At a glance
"Ice hotels": everything is just like in a grand hotel, except they only open in winter, because EVERYTHING there is made of ice. An introduction...
"Ice hotels" first appeared in the 1990s. Everything is just like in a grand luxury hotel, except they only open in winter, because EVERYTHING there is made of ice. An introduction...
Like something out of a fairy tale
Do you dream of sleeping inside a structure made of ice, like an Inuit?
If so, you should try an ice hotel. Far from being simple igloos, these hotels are rather impressive buildings. In some, besides the rooms, bars and lounges, there's even a chapel (for weddings) and bridal suites!
Here are a few examples to whet your appetite: the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, the hotel at the Lainio Snow Village in Finland, or the Hôtel de Glace not far from Quebec City. More than just hotels, these ice monuments are genuine works of art, cultural venues lit in a highly artistic way. Designers and ice sculptors are invited every year to refresh the hotel's look and create a new magical atmosphere.
Isn't it too cold in there?
In these winter hotels, most of which are found in very cold regions, the temperature stays constantly between 0°C and -5°C... which is actually fairly comfortable when you consider it can sometimes drop to -40°C outside!
You'll sleep on a bed of ice, but the ice is insulated with an "animal skin" and you'll sleep in large sleeping bags wearing suitable clothing.
The bathrooms are generally a little warmer, and some hotels provide a sauna to warm up in the morning.
Where can you find ice hotels?
Despite the specific climate conditions required, this concept has spread widely. Born in Sweden, they're mostly also found in snow villages open from December to the end of March in Finland, Norway (in Lapland), Canada, and even in France, Andorra, Switzerland, Germany or Romania. Internet search engines will help you find them. Note: book ahead, as the number of rooms is limited.
How much does it cost?
Some hotels are located in very remote places. The cost of travelling there can therefore already be quite high.
For overnight stays, prices can easily range from €300 to €1,000 per night for two people. Fortunately, sleeping bags and furs are generally included in the price!
But what wouldn't you do for a few unforgettable days (and nights) in such a one-of-a-kind hotel?
Photo: Beata Aldridge / Shutterstock.com
