Spa hotel in Åre - close to nature at Copperhill Mountain Lodge

We have spent a few hours at a nice spa hotel in Åre, namely at the luxurious Copperhill Mountain Lodge close to nature. The hotel is located on a mountain and offers both a relaxing spa and a Nordic menu with local ingredients. What we liked best was lying in the warm water and looking out over the snowy landscape and the skiers outside the large windows.

Copperhill Mountain Lodge

To get to the Copperhill Mountain Lodge we had to go up, up, up with the bus. How far up could the hotel actually be? We soon learned that the building is located 730 metres above sea level, right at the tree line on Förberget. Up here you find one of the largest wooden buildings in the Nordic region: a 19,000 square metre hotel with 112 rooms, six conference rooms, a restaurant, spa, gym and ski rental.

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History of the hotel

We were told a bit about the history of the hotel, and it feels like the building has gone through a roller coaster ride. It all started with a visionary idea, and architect Peter Bohlin was commissioned to design a hotel with natural materials, warm lounge areas and modern design. As soon as you enter the lobby, you feel the special atmosphere. The ceiling height is 22 metres, and a huge fireplace extends all the way to the ceiling.

The name Copperhill (Kopparberg) comes from the fact that from the 1700s to the early 1900s, copper ore was mined in the area around Fröå, near the hotel. In today's hotel, the material is reflected in a 230 square metre copper wall.

What happened next, by the way? Well, the construction of this spa hotel in Åre, which was originally intended to include condominiums, was cancelled in 2007 when the then owner Vanilla Ventures ran into problems. Dutch investors Peter Kat and Frans Scholtes took over and the hotel opened in 2008.

Shortly after opening, the hotel, which had cost around SEK 730 million to build, fell into financial crisis and was put up for sale. In August 2009, the hotel was bought by Petter Stordalen for SEK 200 million and has since been run by his company Nordic Choice Hotels.

You can now read on the hotel's website that they are about to create "new history". They plan to build small cottages, a chapel, a dining room and a spa behind the hotel.

Hotel rooms close to nature

We (unfortunately) didn't stay at Mountain Copperhill Lodge, but we wish we could have spent a few nights here! We asked to look at a room, and at first it sounded like it would be difficult, as everything was fully booked. Then we were told that there was a small "gap" of ten minutes when a room was available ...

The room we looked at had four beds (a double bed and a bunk bed) in separate rooms, as well as a living room, bathroom and a small kitchen area. Scandinavian style simplicity along with large windows looking out onto a white and snowy winter landscape. Of course, there are also other rooms, ranging from two to eight beds.

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Nordic menu with local ingredients

The hotel's restaurant focuses on Nordic food culture and local ingredients, and the menu includes plaice, ox cheek and veal and dill. The starters are possibly even more interesting, and you can try elk tartare, bone marrow or "poor man's asparagus" (black root with hollandaise and roasted hazelnuts), or why not go for the starter "pickled cucumber and liquor"? For ourselves, we tried some small appetisers: small potatoes with lion roe, thin bread with elk meat and rolls with trout roe. Fantastically good!

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Spa hotel in Åre with fantastic views

Mountain Copperhill Lodge has a spa with magical views of the white plains. Guests staying at the hotel have free access to the Level Spa & Health Club, but it is also possible to come as an external guest and only pay for access to the spa.

We arrived here after a few hours on the Alpine World Cup in Åre and it was really nice to slide into the warm water. What we really liked here was the extra warm water in the large pool and the wonderful view. Just outside the windows you have a ski slope where the children go up the button lift with skis or snow racer.

At this spa hotel in Åre, in addition to the pools, you also have access to a sauna - with equally fantastic views! Guests can choose from a variety of spa treatments, such as full body treatments, massages, facials, lash colouring, makeup and more. You can also book a 'private spa', and there are different packages such as 'spa and breakfast'.

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We were very happy with our afternoon at the spa hotel in Åre! Have you been to Copperhill Mountain Lodge?

Facts about Copperhill Mountain Lodge

• Where? Copperhill Mountain Lodge, Åre Björnen, 837 97 Åre.
  The hotel is located at the top of Förberget, 7 km from central Åre and 2.5 km from the centre of Åre Björnens. 
• How to get here? You can fly to Åre/Östersund (1 hour transfer) or to Trondheim/Værnes (2 hour transfer). Travel time by car is about 8 hours from Stockholm and about 10 hours from Gothenburg. Trains run directly to Åre, with daily departures, from Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm and Trondheim.
• Opening hours? The hotel is open every day around the clock until 28 April 2019. For opening hours after this, see the hotel's website. The restaurant and spa are open on the same dates as the hotel. Lunch is served 11:30-15:00, and dinner is served 18:00-22:00. Level Spa & Health Club is open 06:00-20:00.
• Prices? Room rates at this spa hotel in Åre vary by room and date. Entry to the spa costs external guests 295 SEK (06-14) or 495 SEK (14-20). Main courses at the restaurant cost between 210-295 SEK (2019).
• Read more: Copperhills website

This trip was a press trip, organised by the Austrian Tourism Agency.