If you're a traveler who doesn't mind cold weather and enjoys unique experiences, consider staying at an ice hotel. There are three major ice hotels: one in Canada, one in Sweden, and one in Norway. Each ice hotel is distinct from the others. Additionally, because ice hotels have to be rebuilt every year, you'll never have the same experience, no matter how many times you return.
The Ice Hotel in Quebec, Canada, is usually open from January to March. It first opened in 2001, and has been popular with tourists ever since. Inside, snow and ice are used to create archways, walls and sculptures. Outside, you can enjoy spas and saunas. Guests usually stay for one or two nights, and they choose from one of four rooms: a basic room, a themed suite, a themed suite with a fireplace, and a themed suite with a fireplace and spa. Upon arrival, guides will take you on a tour of the facilities and explain everything you need to know about sleeping in an ice hotel. Hotel rooms feature conventional mattress-and-box-spring beds atop a base of ice. When night falls, an arctic sleeping bag will be delivered to your room. One night at the Ice Hotel costs about $600 as of September 2010.
Ice Hotel Quebec
Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
Quebec City, G0A 3M0
Canada
418-875-4522
icehotel-canada.com
The Ice Hotel in Sweden is ideal for those who want a winter fairytale experience. The largest ice hotel in the world has been reconstructed every winter since 1992. Ice Hotel is open from December to April, during which time the sun never rises above the horizon. Guests can choose to sleep in a room or a suite. All are equipped with thermal sleeping bags to combat the cold. You can keep warm by enjoying a drink at the bar, or you can participate in several activities, such as dog sledding, skiing, snow-mobiling, ice-sculpting, or taking a tour to see the Northern Lights. Guests usually stay at the hotel for one night, which costs about $500 as of September 2010. This includes breakfast for two, plus winter overalls, boots and mittens.
Ice Hotel
Marknadsvägen 63
981 91 Jukkasjärvi
Sweden
011-46-0-980-66-800
icehotel.com
Alta Igloo Hotel, in Norway, has been rebuilt every winter since at least 2000. Like the other ice hotels, Alta is open in the winter, usually closing around April. Both the interior and exterior are constructed using snow and ice. This includes the walls, rooms, beds, art sculptures and even the glasses at the bar. The hotel has 30 bedrooms, an ice-chapel and an ice-bar. Guests sleep on reindeer hides inside thermal sleeping bags. A service center houses a restaurant, bathrooms, showers, a sauna, two outdoor hot tubs and a reception and souvenir shop. Those interested in an adventure can take part in a snowmobile safari or dog-sledding. One night in the Alta Igloo Hotel costs about $430 as of September 2010.
Alta Igloo Hotel
Sorrisniva as
Sorrisniva 20
9518 Alta
Norway
011-47-0-784-33378
sorrisniva.no
