Ytrí Island Retreat will be Norway's most remote luxury hotel when it debuts next year on Træna, a wild archipelago 60 kilometres off the coast. Olivia Palamountain reports

A luxury hotel where fish is caught each morning for dinner and guests gather to watch the Northern Lights is preparing to open on one of Norway's most isolated archipelagos.

Now open for bookings, Ytrí Island Retreat will launch in April 2026 on Træna, an archipelago 60 kilometres off the coast, in line with the Arctic Circle. The project represents 10 years of development by local enthusiasts who wanted to invite the world into their island community.

The hotel's name derives from Old Norse, with Ytrí meaning "the outer one" – reflecting its remote location. It will feature 38 rooms and suites, a Northern Lights lounge, bar and seafood restaurant. Additional facilities include meeting and co-working spaces, a wood-fired sauna, yoga and wellness area, a boathouse, guest harbour and a sandy beach.
Guests can reach the island by ferry, travelling as locals do, hop aboard one of Ytrí's private boats or even arrive by helicopter (the hotel has its own helipad). On arrival at Træna, the hotel will meet guests at Husøy and transport them to the property.

Kine Willumsen, general manager of Ytrí, says: "Ytrí is a unique retreat far out in the open sea – built on 9,000 years of history and in close collaboration with the people of the island. Here, our guests will find community, connection and care – a place creating memories for life while taking care of both the island and the people who live here."
Designed by Vardehaugen Arkitekter, the architecture draws inspiration from old fishing villages along the coast, known for their colourful houses, solid buildings, piers and fishing facilities. The houses are created in harmony with the landscape and shaped by the harsh coastal climate. Nature trails, formed over thousands of years, connect the buildings to their surroundings.

The design features minimalist yet warm interiors, carefully framed views and materials chosen to resonate with the environment.The hotel commits to sustainability, local sourcing and low-impact operation. It will partner with regional producers for food, celebrate Norwegian cultural heritage and support ecological stewardship of the island environment.

The 48-seat restaurant will serve a daily four-course menu centred on fish sourced each morning from the ocean surrounding the hotel, paired with vegetables from Ytrí's own garden and greenhouse. A chef's table will offer a 12-course tasting menu celebrating Nordic ingredients and craftsmanship.