Ice hotels exist in some of the coldest places in the world and offer ultra unique accommodation that has been strategically built year after year. With piles of snow and blocks of ice, creative architects and designers have made the concept of sleeping in a block of ice comfortable, cosy and inviting. Clever amenities such as saunas, cocktail bars and ice dishes certainly give guests something to talk about after their trip.
Here are some of the most incredible ice hotels around the world to capture your imagination and make you think about winter accommodation a little differently.
Credit: facebook.comIceHotel Sweden
Icehotel Sweden - Jukkasjarvi, Sweden (Prices & Photos)
Icehotel in Sweden is one of the most famous hotels of its kind in the world. You'll have to hop on a snowmobile or dog sled to reach the hotel, and that's just the beginning of your great adventure. A popular activity here is to take a horseback ride to see the Northern Lights. To keep you warm, the ice blocks are covered with reindeer skins and thermal sleeping bags. There are warm and cold rooms here and the hotel recommends booking a cold night and a couple of warm nights. Winter rooms are available from December to April. The Icehotel restaurant serves excellent gourmet food, the Jukkasjarvi Homestead offers traditional food in a rustic setting, and there is also an Icebar and cocktail lounge. If you can't stay overnight, you can visit the day and take a tour.
Credit: hotelofice.comHotel of Ice - Balea LacHotel of Ice - Balea Lac
Hotel of Ice, Romania (Prices & Photos)
Travel to the Romanian Carpathians to visit this incredibly amazing hotel of ice. Winter at the Hotel of Ice, formerly Balea Lac, is a magical time of enchanting snowy peaks along a glacial lake. Each season brings a new story to the architecture and design of the Hotel of Ice. The hotel rooms are completely made of ice, and there are also four igloos nearby for added privacy. There is also an ice church here where you can host a wedding or simply enjoy some peaceful time for prayer and reflection. Guests have plenty of activities at the hotel's Winter Park to keep them busy too, such as snowmobiling, snowboarding, ice skating and skiing.
Credit: FacebookSorrisniva Igloo HotelSorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Alta, Norway (Prices & Photos)
This elegant ice hotel welcomes guests in its ice rooms and also in a traditional Sampi tent called lavvo. This hotel is the largest of its kind in Norway (about 2,500 square metres) and is located about 25 minutes from Alta Airport in Sorrisniva. There is a wonderful sauna here to take a dip after the cold days outside exploring the Alta region. And one of the best activities to do around Alta is to take a snowmobile ride through the mountains. But this is also a great place to stay if you are looking for peace and serenity. You can also visit the igloo hotel for the day if you can't stay overnight.
Credit: FacebookHotel de GlaceHotel de Glace
Hotel de Glace - Québec (city), Canada (hotel prices and photos)
Although most ice hotels are located in Europe, here is a Canadian one worth visiting in Quebec City. Hotel de Glace offers beautiful snow and ice tables combined with warm and cosy blankets. Choose from standard rooms, themed suites and premium suites with fireplaces and even a private spa. If you are interested in how ice hotels are made, take the behind-the-scenes tour of the hotel to learn about construction and maintenance. Another fun activity is learning how to make your own cocktail glass made of ice. The hotel is located just a few minutes from the city centre, so you can easily combine this stay with sightseeing in the city. Also nearby, you can check out the snow slides at the Winter Playground, the indoor water park, children's arcade games and take a dog sled ride.
Credit: Iglu-Dorf GstaadIglu-Dorf Gstaad
Iglu-Dorf Gstaad - Oberland, Switzerland (Prices and photos)
Whether you are travelling as a couple or in a family of six, Iglu-Dorf Gstaad is a fun and inviting place to stay in the Bernese Oberland. You can choose to spend your time here in a standard multi-bedroom igloo, a romantic igloo or a warm and toasty igloo. It is suitable for families, couples and also for business trips. Guests here love to take part in snowshoeing sessions, both during the day and at night. The igloo restaurant specialises in fondue and other delicacies, and you can book fondue parcels and snacks at a price per person. About 10,000 guests stay in the igloo village each year, and many more come to visit for the day.
