Drift to sleep as icebergs float by your bungalow
There are few places where waking up feels like an instant adventure.
At this lodge, not only does the day ahead present the possibility of whale sightings, photogenic huts and hiking trails, but it also starts with an iceberg check.
Before brushing your teeth, a peek out the window will reveal how many icebergs have floated into the bay overnight, or perhaps, even drifted out. The thrill is that it all depends on the seas, the wind, and those big floating beauties. You could wake to a 50ft frozen monster in front, or a whole bunch of bergy bits, bobbing around in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Ilimanaq Lodge is located on the southern side of Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO site on Greenland’s west coast. Open from mid-June to early September, the lodge is remote, relaxing but oh so effortlessly luxurious.
It’s easy to think a remote lodge will lean more toward the rustic side, but here, the beds are comfy, the lounge is spacious, the meals are world-class and the little extras, architecture and stylish decor all make for one of the best experiences you can have if you’re seeking a mix of adventure and luxury.
Each bungalow also has an expansive balcony that looks over the sea if you’re prone to an evening of iceberg watching under the midnight sun.
THE LOCATION
Ilimanaq is a small settlement located approximately 15km south of Ilulissat. Access is via boat across the icefjord which presents an opportunity to get up close to the might icebergs floating throughout Disko Bay.
Guests staying at Ilimanaq Lodge will have transfers provided as part of their stay, or you can also do a day trip to Ilimanaq…I’d highly recommend at least one overnight stay to truly soak up the beauty of this destination! Diskoline and World of Greenland both operate services throughout the summer months, as do a number of other local tour operators.
It is possible to access Ilimanaq during winter by helicopter, or with dogsled, snowmobile or snowshoe from Qasigiannguit to the south.
The settlement has a population of only 53, last counted in 2020 and operates mainly as a fishing village, in addition to the tourism portion provided by the lodge.
THE DESIGN
Perched on the rocky shores, the A-frame design of the bungalows immediately stands out as you approach Ilimanaq by boat. However, at the same time, they’re also blending in, with the tones and materials used reflecting those of the surrounding rock and tundra.
There are 15 bungalows, all connected by wooden walkways yet spaced generously to ensure privacy and sprawling, uninterrupted views from each balcony. The angles and outlook have been cleverly designed to provide each bungalow with sea views not only from the deck, but from the bedroom upstairs.
The A-frame layout allows for a lot of space downstairs where the lounge area and bathroom are situated, then a staircase leads up to the bedroom, offering a warm cosy vibe. Due to the interior mezzanine where the bedroom sits, you’re able to snuggle in bed and watch out the large windows to watch the midnight sun, stars or even aurora in early September is possible!
THE LITTLE LUXURIES
The first thing to note is the friendly welcome, with your lodge hosts greeting you off the boat and sharing insights about Ilimanaq, the lodge and how you can make the most of your stay. Your luggage will then be whisked away to your bungalow, while you wander towards it and get your first glimpse of the views!
In the rooms, there are coffee and tea facilities so you can sip a warm drink while photographing icebergs from your deck (my kind of photography!), and there are local beers, a selection of wines and snacks available to purchase also.
The idea behind the lodge is that you’re equipped to stay in your bungalow all day if you wish to read a book, photograph some bergs and relax. All you’ll need to do is stroll down to the bistro for breakfast, they’ll pack your lunch and then you can return for a wander to dinner – it’s glorious! I’ll share more for those keen on filling their days with adventure a little further down the page.
All bungalows are powered with solar energy to support the green initiatives in place, and any additional power is passed to the local settlement.
Oh, and one unexpected luxury that ensures you’ll have access to uninterrupted natural beauty…the bungalows are wifi free. Use the time to soak up the magic of your surroundings, to listen to the waves, the bobbing bergs and the birds. It’s the perfect opportunity to really take a break, unwind, and escape a little.
THE FOOD
Restaurant Egede and its expert team of chefs serve up a menu of Greenlandic ingredients, providing a gastronomic experience to pair with your wine and the surrounding wilderness. Having visited back in 2019, then again in 2024, I’ve been lucky enough to experience the menu prepared by Restaurant Egede, and also that of the Michelin-starred team behind KOKS, which collaborated with the lodge between 2022-2024.
From 2025, the Egede team are back and you can enjoy meals on the deck overlooking the sea, or inside, where it’s snug, Nordic and feels as carefully designed as the dishes themselves.
Take a peek at some of the meals below.
THE ADVENTURES + PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
If you’re eager to get out and about, you can photograph sunrise from your balcony, investigate the new icebergs in the bay, before heading down for breakfast then taking an all-day hike to the icefjord shores, or south along the coast.
The settlement of Ilimanaq itself is very photogenic with the traditional colourful houses, Greenland dogs in most yards, and of course, the dramatic coastline, distant peaks of Disko Bay, and whatever giant icebergs are floating by.
To make the most of the scenery, venture up toward the cemetery for one of the highest points in the settlement which allows you to photograph over the colourful houses and compress the distant peaks, bringing the scene closer together.
See the below image which was captured with the OM-1 MKII + 40-150mm f2.8 zoom lens and the MC-20 2 x teleconverter. Such a classic shot that you can compose in multiple ways by moving around and featuring the different coloured buildings.
To the north, there’s a trail that leads toward the icefjord. You can wander the entire track which takes up to 10hrs, or you can take your time, take plenty of photos and see how far you get. Even just walking to the top of the first hill provides stunning views toward the icefjord!
There are various excursions you can take while staying at Ilimanaq Lodge including a guided Settlement walk, Tundra Hike, or, you can sail down to Itilliup Ilua and venture in off-road vehicles to Tasiusaq Fjord and two glaciers!
As with all visual hotel reviews, I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking. If I can say one last thing, a stay here is like a breath of fresh air and the most beautiful way to spend your last day or two in Greenland, particularly if you’re visiting Ilulissat.
Read more about a stay here – https://worldofgreenland.com/en/ilimanaq-lodge/
(because I photographed the lodge for World of Greenland back in 2019, you’ll actually find a lot of my imagery scattered throughout the site, and may see me relaxing on the balcony too…it was the best experience to sit out there at 1am and watch icebergs float by!)
Travel and landscape photographer from Australia who is far more comfortable in a pair of flippers than heels! Having worked for publications such as Lonely Planet, Wanderlust and the Sunday Times, Lisa founded The Wandering Lens to share destination guides to the worlds most photogenic places and outdoor experiences.
