Skip to main content

Norway’s Manshausen Island Resort is a Minimalist Retreat Founded by a Real-Life Explorer

Norway's Manshausen Island Resort
Borge Ousland Photo

In your early twenties, vacation means crowds, loud music, bright colors, and even brighter sunburns. But as you get deeper into adulthood, something shifts. You start to crave space over socializing, restful quiet over fast-paced excitement. Moreover, you grow a little more discerning about the digs you’ll be inhabiting. You want more than just a place to crash — you want a space that inspires your mind and nurtures your soul in the same way as your natural surroundings do.

When you want a getaway in every sense of the word, look no further than the sea cabins at Manshausen Island. The setting: a series of modern minimalist bungalows perched in natural outcroppings in the rocky terrain or along the island’s 15th-century stone jetty. The location: a 55-acre former trading post in Norway’s remote Steigen Archipelago, just south of the Lofoten Island chain. Some people might balk at the nearly 20-hour car/train/ferry journey required to reach the island from Oslo; those people are welcome to spend their vacation at a suburban waterpark.

Founded by celebrated polar explorer Børge Ousland, the resort’s lodging is designed by Norwegian architect Snorre Stinessen, who won several architectural honors for how his design of these functional modular spaces heightens people’s connection with their natural environment. Cantilevered over the island’s natural topography, Manshausen’s sea cabins feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows oriented for optimal viewing as well as privacy. With their natural larch wood interiors and Corian kitchens and bathrooms, the cabins have a light, airy atmosphere that adds to the feeling of floating amid the ethereal landscape. Visitors enjoy the incomparable experience of falling asleep in the glow of the Northern Lights and enjoying their morning coffee while watching gigantic sea eagles wheel against the sky.

Recommended Videos

Given its history as a fishing port, Manshausen Island is the perfect place to seek calm with the help of a boat and a line. The island is surrounded by white sand beaches composed of the dust from the coral reefs of West Fjord. The island’s rocky hills offer hikes from easy to strenuous, all offering spectacular views as a reward. The truly intrepid can venture out to climb the island’s red granite cliff faces, explore Resshola, the “troll cave,” down to its 140m depth, or brave the cold waters of the West Fjord for a diving expedition.

Since even low-key adventures in these northerly climates are demanding on the body and mind, you’ll be well served by a visit to Manshausen’s open-air wooden hot tub and sauna. If you’re feeling extra hardy, you can counteract the soporific effect of the heat with a bracing dash into the resort’s salt-water dam. Bring your heart rate back down again with a late-night chill sesh in Manshausen’s main house library, where you can enjoy a drink from the in-house bar, books from Børge Ousland’s personal collection, and views of the night sky from the lofty glass ceiling.

Manshausen Island resort was designed to be a place for visitors to explore the harmony between themselves and nature. Whether you spend your visit basking in the island’s pristine natural surroundings, or sitting in silence before the ever-shifting vista outside your cabin window, each moment offers a new encounter with the world, and a new understanding of yourself as someone in it.

Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
Your ultimate guide to delicious winter camping meals
Stay warm with these winter camping meal suggestions
Man winter camping with a green tent

Many discard the idea of winter camping because of its challenges, but despite the cold temperatures, this winter activity is actually pretty fun. As long as you're warm and well-fed, winter camping can be a great opportunity to connect with nature. In this guide, we'll give you the expertise you need to cover winter camping meals so that you and your crew stay full during your adventure.
General tips for preparing winter camping meals

Keep it simple
Winter conditions can make even the most basic tasks more challenging, so it’s essential to stick to simple, straightforward meals. Complex recipes that require a lot of chopping, have multiple steps, or need delicate cooking techniques can be difficult to manage when you’re cold and tired. Instead, focus on one-pot meals or recipes that can be pre-prepped at home.

Read more
From art to outdoor adventures: The best of Santa Fe
Explore 'The City Different'
Sky view of Santa Fe

Perched high in the desert of the American Southwest, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a city as rich in history as it is in charm. Founded back in 1610, it’s the oldest state capital in the U.S., and you can feel that deep blend of cultures -- Native American, Spanish, and Anglo -- everywhere you go. Known as "The City Different," Santa Fe stands out with its unique adobe architecture, bustling art scene, and laid-back vibe.

Whether you’re into art, food, or history or are just looking for a cool place to explore, Santa Fe has something for everyone. Think world-class museums, mouthwatering New Mexican food, and quirky shops perfect for one-of-a-kind treasures. We’ll take you through some of the best things to do in Santa Fe, from savoring the local cuisine to diving into its cultural gems and hitting up the best shopping spots.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

Read more
What happens if you miss a connecting flight? These travel tips will help you save your trip
Follow these tips if you miss your connecting flight
Woman at airport

Making a connection between flights is often a seamless experience; your plane lands on time, you grab your carry-on, and you make your way over to the gate to board your connecting flight to your destination. Sometimes, you even have time to grab a quick meal at the airport. Other times, you may find yourself running full speed through the airport to make it to your plane. Missing connecting flights is an unfortunate aspect of frequent air travel. But what happens if you miss your connection? Navigating the aftermath of a missed connecting flight can be intimidating and challenging, but with the right travel tips, you can make it to your final destination with minimal stress.
Missing a connecting flight: The common causes

Several things can cause a traveler to miss their connecting flight. These factors range from airline-related issues to personal oversights. Generally, an airline will not sell you a ticket if they don’t believe you can make your connecting flight, but flight delays of even a few minutes can quickly cascade into missed connections. 

Read more