Credit: SnowCastle of KemiSnowCastle of Kemi
SnowCastle of Kemi - Kemi, Finland (Prices and photos)
Even if you have visited SnowCastle of Kemi in the past, it is worth a visit because the architectural style changes every year. The temperature inside the rooms here is always around -5 degrees Celsius, but the lambskin covers, fleece sheets and sleeping bags for arctic conditions make it surprisingly cosy. The SnowHotel, which can accommodate up to 48 overnight guests, is part of the SnowCastle that is built every year in Kemi. When you stay at the hotel, you also get breakfast and a visit to the SnowCastle. There is an on-site restaurant that serves local specialities, such as reindeer. This is a popular venue for weddings in the SnowChapel and also honeymoons after a wedding has been held elsewhere.
Credit: FacebookSchneedorf Igloo
Schneedorf Igloo - Austria (Prices and photos)
Schneedorf's classic igloos sleep four people each with two double beds and are the perfect mix of luxury and adventure. Overnight stays also include a welcome drink with tea or mulled wine, dinner, continental breakfast buffet and sleeping bag equipment. Learn more about how ice structures are made by attending an igloo-building workshop, or check out the adventurous outdoor course in the mountains of the Ötz Valley in the Garden of High Threads.
Credit: Kirkenes SnowhotelKirkenes Snowhotel
Kirkenes Snowhotel - Kirkenes, Norway (Prices & Photos)
This hotel is distinguished by its beautiful ice and snow sculptures and all the outdoor activities it offers. It was opened to guests in 2006 and highlights the beautiful landscapes of Norway. Some of the most popular activities to choose from include cross-country skiing, a dog sledding tour, the Northern Lights tour and a King Arctic crab fishing tour. This is also a great hotel for foodies as the on-site restaurant serves locally sourced dishes. Kirkenes has a long winter season that sometimes extends into May.
Credit: FacebookSnow Village
Snow Village - Kittila, Finland (Prices and photos)
Another unique accommodation in Finland is called Snow Village in Kittila. About 20 million kilos of snow and 350,000 kilos of ice are used to create Snow Village every year. There is a snow hotel with rooms and suites, an ice chapel, wooden cottages and even a three-storey log castle. It's in Finnish Lapland and features several colourful, illuminated snow tunnels leading to the restaurant, bar, rooms and ice sculptures. A highlight for guests at night is the underground sauna. In the morning, you wake up to warm berry juice and a breakfast buffet in the lodge restaurant. The Ice Restaurant offers guests a delicious three-course dinner. There is also an ice chapel and a wooden chapel here that are perfect for weddings.
Credit: FacebookEskimska VasEskimska Vas
Eskimska Vas - Slovenia
This is an Eskimo village in Slovenia that you can reach by cable car or go snowshoeing. The igloos at this hotel are cosy and have ice beds with plenty of warm blankets. There is a restaurant serving traditional Slovenian dishes and an igloo bar to relax in. This is a great place to stay for outdoor adventure lovers, as you can enjoy snowballs, tubes and sleds in the snow while you're here.
Credit: Le Village Igloo - AvoriazLe Village Igloo - Avoriaz
Le Village Igloo - Avoriaz, France
An ice hotel in France might surprise some people, but there is an adorable one in Avoriaz that features carved ice walls and ultra-warm sleeping bags for guests. Other hotel attractions are the snow and ice sculptures and the bar with its sun terrace. This hotel has two cosily furnished igloo rooms and can accommodate up to eight guests per night. Be sure to join the hotel's 'snowshoeing under the stars' experience with a mountain guide. You can choose an easy, moderate or difficult course. The best local dish to try here is the traditional cheese fondue.