Would you sleep in an igloo?
You haven’t really enjoyed winter until you’ve stayed in one of the top ice hotels in the world. From igloos to rooms carved in ice and snow, these accommodations are decorated with some of the most beautiful ice sculptures and snow art you can imagine.
Basically, everything from walls to chairs, and tables is built entirely of snow. You’ll even get frozen cups if you order a drink from the ice bar. I know what you’re thinking, but no, you’re not gonna get cold, believe me. Every room has down bedding that’s rated for 30 below zero, as well as a real mattress and central warming halls. Some of them even have fireplaces!
There are lots of winter activities to keep you busy, so you’ll be able to enjoy magical reindeer sleigh rides, dog sled racing, ice-breaking cruise sails, and sauna gondolas.
Whichever you choose, make sure to add staying in an igloo hotel to your bucket list today! It will surely leave a lasting impression on your mind!
De Glase Ice Hotel (Québec, Canada)
Each year since 2001, this wonderful hotel is being rebuilt out of ice and snow to create a true winter wonderland. Open from January through March, the De Glase Ice Hotel provides a unique experience that will definitely last a lifetime.
Expert sculptors build and create over the course of several weeks, and the result is a massive structure with an unbelievable amount of detail. Snow art can be found everywhere throughout the resort, from the 44-themed igloos to the ice bar and the popular Super Slide.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience to drink from ice glasses while standing under an ice chandelier. Even though the temperatures are only slightly above freezing, don’t worry about getting cold.
Each igloo offers a real mattress and a blanket over the bed base made out of ice. On top of this, the arctic down is rated for temperatures up to 35 degrees colder than the hotel. They also provide a warming center in the Celsius Pavilion, which has fully heated bathrooms.
The temperature in the room remains constant at 23° to 27°F, and the guests receive an insulating bed sheet as well as a sleeping bag.
Out of all the ice hotels, the one in Quebec truly stands out, as not only is it easy to get to, but it also has reasonable prices and they do an excellent job.
Snowhotel Kirkenes (Kirkenes, Norway)
This hotel is entirely made of snow and ice, with igloos stocked with warm thermal sleeping bags. The place has 13 rooms suitable for singles, couples, and large groups.
You’ll have the chance to try the Norwegian food served at the hotel’s warm restaurant. They also serve cheese and roan berries from local farmers, as well as homemade jelly from local blackcurrants.
A major focus of the Kirkenes Snow Hotel is represented by their husky sled outings and snowmobile safaris for watching the Northern Lights. If dog sledding isn’t your thing, they also offer skiing, deep-sea crab fishing, and reindeer rides.
Rates for double occupancy start at around $370 per person during the high tourist season from December 1 to April 30.
Hotel of Ice (Balea Lac, Romania)
The Hotel of Ice is located 7,000 feet above sea level in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains. This may not ring a bell, but what if I told you that this location is part of the land of Dracula? The real-life Dracula may have lived a long distance away from here, but that hasn’t stopped folklore from spreading all over the mountain area.
Each year, the Ice Hotel is built entirely of snow and ice blocks on a frozen glacial lake at the bottom of the Balea Waterfall. The place has been managed by the neighboring Balea Lac Ski Lodge since 2005 and can be accessed by cable car.
There are 12 ice hotel rooms and 3 snow igloos available for rent, all centered around an amazing main hall. Even if you don’t have a room reservation, the Hotel of Ice’s restaurant and bar are always quite fun. They even host several public parties throughout the winter.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (Saariselkä, Finland)
While the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is open all year, you should book one of their Glass Igloos during the Northern Lights season. This mesmerizing, natural phenomenon lasts from late August to April each year, while the igloos provide an unobstructed view of Finland’s unique sky and natural beauty.
After dark is the best time to enjoy the display: not only will you see more stars than you’ve ever seen, but you’ll also experience the celestial ballet of light dancing above you. It’s something that one cannot really describe, so you’ll have to see it for yourself to truly understand what I’m talking about.
The igloos themselves are very climate controlled and offer plenty of privacy with curtains. The standard is a two-person igloo with a private bathroom, though communal bathrooms and saunas are separated by gender.
If sleeping outside isn’t your style, there are several luxury log cabins you can rent. Plus, the resort provides a bunch of outdoor activities to join in on, like ice fishing, snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides, and sled dog training.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (Alta, Norway)
Located along the Alta River, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the world’s northernmost ice hotel. It provides 30 rooms and suites, as well as an ice chapel, an ice bar, and ice sculptures — not to mention the incredible view of the northern lights.
You can even enjoy the light show while going on a reindeer sleigh ride. After a day in the snow, visit the hotel’s sauna or outdoor hot tub to warm up and unwind. Or you can grab a drink from the ice bar, where all the glasses are made from ice.
December is the most expensive month to book a double igloo room as the price for one person to stay for a night starts at $310. However, from January through April, the price goes down slightly, so rates start at about $285.
Alpeniglu Igloo Village (Thale, Austria)
Located in Thale, Austria, the ALPENIGLU Igloo Village, commonly known as the “white village”, is open from December until the end of March, but the weather may affect the winter season.
There are 18 igloos with various cool features: ski slopes, an ice bar, and a handcrafting ice sculpture activity. Various events are held annually, from fireworks displays to party nights featuring DJs. This impressive igloo-style hotel has two package trips you can choose from: a VIP overnight stay or a romantic igloo package that also includes a special candlelight dinner.
Sitting right next to the ski lift, the ice hotel units are impressively neat as they are built after actual igloo huts.
Icehotel (Jukkasjärvi, Sweden)
This wonderful hotel is built each year with about 1,000 blocks. The result? Frosty suites and standard rooms artistically carved of ice and snow; an iconic ice bar and restaurant; and even an ice church.
While the whole icy experience can only be enjoyed during the winter season, the hotel also opens its doors all year round, so you’ll still be able to see its specially designed ice hall, which is a permanent structure.
But if you’re reading this article, you must be looking for something… cool. The winter-exclusive Icehotel offers 23 ice rooms and 12 individually designed art suites. They take their job very seriously, with plates made out of ice and the Northern Light Suite using light art to imitate the Aurora Borealis on the ceiling.
After a sauna session, relax with a frozen drink from the ice bar. An overnight stay includes a variety of winter activities such as ice sculpting classes, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and northern light hunting.
The holiday season is upon us, so you may want to be a step ahead and also read this article: 10 Best Christmas Towns in America (2022).
