Ytri on Træna where the sea makes room for calm

SKØN JOURNAL / TRAVEL

At SKØN, care begins with the small things we give our time and attention to. We take that thought with us in our travel series, visiting selected hotels and retreats that have chosen our skincare. We invite you inside, sharing the places, people and experiences that make them worth travelling for, alongside practical advice for your own stay. This time, our journey takes us to Ytri on Træna, where the sea sets the pace.

There is a particular kind of wanderlust that arrives when the diary is full and your mind keeps working long after the laptop has closed. A longing for an uninterrupted view, something other than notifications to listen to, and a cup of coffee you actually finish while it is still warm.

That longing has an address: Ytri Island Retreat on Træna, off Norway’s Helgeland coast. Here, the sea, Nordic architecture and a living island community come together in a stay that gives you room to slow down. A day might begin with a walk to the water, continue in the warmth of the sauna and end over a meal that tastes unmistakably of its surroundings.

At SKØN, we have a special connection to Ytri. Our skincare is part of the stay, and we are proud to supply a place where care and attention can be felt in so many of the choices behind it.

Island life with a story of its own

Træna comprises 477 islands, islets and skerries. It is home to one of Norway’s oldest fishing communities, with traces of human settlement stretching back more than 9,000 years. Ytri sits on Husøy, within an island community where the sea still shapes both working life and everyday routines.

That gives a stay here a particular sense of place. Beyond the view are local meeting spots, stories and people whose lives continue when visitors return home. Taking time to explore the community brings a deeper understanding of the islands you have travelled to.

The hotel grew from a local initiative, taking shape over around ten years. Its name, Ytri, comes from Old Norse and means “the outer point”. The buildings draw inspiration from the coast’s traditional fishing villages, making that connection to the islands visible in the architecture itself.

Ask your hosts which local places are open during your visit. Ytri recommends Træna Kaffekollektiv, Havfolkets Hus and Aloha Café, among others. Settle in, order something warm and leave room for a conversation to change the day’s plans.

Award-winning design with the view at its heart

Ytri won the Hotel Design category at the Falstaff LIVING Design Awards 2026. The award recognises the work of Vardehaugen Architects and Bonaparte Interiør, responsible for the architecture and interiors respectively.

There is a clear consideration for how a room feels to spend time in. Timber, soft textiles and generous windows give the landscape space, while the materials connect the interiors to the islands. In its account of Ytri’s interiors and materials, the hotel describes terrazzo made with local sand, stone and shells, alongside timber flooring produced from Norwegian spruce offcuts.

It is easy to understand the appeal of somewhere that lets your eyes rest. The view becomes a reason to stay in your chair, and the changing light can transform the room before you have finished your first cup of tea.

Accommodation ranges from Superior rooms to larger suites. Deluxe rooms have two lounge chairs, while the suites offer sitting areas and fireplaces. Choose according to how you would like to spend your time. If your plans involve reading, watching the sea and enjoying a quiet afternoon in your room, a comfortable place to sit is worth prioritising. Explore Ytri’s rooms, and ask about the view when booking.

Wellness beside the sea

At Ytri, nature stays close, even when the day is devoted to wellness. You can warm up in the sauna, sink into the outdoor hot tub or take a dip in the sea. If you would like someone else to guide the experience, the hotel offers a guided sauna ritual.

The ritual lasts an hour, with no more than six participants. A ritual host begins with a gentle guided meditation before introducing heat, breath and essential oils in the wood-fired sauna. Between rounds, you can step into the fresh air, choose a cold shower or venture into the sea. The outdoor hot tub offers another pause overlooking the water, before the ritual concludes with a pure cacao face mask, handmade on the neighbouring island of Dønna.

Moving between warmth, fresh air and moments of rest gives you time to notice how your body feels and let your thoughts settle. Leave a little space around the experience, so there is time for a cup of tea and a quiet moment afterwards.

Bring swimwear, remove your jewellery and keep water to hand. Follow your host’s guidance and choose the heat and cold that feel comfortable for you. A sea swim need not be a test you have to pass.

View Ytri’s current sauna ritual, and reserve ahead if it is an important part of your trip.

SKØN as part of the stay

We love the thought of SKØN becoming part of the small moments between the day’s experiences: washing your hands after a walk outside, or taking a warm shower after a day beside the sea. Our bathroom products also feature in Condé Nast Traveler’s story about Ytri.

