Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel – Svalbard, Norway
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INTRODUCTION
Our most recent trip to Norway began like many of our wild adventures over the years. My husband and I stumble upon an outlandish experience in some far-flung land—whether through a show, an article, or word of mouth—and before we know it, we’re planning an entire journey around it. With a significant birthday for my husband on the horizon, we seized the opportunity to use it as the perfect excuse to indulge in something a bit more extravagant and unforgettable than usual.
This particular journey was inspired by an episode of the Nat Geo series Restaurants at the End of the World (episode: Norway’s Touch of Madness), which eventually led us to take three flights and an exhilarating boat ride to reach Svalbard’s Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel —located halfway between the northern tip of mainland Norway and the North Pole. And we traveled all that way for a meal! Well, not just a meal, but several meals and a few days of adventure we won’t soon forget.
I can’t wait to tell you all about it, but if you want a little sneak peek, please check out this 90 sec. video.
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ISFJORD RADIO HOTEL VIDEO
ABOUT ISFJORD RADIO HOTEL
Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel is a remote getaway lodge located on the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Originally built as a radio station in 1933, it has been transformed into an exclusive boutique hotel that seamlessly combines luxury with rugged adventure.
One of the more unique hotels in Norway, this property offers an array of activities for adventure seekers.
In the summer, guests can embark on guided hikes through stunning polar landscapes, where they have the opportunity to visit a walrus colony, while spotting Arctic birds and Svalbard reindeer along the way. Alternatively, they can set out on a boat safari to a nearby glacier, where seals, whales, and walruses are often seen. With the Midnight Sun providing 24-hour daylight, there’s ample time to fully explore the wonders of the Arctic summer.
In late winter, the hotel becomes a hub for thrilling cold-weather adventures, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, and skiing across pristine snowfields. Its remote location also provides a prime vantage point for witnessing the Northern Lights during the long, dark nights.
After a day of adventure, the hotel’s sauna provides the perfect spot to unwind. Located right at the ocean’s edge, guests might even catch a glimpse of a seal, walrus, or whale passing by as they relax.
The experience doesn’t stop with adventure. Isfjord Radio also offers a bold and innovative culinary journey, matching the untamed beauty of its surroundings with an unforgettable dining experience.
OUR EXPERIENCE
We spent a week in Svalbard in July, including a 3-day, 2-night adventure at Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel. We might have stayed longer, but every time you step outside the lodge, you must be accompanied by an armed guide due to the potential threat of polar bears—and we love having the freedom to roam. Check out our well-equipped guide, Elisa, below!
Although we didn’t see a polar bear in Svalbard this time, they were definitely around. Approximately 3,500 polar bears live in Svalbard, and just a few weeks before our visit, several were spotted near the lodge.
The lodge also had quite an epic encounter with a polar bear back in 2018 when one broke into a supply room, eventually escaping through a small window. (See the clip on YouTube.)
GETTING TO SVALBARD
Our adventure to Isfjord Radio Hotel began long before we arrived. This remote lodge is accessible exclusively by boat during the summer months, and by snowmobile, dogsled, or mountain skis in late winter and spring.
To get there, you first need to travel to Svalbard’s capital, Longyearbyen, with flights available only from Oslo or Tromsø, Norway.
Wild weather can cause delays both on the water and in the air, so it’s advisable to book a night in a Longyearbyen hotel both before heading to Isfjord Radio Hotel and on the night of your return.
We actually spent five nights in Longyearbyen in total—one at the beginning and four at the end. I initially worried that this would be too much, but we really loved the town and found our stay to be just right. Actually… maybe too short! We will definitely return one day for a winter trip.
See our: Longyearbyen, Svalbard Summer Guide.
THE BOAT RIDE
Since we visited Isfjord Radio Hotel in July, our journey from Longyearbyen to the hotel was by boat. (In the winter, a land crossing by snowmobile or dogsled is possible.)
To be honest, I hadn’t given much thought to the boat ride—I just knew it would probably take a couple of hours. But when our captain mentioned something like, “We’re going to try to get there today, but we may need to turn back due to rough seas,” I raised an eyebrow.
