Chill Out in the World’s Coolest Ice Hotels
Many travelers prefer warm countries and ski resorts when planning the perfect winter vacation. However, if you want to discover a more exotic type of vacation and have a new, unforgettable experience, try to book a room in an ice hotel. Spending at least one day in such a place is an excellent opportunity to feel like a hero of a magical story and find out what the very winter fairy tale everyone is talking about looks like. Luxury igloo hotels and large-scale hotel complexes made of ice are recreated each winter to give vacationers an unforgettable experience. You’ll find stunning natural locations, active winter entertainment, unique ice sculptures created by international artists, and much more.
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Hotel De Glace,Village Vacances Valcartier, Canada
The only ice hotel in North America is located just outside of Quebec City. Highlights include a gorgeous Grand Hall, a chapel, an ice slide, the Ice Bar (a cocktail in an ice glass is a must) and almost 50 rooms. The higher-end suites contain fireplaces.
Hotel of Ice ,Sibiu, Romania
Nestled 6,500 feet high in the Făgăraș Mountains at the edge of Transylvania is Bâlea Lake, whose glacial waters morph yearly into an always-different ice hotel, thanks to skilled artists. Enjoy the area’s hallowed, traditional cuisine in the ice-wrought restaurant, then warm up with a glass of boiled sparkling wine at the bar.
The no less impressive Hotel of Ice is located in the Romanian mountains of Fagaras, in the region of Balea Lake. The igloo-shaped apartments are located at an altitude of 2034 meters above sea level. This place is ideal for those who want to enjoy a truly peaceful and relaxing vacation and an amazing atmosphere of complete unity with nature. Huge beds, cozy lighting, and whimsical pieces of furniture made of ice are available. There is a restaurant on the hotel’s territory, which serves traditional dishes cooked according to old Transylvanian recipes, and there is also a cozy ice bar and a small church where you can get married. With its ski slopes, skating rinks, ice bowling, and snowball fights, Winter Park is open here for winter sports lovers. The famous Transfăgărășan mountain highway is also not far from the Hotel of Ice.
Ice Hotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
The first and largest ice hotel has been a Swedish landmark since 1989. At the end of every year, the River Torne becomes a frigid wonderland of frozen art with over 50 rooms. There are amazing creations throughout, but special attention goes to the 12 unique art suites rendered by elite sculptors.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Alta , Norway
Sorrisniva is the world’s northernmost ice hotel, where local sculptors transform natural ice and snow into furniture and art with a different theme every year. The artisans pay special attention to the suites, yielding spectacular results. Enjoy spirits in an ice-made glass at the ice bar and visit (or get married in!) the Ice Chapel.
Snowhotel Kirkenes 365,Bjørnevatn, Norway
This Norwegian ice hotel is a permanent, ever- changing art project envisioned by master ice sculptors from around the world. Visitors can discover boldly realized sculptures, some evoking Greek mythology, and have a choice of 13 unique rooms for overnight stays.
Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos, Rovaniemi, Finland
Another great place for exotic vacationers is located in Finnish Lapland, 25 km from the town of Rovaniemi. While many ice hotels offer only one type of apartment, Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos offers guests different accommodation options. Some prefer to stay in all-ice suites, while others choose to stay in comfortable glass igloos with warm floors and clear roofs. The hotel rooms do not have separate toilets and showers — they are shared and located next to the rooms. The rooms of Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos are decorated with beautiful ice compositions and illumination. A special alarm system on the hotel grounds tells guests when the long-awaited northern lights appear. Additional facilities include several restaurants and bars and a snow sauna. In addition, holidaymakers are offered interesting entertainment options — snowshoeing, fishing, and even guided tours of the hotel territory for those who do not want to book a room.
Ice Village Tomamu, Hokkaido, Japan
Every year, from December to March, the magical Ice Village appears in the Japanese resort of Hokkaido, consisting of a variety of stunningly beautiful cabins and other facilities. Ice Village Tomamu Complex offers guests a high-quality service, a large number of all kinds of entertainment, and an unforgettable vacation surrounded by amazing scenery. Visitors can stay in one of the comfortable and stylish apartments or simply take a tour of the Tomamu territory. There are themed bars and restaurants, a 60-meter zip line, an ice slide and skating rink right in the middle of the forest, thermal baths, stores, a small church, and an ice studio, where vacationers are taught to make ice art.
Alpeniglu, Thale, Austria
Alpeniglu is a small ice complex consisting of ten igloos, where everyone can discover a new kind of recreation and enjoy pleasant leisure time surrounded by mountain scenery. Designers and artists from all over the world work on the creation of incredible ice compositions every year, and the result is always stunning. In order not to bore the guests, there are constantly held various entertainment events on the territory of the hotel — for example, parties, shows, and candlelight dinners. There is a restaurant, a bar, an exhibition hall, and a church. Also, anyone can do winter sports in the area. Holidays in Alpeniglu will be not only an interesting experience for everyone but also a wonderful reason to really fall in love with winter.
Tips To Stay Warm in Ice Hotels
If you’re staying in a snow room, chances are you’re going to wondering how to stay warm when sleeping in -5. These tips are applicable to all our cold hotels including, but not limited to Ice Hotel, Arctic Snow Hotel, Arctic Snow Village and the Ice Castle. For stays in the Igloo hotel, the igloos are heated so this does not apply – only if you’re staying in a cold room/suite.
Equip yourself with sports underwear (synthetic materials) and a fleece mid layer garment. Wool and cotton are warm to a point but their tendency to gather moisture overnight into fabric makes them uncomfortable and cold after few hours.
Wool is good for wearing as a jumper during the day rather than at night.
You can place your jacket between a sleeping bag and a mattress so it remains warm and dry over the night. This way in also remains comfortable to slip on if you have to go to a toilet during the night.
Pay attention to the shoes that you take into cold hotel rooms. They shouldn’t be too technical as they need to be easy and fast to put on.
Shoes are needed during the night if you need to visit to toilets.
Sleeping bags that we use are so warm that you can use them even in temperature of -20 Celsius degrees.
Temperatures in the cold rooms stays between 0 and -5 Celsius degrees, no matter what the temperature outside is.
After what you’ll find is a surprisingly comfortable nights sleep, you’ll be woken by staff usually with some hot berry juice local to the area.
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