This U.S. Destination Famous for Its Northern Lights Is Getting Stunning Glass Lodges

Take the nature-bonding element of forest bathing and combine it with the landscape immersion of glass domes, and sprinkle it with luxury accommodations and a remote location fit for complete disconnection, and you have Panorama Glass Lodges. 

Since 2017, these cabins with translucent floor-to-ceiling walls surrounding beds have been providing visitors with the cozy comforts of a private rental along with an all-encompassing exposure to the natural beauty with locations in South Iceland in Hella and West Iceland in Akranes.

The concept has been such a hit that owners Sabrina and Andreas Dedler have expanded to two other high-latitude destinations. Both spots are equally otherworldly and offer guests the chance to spot the Northern Lights, as well.

One is Tromsø, Norway, which was the next logical place to add to the portfolio. Teaming up with hospitality brand Aera Nord, known for its dedication to sustainability and privacy, the spot opened last year. The location is committed to “merging luxury, seclusion, and nature into a seamless tapestry,” the company described in a release shared with Travel + Leisure.

Each cabin has a shower, refrigerator, dishwasher, kettle, and toilet. But of course, it’s the glass walls that define the experience. Besides the glass lodges, it also offers glass cabins, igloos, and one-bedroom cabins. Every stay includes an a la carte breakfast in bed, snowshoe rentals, sauna access, and a rental car.

The newest spot will open its doors in Fairbanks, Alaska, in April, marking the company's first U.S. location. The Scandinavian influences still reign strong in a partnership with Wilding Hotels, offering both deluxe rooms with a king-sized bed and couch, and standard rooms with a queen bed. Both versions include a fully-equipped kitchen, in-suite theater, rainfall shower or soaking tub, heated towel racks, fire pit, hammock, private sauna, and pizza oven. This location also offers resort amenities, including a comfort station, community spaces, lookout points, and hiking trails, depending on the season.

“The lodge’s strategic location allows guests to enjoy unobstructed views of the northern lights from the comfort of their beds or even while soaking in their hot tub,” the company said. “The glass walls and ceilings of each lodge are designed to create a fully immersive experience, allowing guests to feel as if they’re a part of the landscape itself.”

Panorama Glass Lodges is looking to continue spreading its global influence, with more locations in Iceland, as well as expanding its partnership with Aera Nord. It has also started offering larger spaces: the West Iceland location has a family lodge called Frigg that can sleep up to five people.

“The sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning,” the company said of these newfound partnerships.