MANSHAUSEN ISLAND

Steigen, Lofoten, Norway

Hotel | from 500€ per night

Manshausen is technically just outside Lofoten, on a small island in Steigen, but it absolutely deserves a place in this guide. We took Nils here for his birthday and it became one of the most memorable stays of our trip.

The sea cabins are modern, minimal and completely immersed in nature, with huge windows facing the water, the mountains and, depending on the season, either endless summer light or a sky full of stars.

During the day, you can kayak, row, hike, sit in the sauna, or do very little at all, which might actually be the point.

The food was the best we had on the entire trip: local, seasonal, beautifully executed and slightly cinematic in the best possible way. It almost reminded us of the movie The Menu, but without the scary part!

Manshausen was created by Norwegian polar explorer Børge Ousland, and you can feel that sense of adventure everywhere, not in a loud way, but in the quiet confidence of a place that knows exactly what it is. A true special-occasion stay. It is not the most convenient stop, but that is part of why it feels so rewarding once you arrive.