First look at Svart: the striking energy-positive hotel opening in Norway in 2024

The glacier-set Svart will open in Norway’s Arctic Circle and consume 85 per cent less energy than regular hotels

As travellers become ever more environmentally conscious, hoteliers are having to introduce more sustainable options.

In Norway, Svart is going to set a new level of eco-friendly accommodation when it opens as the world's first energy positive hotel.

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Located in the wilderness of the Arctic Circle, the 99-room Svart is set to open in 2024.

Its low-impact design will mean that the hotel will produce more energy than it uses, consuming 85 per cent less energy than traditional hotels.  Svart will perch on top of the icy waters of the Holandsfjorden fjord in Norway's Meloy municipality. Visitors will get breathtaking 360-degree views thanks to the hotel's glass circular design overlooking the imposing Svartisen glacier. In winter, travellers will be in prime position to spot the Northern Lights.

The hotel has been inspired by Norwegian fishing traditions and will be built upon a weather resistant wooden supporting structure constructed using poles that stretch below the fjord's surface. As well as creating a seamless transition between land and water, the method ensures zero land impact and minimum seabed disruption.

Two electric boats will be charged by the surplus energy produced by the hotel, and will provide transfers by water.

Arctic experiences

The hotel will have four restaurants, giving guests a variety of dining options ranging from rustic, local fare to gourmet tasting menus. Dishes will make use of local and home-grown produce as much as possible and adventurous guests can participate in the foraging of ingredients for their daily meals.  A 1000-square-metre, indoor and outdoor spa will offer a variety of treatments drawing from traditional Norwegian wellness techniques. The spa will also offer medically-based and cutting-edge therapies and all treatments will use 100 per cent sustainable products.  For those with a sense of adventure, outdoor activities such as ice-climbing on the glacier, diving, fishing and wildlife spotting will be on offer. Yoga under the midnight sun will help guests unwind and summer will bring kayaking and boating excursions.

Scientifically sustainable

As the world’s first energy-positive hotel, Svart aims to be fully off-grid, carbon neutral and zero waste within its first five years of operation.

Extensive research into how solar radiation works in a mountainous context has dictated where the hotel's rooms, restaurants and terraces are positioned. The circular framework will be able to harness energy from the sun irrespective of time of day or season.

Up on the roof, solar panels produced using clean hdyro-energy will further reduce the hotel's carbon footprint. Throughout the design, energy intensive building materials have been avoided wherever possible.

Guests and day visitors can discover more about the science and technology behind the making of Svart in the education centre and design laboratory. The hotel will also educate visitors on waste management, glacier protection and sustainable farming.