Build Bath & Shower

The Arctic Bath, a unique luxury hotel and spa floating on the Lule river in Swedish Lapland is scheduled to open in 2018. Reminiscent of a bird’s nest or natural dam, the exteriors of the circular spa buildings will be covered with piled logs, providing added insulation to guests during the winter months. The spa buildings, with saunas, treatment and relaxation rooms, a restaurant and lounge bar, will encircle an open-air cold bath. Accommodation will take the form of six minimalist floating cabins which will be moored to the spa buildings. Arctic Bath – open all year – will be free-floating on the river during the summer and frozen in place in winter. It will be located outside the village of Harads, 50km south of the Arctic Circle. Designed by architects Bertil Harstr öm and Johan Kauppi, the concept for the hotel and spa was inspired by the region's logging heritage, with its distinctive design acting as a reminder of the importance of the forest in Swedish history. Arctic...

Hotel Review: After the 25th "I'm exhausted and I can't keep working these crazy hours," I decided it was time to force my husband to take a vacation, and although he was (and is) a classic workaholic, he sheepishly agreed. Knowing that I travel somewhat extensively for my job, he left the destination up to me. My choice — a magnificently restored hacienda in the Yucatan region of Mexico, known simply as Hacienda Petac. After a short flight from our home in South Florida, we began our journey via rental car to the tiny village of Petac, about 30 minutes outside the city of Merida. I should probably explain what I mean by tiny. I mean two streets, a soccer field, a basketball court, two churches of different denominations, a corn grinding factory , known locally as a tortillaria, as well as three corner stores known as tiendas. That's what I mean by small. In truth, the village of Petac exists because of the Hacienda. Consisting of roughly 170 residents, m...