Krystall, Norway

Posted in Future on 11 August, 2015

Offering a unique point of view to witness the Aurora Borealis, Dutch Docklands release plans to build a floating hotel shaped as a snowflake…

Isolated in its private surroundings, a giant snowflake will sail on the lake to offer diverse views. With all-changing scenery, the sky will be the main attraction for guests staying at the Krystall Hotel. Located in one of the most northern cities, Tromso in Norway attracts mass audiences each year to see the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the northern lights.

Leading not only the design, but also the completed development, Dutch Docklands are responsible for the ambitious concept and its construction. Fully aware of the tasks and challenges ahead and with many years experience in floating projects, CEO of Dutch Docklands, Paul van de Camp says, “Tromso is an incredible natural miracle. We wanted to create the hotel property like an ice crystal to create a special atmosphere that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world.”

Of course, with a property like this there is the challenge of safety to overcome before the project moves into construction stages. van de Camp explains, “Safety is one of the key issues that we are working on at the moment. There are extensive regulations for floating [public] buildings, which we are looking into and will have to adhere to.”

Set to open in 2017, the hotel will include a restaurant, conference centre and around 80 guestrooms with the unique feature of each room’s ceilings opening up to reveal exposed skies. van de Camp explains, “The idea that guest will be able to open their ceilings to reveal the most spectacular view is a very exciting one. It will be like an ice-bar effect among comfortable surroundings of a five-star hotel.”

Inspired by floating houses that are already open in the Netherlands, the property will be constructed with a concrete base and tethered with cables to the adjacent fjords. A lack of firm foundations mean the complete structure will be able to sway from being six to 10 feet to each side of its epicentre, but guests should be oblivious to these gradual shifts in position.

Dutch Docklands has yet to confirm which hospitality group is backing the project or how much it is expected to cost.

Subtle in its design, the limited impact on the local landscape has allowed for this project to go ahead. Should the development keep to its expected schedule, it will be the first floating hotel to operate in Europe.