I Personal a $150-Per-Evening ‘Arctic Hideaway’ Airbnb in Norway

• Håvard Lund is the proprietor of an “arctic hideaway” Airbnb in Gildeskål, Nordland, Norway.
• Lund’s Airbnb is a village of tiny homes, the place visitors can see wildlife and the Northern Lights.
• “It is pushing visitors out into nature,” Lund says. “Individuals breathe otherwise and see pure phenomena.”

This as-told-to essay relies on a dialog with Håvard Lund, an Airbnb proprietor in Gildeskål, Nordland, Norway. It has been edited for size and readability.

Years in the past, I had the concept to create a rentable, collaborative area for artists. I by no means meant to place it on Airbnb, however right here we’re.

My Airbnb is in Norway, and it is a tiny village constructed out of tiny homes that may home a bunch whereas immersing them in nature. As a musician and composer, I discovered early in my life that I may gain advantage from multi-disciplinary conferences.

I noticed how my work might achieve pace and change into extra fascinating by hanging out with engineers and designers — every kind of individuals, actually. This village was meant to facilitate these sorts of conferences.

I am from northern Norway and have a really romantic relationship with nature right here

It is the character I do know, so it was simple to select this location. Usually, to construct or purchase an property on this archipelago, it helps to have a relationship with a vendor, so it was six years earlier than I purchased the primary property.

I met with three constructing groups earlier than deciding to maneuver ahead with the third one, as the primary two thought the challenges for what I had in thoughts could be too large. I began constructing with my staff in 2014, and we opened for leases in 2016. 

We had a number of talks about what constitutes good structure in nature

From there, it was the architects who instructed the design. They got here up with the concept of a tiny village with all of the capabilities of a standard home, however minimize into a number of homes. I simply stated, “Hooray, let’s make it.”

The village works as a result of it is pushing visitors out into nature. Individuals breathe otherwise and see pure phenomena that they will not see in the event that they’re indoors. Friends can see birds, sea otters, and the Northern Lights right here.

Thus far, there hasn’t been a lot want for upkeep

I selected supplies that are supposed to final without end, however due to the climate right here, upkeep will come. It is wonderful how a lot harm water can do. 

Two of the six years we have been open have been through the COVID-19 pandemic, so it has been gradual. My guess is that constructing a enterprise on an island — mainly on the North Pole — will take double the period of time as constructing a enterprise on the mainland. So, we go very slowly in all the pieces that we do.

My expertise renting the hideaway on Airbnb has been each constructive and damaging

Throughout the pandemic, I made a decision to make a profile on Airbnb to share the story of the arctic hideaway and provides individuals a spot to ebook it.

It has been a reduction to have bookings by Airbnb, however I am afraid of the extent of expectations visitors have. If visitors come to go to a distant island within the Arctic with out outlets and vehicles, they should know that they will deal with it.

I spend time telling every buyer precisely what staying right here is like

Regardless of my in-depth description on Airbnb, I nonetheless have bookings from individuals who do not learn one phrase and simply see the photographs and are available. This will result in unhealthy evaluations.

If visitors need designs on their decaf lattes, they need to keep at residence. That is black espresso, rock ‘n’ roll.

My costs begin at round $150 per evening

The costs are honest for the expertise, however I do have a minimal keep of three nights. That is to ensure that it to be extra sustainable for individuals to come back right here. 

I additionally management the variety of bookings out there on Airbnb, so if a big cohort wants to come back, I’ve the supply.

I’ve discovered Airbnb brings American tradition, which I am not aware of as a Northern European man. Increasingly more People are coming again, nevertheless it’s nonetheless largely Europeans.

I do not stay on the island full time, so I’ve assist working the property

I am right here between Could and September, and everybody who works as a caretaker or host on the village must develop their function right here. I am additionally constructing my expertise as a bunch, chief, and individual.

Since opening, the conferences right here have been unbelievable — with artists of every kind having the ability to collaborate on this area.