical as you’d expect a hideaway hotel in Austria would be. This place only offers up 29 rooms and suites (many featuring fireplaces) with charming alpine decor and views to the snowy surroundings.

Enjoy easy access to over 90 miles of slopes as the hotel is located close to the lifts and even offers up a buggy to literally bring you right to the lift entrance. For those who prefer something a bit calmer, you can also go for a relaxing winter hike before returning to the hotel and taking advantage of their Heurigen-Spa and outdoor pool, which, yes, is open even when the snow is falling.

5. Lyngen Lodge

Location: Olderdalen, Norway

Looking for the most perfect winter experience? Head to Lyngen Lodge in northern Norway. Located within the Arctic Circle, the Lyngen Alps are truly an underrated gem anyone looking for a snowy escape should consider. You can almost guarantee blankets of snow and absolutely breathtaking mountain landscapes. Try cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or dog sledding. Learn more about the Sami Reindeer Culture and even try out a winter sea safari. Return in the evening and watch as the Northern Lights dance above you before diving into some mouthwatering dishes all made from local ingredients.

The lodge maintains its intimate atmosphere by keeping the guest list small. Only eight cozy cabin-like bedrooms are available for a maximum of 16 guests with a “stua” or main social area for guests to mingle.

6. Sheldon Chalet

Location: Denali National Park, AK

Located on a nunatak, Sheldon Chalet is the only way to experience Denali National Park overnight without roughin’ it as a climber. Nicknamed the most remote hotel in the world, it’s definitely not a casual getaway!

With only 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the property is available for parties up to ten and includes one of the most exclusive all-inclusive offerings out there. Take a sightseeing helicopter in and out, have your food prepped by a private chef, and check out all the adventure the Don Sheldon Amphitheater offers. Oh, and, of course, relax in a sauna with incredible views while you’re at it.

During your winter stay, look for the aurora borealis from your observation deck at night or do so cuddled up under blankets while looking out the window from one of the rooms. Definitely one for the bucket list should I ever win the lottery!

7. Snake River Lodge and Spa

Location: Teton Village, WY

Located at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain. Snake River Lodge and Spa is the perfect luxury retreat right int he middle of the bustling Teton Village. Its location is only 300 feet from the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and has some of the best views in the area.

Lodge-inspired rooms are warmly designed and many offer fireplaces and private balconies. If you plan to stay a while, look into one of their many residence options which showcase even more beautiful interiors and mountain-inspired touches. Check out all the winter activities Jackson Hole is known for and then come back to try some incredible western cuisine at Snake River’s Gamefish Restaurant and Bar. As a bonus, the hotel becomes a ski in/out location in the winter and has a full service ski valet.

8. Triple Creek Ranch

Location: Bitterroot Mountain Range, MT

If you need an adults-only weekend getaway, pack your bags for a trip to Triple Creek Ranch. This resort is located in the Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies and feels like an oasis in the middle of the wilderness. The current owners were once frequent guests to the property, so you know they very much infuse love and passion into all aspects of the ranch.

Triple Creek offers a range of options from cabins to cottages to suites and homes, all designed with woodsy, Western interiors that will offer you a cozy respite from the excitement of the day. Try your hand at trap shooting, skiing (both downhill and cross country), dog sledding, and even horseback riding! Then unwind in their dry sauna or wellness center, and enjoy a truly gourmet dining experience.

9. The Whiteface Lodge

Location: Lake Placid, NY

Tucked away in the Adirondack’s High Peaks region, Whiteface Lodge has made its mark as a premier destination for those seeking the ultimate winter lodge experience. The lodge manages to be both grand and intimate as it was designed to evoke Gilded Age glamour mixed with rustic design. Suites have warmly designed interiors with handcrafted Adirondack furnishes and cast-iron fireplaces. If you have the cash, the Presidential Suite and Grand Lodge Suites are truly something. Head to onsite restaurants Kanu for Adirondack-inspired cuisine or Peak47 for lighter dishes and handcrafted cocktails.

When it comes to outdoor activities, don’t forget – Lake Placid was home to two Winter Olympics! One in 1932 and one in 1980. It knows a thing or two about about embracing the outdoors no matter the season. Just about every wintry activity you can think of is within driving distance from classic downhill skiing to sleigh rides, ice fishing, and more. On site at the resort, they even have ice skating as well as an indoor pool, bowling alley, and movie theater. Really, if you get bored here, you’re doing something wrong!

And there you have it – some winter lodges around the world that are somehow both cozy and majestic! From easy getaways to once in a life time, bucket list stays, may this get your winter travel inspiration going.