To make a long story short, what is typically a 1.5 to 2-hour boat ride took over 4 hours due to some wild seas. While I had full confidence in our captain as he skillfully navigated each wave, crisscrossing the fjord in search of calmer waters, it’s fair to say that our nerves were a bit frazzled by the time we arrived!
Thankfully, once we entered the serenity of Isfjord Radio Hotel, all was forgotten. And to be fair, these conditions are the exception, not the norm. Our return trip two days later took only 75 minutes, with the ocean as calm as a lake.
See the exact location of Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel on this Google Map.
THE HOTEL EXPERIENCE
From the outside, Isfjord Radio Hotel looks exactly like what it is—a former communications hub. Inside, however, it has been extensively renovated into a luxurious boutique hotel.
Upon arrival, we were immediately made to feel at home. We slipped into hotel slippers (as is customary indoors in Svalbard) and cozied up in the lounge, enjoying views of the Arctic landscape with a signature cocktail in hand (made with glacier ice, of course) while we awaited dinner.
The hotel features several beautiful shared lounges and cozy library spaces. However, I found it difficult to fully appreciate them, as the views outside—breathtaking from every angle—were simply mesmerizing. As a wildlife enthusiast, I was constantly distracted by the animals just outside the windows: birds, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and more.
THE ROOMS
Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel has 23 rooms, offering a cozy and intimate setting for guests to experience the remote Arctic wilderness. Each room is uniquely decorated, blending modern comfort with the historical charm of the former radio station.
Bathrooms and showers are shared. I know…this is a real line in the sand for some people, but I assure you that they are similar to what you would find at a beautiful spa, not a community gym!
THE GASTRONOMY
The dining experience at Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel is as captivating as its remote Arctic setting. The hotel takes pride in offering an exceptional culinary journey, featuring gourmet meals crafted from locally sourced ingredients that provide a true taste of the Arctic. From seal to Svalbard reindeer, each dish showcases this remote location’s natural bounty.
It should be noted that some of the ingredients are provided by local trapper Tommy Sandal, who is actually quite famous in the region (see bio). During our visit, he even dropped off seal meat at the dock at 2 a.m.!
The food was definitely part of the Isfjord Adventure journey, perfectly suited to my husband’s tastes. For me, it sometimes pushed the boundaries. For example, the blood sausage from Tommy Sandal that topped my dessert was just a bit too adventurous for me. To be fair, it was delicious—with flavors reminiscent of mincemeat—but in the moment, a tiny bite was all I could manage!
THE SUMMER EXCURSIONS
We enjoyed several day trip adventures while visiting Isfjord Hotel.
1. WALRUS COLONY HIKE
The 20 km round-trip hike to the walrus colony, accompanied by one of the resident huskies, was our favorite activity at Isfjord Radio. The scenery was absolutely spectacular, and the wildlife sightings—birds, reindeer, walruses, and more—were extraordinary.
We didn’t find the hike particularly strenuous, as the terrain is completely flat, but the relentless Arctic wind gave us a small taste of what it might be like to live in such an unforgiving environment.
2. THE BOAT SAFARI
To be completely honest, after our wild boat ride from Longyearbyen to the lodge, we weren’t exactly eager for another water-based activity. But the rib boat safari is a must-do experience at Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel, so we couldn’t pass it up.
After suiting up, we hopped into the boat and were immediately greeted by a curious walrus popping up beside us. We then zipped off to catch a glimpse of a remote Russian mining town from the water, followed by a visit to a magnificent glacier.
The seas were a bit choppy, making it difficult to spot the wildlife, but apparently, a pod of beluga whales was nearby. (We did, however, see numerous Minke whales from both land and sea.) We wrapped up the excursion by gathering glacier ice for the lodge’s cocktails!
3. THE SAUNA & POLAR PLUNGE
For my husband and daughter, a dip in the ocean is a must (no matter the temperature). My son and I were quite happy to enjoy the ocean view out the sauna windows!
Note: A visit to the sauna requires pre-booking because “polar bear protection” needs to be coordinated.