That slower rhythm can carry through into your daily skincare. After a walk by the water or a bath, there is time to notice the scent, massage the product into your skin and let your hands move a little more slowly than usual.

At SKØN Skincare, we create skincare whose quality can be felt in both the ingredients and the way it sits on the skin. We give careful attention to soft, comforting textures, delicate scents and nourishing care that supports the skin’s balance. A small daily luxury that feels at home in Ytri’s sensory surroundings.

To take a little of that feeling home, begin with a simple ritual after bathing. Slowly massage a body lotion into clean, dry skin, allowing it to absorb before getting dressed. Our Essence Body Lotion brings together shea butter and jojoba oil with a delicate white rose scent. A moment of care that makes it rather pleasant to linger in the bathroom, even once everyday life has resumed.

Food worth lingering over

At Ytri, meals follow the sea and the seasons. Restaurant Alma serves a four-course evening menu centred on local fish and seafood. If dining is a particular focus of your stay, the hotel also offers a seasonal Chef’s Table tasting menu, currently listed from Wednesday to Saturday. Both menus can be accompanied by wine or alcohol-free pairings.

Breakfast is served at your table, with fresh bread, homemade spreads and seasonal local ingredients. It is a good reason to begin the day without rushing. Later, find a seat in the lounge, where the menu includes fish soup, shellfish and cakes from the hotel’s pastry chef.

We would reserve an evening at Alma and enquire about the Chef’s Table if food is one of your reasons for travelling. Share any allergies or dietary requirements before arrival, so the hotel can discuss the options and you can look forward to dinner.

There should also be an afternoon for coffee and cake. No further justification required.

Discover more about dining at Ytri.

Let nature have a say

On the neighbouring island of Sanna lies Kirkehelleren, a vast cave with a long history as a gathering place. Ask your hosts about visiting if you would like to explore more of Træna. The hotel also describes opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding and cycling, alongside guided experiences. Arrange activities and equipment with the hotel according to the weather and your experience.

Our suggestion is to choose one longer excursion and leave the rest of your stay more open. You can travel a long way to take a short walk, and on some days there is plenty to experience simply by watching the sky change above the water.

The season makes a difference. Summer brings long, light days and the midnight sun. Autumn offers a quieter pace and sharper light, while winter can bring both storms and the Northern Lights. The latter are, of course, entirely up to nature, so choose the season you would most enjoy experiencing in its own right.

Planning a journey with time to settle in

A trip to Ytri begins well before you arrive, and the transport deserves a little extra attention. The hotel’s travel guide to Træna describes routes via Bodø, Mo i Rana and Sandnessjøen, with onward boat connections to the islands. The express boat journey is listed as approximately an hour and a half from Stokkvågen and two and a half hours from Sandnessjøen. From Bodø, the boat journey is longer and includes a change at Onøy.

If travelling from Denmark, coordinate your flights and boat connections before fixing the rest of your plans. Ask the hotel for help with the journey and allow some flexibility for the weather. You will find practical details in Ytri’s travel guide.

We would choose at least three nights if time allows. That leaves room to arrive, take an excursion and enjoy a day with no particular obligations.

Pack windproof outerwear, layers for changing temperatures, sturdy shoes and swimwear. The hotel’s room descriptions mention bathrobes, wellington boots and a tote bag with a beach towel. Confirm what is included with your reservation so you can pack accordingly.

Explore Ytri’s stay packages, which include Relax & Recharge, Love & Reconnect and stays with a focus on gastronomy. Check which meals and experiences are included and which need to be booked separately. Having those details settled leaves more time to enjoy being there.

Permission to be a little less productive

Ytri is worth considering for a romantic escape, a few days with a friend or time away on your own, if you are longing for the sea, good food and a gentler rhythm. The architecture makes you want to stay indoors, while the landscape draws you outside. A walk down to the water can become as much a part of the day as a dinner reservation.

At SKØN, we appreciate the care that makes an everyday action feel worthwhile. Washing your hands after a windswept walk, giving your skin a little extra attention and settling into a comfortable chair without immediately needing to move on.

On Træna, there is a whole horizon to do it with.

Explore Ytri Island Retreat, or visit SKØN Skincare for inspiration for your own small pauses.

About the collaboration

The travel experience and this article have been developed in collaboration with our partner Nordic Sanctuary, which represents SKØN Skincare in Norway. SKØN supplies skincare to Ytri Island Retreat.