Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Swedish Winter Wonderland
Photo: Måns Berg
Photo: Jens Wennerberg
Photo: KUST Hotel & Spa
New design hotel in the north KUST Hotel & Spa is a real gem. In addition to a fabulous spa, a popular restaurant and the highest-located sky bar in northern Sweden, this exciting new design hotel has a locally rooted concept and personal touch. Get ready to become KUST-ified. By Malin Norman
Opened in July 2016, KUST Hotel & Spa is a new design hotel located in Piteå, Norrbotten. Building work commenced in 2014 and the hotel was first lovingly called the Tree Crown, from the name of the block where it is located. Eventually renamed KUST, the hotel’s innovative concept, themed from mountain to coast, is strongly linked to Pite River, which travels from the Sulitelma glaciers and eventually discharges in the Gulf of Bothnia. Each of the 14 floors has a certain connection to the river, be it in colours and shapes or furniture and design details. For instance, one floor has expressions of the local dialect printed on the walls, while another tells the story of worldfamous botanist Daniel Solander, who was born in Piteå. Moreover, the confer56 | Issue 107 | December 2017
ence facilities are inspired by important industries along the coast.
Prized architecture The exterior was created by Ettelva Arkitekter with a concrete façade, a metal raster symbolising the traditional timber floating along the river, and irregularly placed windows. The façade absorbs pollution, which has earned the hotel this year’s prominent environmental prize at the national Concrete Awards. KUST Hotel & Spa has also won the World Luxury Hotel Awards and been nominated for Building of the Year as well as the Swedish Design Prize. Owned by the Skoog Group as originally set up by Tage Skoog in 1963, the hotel is run by his children Christina and Roland Skoog. Their ambition has long
been to build a new landmark along the northern coast, and together with interior designer Jenny Jonfors they have created a design dream. “We talk about people being KUST-ified,” explains hotel manager Carina Wiklund. “It’s a mix of ambition, generosity and a personal touch. You can get a long way with beautiful design, but at the end of the day it’s the personal approach that really makes a difference.” The hotel also hosts a fabulous spa based around an 11-step spa ritual and the hotel’s own products in collaboration with Ingrid K, as well as a terrace with an outdoor pool. Another example of its excellence is the top-floor restaurant Tage, named after Skoog Group’s founder, which is listed in the White Guide. A final must-see is of course the sky bar, with those to-die-for views of Piteå. Web: www.hotellkust.com Facebook: hotellkust Instagram: @hotellkust