Escape to the heart of the Norwegian wilderness with Hvilepust

For many, summer transforms the city into a sweltering concrete jungle filled with blaring noise, heat-induced headaches, and swarms of tourists. If, on the other hand, you want to escape the endless queues and crammed buses, Norway’s wilderness offers the perfect antidote to busy city life. Here, you’ll swap people for bird song and chlorinated swimming pools for freshwater lakes and rivers – the perfect opportunity to unplug from the hustle of the metropolis for a while.

“Hvilepust offers a luxurious glamping experience in 360-degree transparent glass igloos among the natural gems of Eastern Norway,” says Rolf Arne Leer, founder of Hvilepust. “All our locations are off the beaten path, so you are completely on your own and can enjoy the company of your travel companions.”

Located in some of the most beautiful landscapes, the Hvilepust igloos offer the perfect opportunity to unwind and reconnect with nature, both from the inside and outside. With panoramic views, each igloo immerses you fully in the surroundings, from lush forests to tree-top retreats.

“For travellers making their way from Oslo to Norway’s mighty West Coast, two of our igloos are situated on the way there and make a perfect pitstop, whether just for a night or for a few days away from the rest of the travelling population,” Leer says.

From the noise of the Big Apple to the peace of nature

Hvilepust’s story begins far away from the lakeshores and tranquillity of the Norwegian wilderness, in the busiest place of them all; New York City.

“After five years in New York, where I ran a magazine, organised events, and lived in the centre of the fast-paced rat race, the pandemic brought an involuntary pause. I temporarily returned to Norway from New York, thinking I was going to ride out Covid in my cabin,” explains Leer.

Suddenly thrown into some of the calmest and most peaceful surroundings in the world, Leer found himself finally able to sit back, breathe, and take a much-needed break. What had started out as a temporary return home to sit out the storm of the global pandemic turned into a permanent decision. Nature had done something good for him. “It was peace of mind in a chaotic world,” he says. “From there, I started Hvilepust as a chance to help others find the same solace that I experienced.”

Unwind, relax and reconnect

One of the best things about Hvilepust is that it serves as a reset button. Here, you can enjoy quality time with a partner, family, friends or yourself and an entirely private igloo and the forest at your fingertips.

With Norwegian summers bringing warm temperatures, it is convenient that most locations are situated near a refreshing body of water. On top of that, the terrains are peaceful and the trees plentiful. Take some time to birdwatch, listen to the trees, or watch the stars from inside the igloo at night, and do so in the most comfortable way. Hvilepust offers more than just a place to sleep, with each igloo designed as a multi-functional space and plenty of room to relax and lounge.

“We’ve chosen not to make the bed the focal point. Instead, the igloos are designed as cosy lounges with several chill-out zones, so guests can enjoy a meal or a glass of wine before unwinding for the night,” says Leer. “You’ll have no neighbours, no noise, and you can do with the day as you want. Whether you want to cook up a meal in the woodstove outside the igloo, hike, go for a dip in the nearby water, or just dance around in your birthday suit, you can do that.”

More than anything, Leer hopes that Hvilepust can provide a chance for people to reconnect with their surroundings and people, as well as the natural world. “When I’m in the city nowadays, I often find that people are glued to their screens and thus very disconnected from the real world. I’m hoping that a stay at one of our igloos will give people a chance to get away from that,” he says. “Our igloos have phone boxes that can be locked, question cards for those who want to get to know each other better, and guests can capture their memories with polaroid cameras.”

Should you miss the buzz of the city, however, most of the igloos are not too far away, with some locations easily accessible by public transport. Further, Leer explains that the hosts at each location have put their unique touch on the experience, offering everything from alpaca walks to canoe rentals, fishing equipment, breakfast in bed, and glamping.

So, if you yearn to rediscover life’s simple pleasures, why not dip your toes into Hvilepust’s serene igloos this summer? With nature as your only neighbour, you can kick back, relax, and breathe out.

Web: www.hvilepust.com
Instagram: @hvilepust_
Facebook: HvilePust

Use code EXHALE10 for 10 per cent off all stays throughout 2025 when booking on Hvilepust’s website.