4. THE RADIO STATION TOUR
The excursions include a guided tour of the station, covering fascinating pre-and post-WWII history. (All the buildings are post-war since they were destroyed in 1943 in anticipation of Norway being occupied.) Even during this short tour, we spotted whales, seals, and seabirds right off the shore!
5. THE HUSKIES
During our stay, the lodge had two retired sled dogs, both friendly huskies available for visits and walks. These dogs are often up for adoption, as they typically retire from sledding around the age of 8 or 9. Despite their retirement, they still have plenty of good years left as loyal companions.
THE WEATHER
Summer temperatures at Isfjord Radio Hotel typically range from 2°C to 5°C (35°F to 41°F), and we found layering essential for our excursions. While 2°C isn’t too uncomfortable with the right gear, the constant wind was a surprise and made it feel much colder. This wind persisted throughout our entire week in Svalbard.
I took this screenshot during our boat ride to the lodge, not only to capture the weather but also to show you the signal I could get on my phone in the Arctic—four bars and 5G!
WHAT TO PACK
While I plan to write my own post on what to pack for Svalbard in the summer, this packing video from Visit Svalbard is quite accurate. However, I’d like to emphasize a few key points:
- Waterproof Footwear: With summer temperatures just above freezing, the ground is often soggy. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots are ideal.
- Wind Protection: The wind is a constant presence. A windproof (and ideally waterproof) outer layer, including both jacket and pants, is essential for excursions.
- Hiking Gloves and Hat: The wind can make it feel much colder, so be sure to bring hiking gloves and a hat.
- Eye Protection: Protect your eyes from dust and the sun with good sunglasses.
- Skincare: Don’t forget sunscreen, moisturizer, and lip balm to take care of your skin in the harsh conditions.
- Eye Mask: Bring an eye mask for sleeping; it’s challenging to fully block out the midnight sun in most hotel rooms, even with blackout blinds!
HOW TO BOOK
Adventures to Isfjord Adventure Hotell can be booked through Basecamp Explorer. This company offers a wide array of both summer and winter excursions. They also have two other unique properties: The Basecamp Hotel in Longyearbyen and Nordenskiöld Lodge, located at the edge of Nordenskiöld Glacier.
Learn more at: Basecamp Explorer.
INSURANCE
After reviewing our existing travel medical insurance, we weren’t confident it would ensure evacuation to a hospital of our choice in the unlikely event of a serious incident. Given that the nearest hospital in Longyearbyen wouldn’t be ideal for major issues, we opted to add a family policy from Global Rescue for a little extra peace of mind.
Note: Although Global Rescue offers evacuation services (rather than general travel medical coverage), they do provide 24/7 consultation with doctors. I tested their services a month later when my daughter developed mild altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru. Their support was exceptional. They assisted me over the phone and by email to find appropriate medical care in an unfamiliar city. They then followed up throughout her recovery in the following days.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m writing this post about a month after our visit to Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel. I like to let our adventure trips marinate for a bit to gain some perspective on the experience.
My husband, our two young-adult children, and I all thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Isfjord Hotel. More importantly, it was a truly memorable experience. We would seriously consider returning for a winter adventure next time. However, it’s worth noting that Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel may not be for everyone.
Despite offering luxury-style accommodations, the level of service and amenities—while impressive for such a remote location—cannot match those of a luxury city hotel. I also want to revisit the topic of shared bathrooms. From the polls I’ve conducted on my Instagram account, I know that this is a dealbreaker for many; in fact, 33% of my audience says they would never consider it.
If you think this trip is a fit for you, I just highly encourage you to thoroughly read reviews on both Tripadvisor and Google so you really have a clear understanding of what the experience is like. (It’s very expensive – you want to have your expectations in check.) Please don’t end up like poor disgruntled previous guest Adriana (1 out of 5 stars): “I asked for a cheese and ham sandwich (paying, ok, I didn’t want it as a gift). and they couldn’t.” and “There is no room service.” I can assure you that either she didn’t do her research or her travel advisor didn’t.
LEARN MORE
Should you have specific questions about visiting Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel, please feel free to reach out to me via direct message on Instagram, Facebook or by email.
If you want to see more of our unique adventures, I would love for you to follow along with The Better Beyond on Instagram!
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