Top 5 Ice Hotels Around The World
If you truly want to experience winter then we’d highly recommend staying in an Ice Hotel, which is quite literally what it says! Near enough everything is made from ice, from the table and chairs to the glasses you drink from and the bed you sleep in! But don’t worry about feeling the frost, the expedition-style sleeping bags will keep you toasty all night long. However, there are plenty to choose from and they differ from igloos to full-on castles, these chilly accommodations are up there with the coolest places you can stay! Wrap up warm and read ahead for some of the most unique Ice Hotels the world has to offer.
Hotel of Ice, Romania


Nestled in the remote heart of the Fagaras Mountains, 2,034 meters above sea level you will find Transylvania’s legendary Hotel of Ice which is only reachable by cable car. This much-loved hotel has been running since 2005 and brings in over thousands of guests and day visitors between December and April. The impressive structure is built entirely out of snow and ice extracted from the largest glacial lake of the Fagaras Mountains, Balea Lake. Each season, there is a different theme created by the ice sculptors making every year unique. There is also a winter park with activities such as snowmobiling, sledging, and snow tubing (which involves a rubber ring and a downward pinball course to slide down). You can even combine your stay in the Hotel of Ice with a visit to the nearby spooky Dracula’s Castle.
Hotel de Glâce, Canada


Canada is famed for its white winters so it’s no surprise there’s a hotel of ice there. Located just a few minutes from downtown Quebec, Hotel de Glace offers a relaxing Nordic winter experience, featuring outdoor spas, saunas, and even cosy fireplaces in some premium suites. For chillier activities, guests can visit the Winter Playground and even go on a dog sledging excursion! If you’re interested in how ice hotels are made, you can take the hotel’s behind-the-scenes tour to learn about the fascinating construction and upkeep of the place and how they create the beautiful snow art that you can find all around the hotel.
IceHotel, Sweden


Only accessible by snowmobile or dogsled, Sweden’s Icehotel is one of the best-known hotels of its kind in the world. This stunning Swedish landmark has been running since 1989, making it the longest-running Ice Hotel in the world. Each winter since the first Icehotel was built, passionate artists gather in the modest town of Jukkasjäarvi to build a new rendition of this Arctic wonder to welcome and impress guests. Among the exciting attractions and activities that await are an art exhibit featuring hand-carved ice sculptures, a five-course menu highlighting Scandinavian delicacies, and the famous Ice Bar, which serves drinks in unique ice-carved glasses. We recommend taking a horseback tour to view the Northern Lights for a truly bucket-list experience!
Snow Castle of Kemi, Finland


Boasting the largest snow fort in the world, the SnowCastle of Kemi can hold up to 48 guests per night and the newly added SnowExperience365 gives guests a wintery experience all year round with an indoor exhibition made of real snow and ice. The whole resort is a unique experience, featuring the Ice Castle, the Snow Chapel for weddings, several sculptures with light effects as well as the Gemstone Gallery and Snow Castle Exhibition. Guests sleep in a beautifully lit and decorated SnowHotel room built completely out of snow and ice which gives you one of the most unique Arctic Experiences. Enjoy a fantastic Olokolo Northern Lights hunt or ride on an ice breaker and float in the broken ice in a special flotation suit to keep you warm and dry. A whole package of unique experiences awaits!
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway


For those who prefer the finer things in life, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway offers celebrity treatment with world-class service. Situated about 12 miles from the Norwegian town of Atla, this classy ice hotel welcomes guests to its ice rooms and also to a traditional Sampi tent called a lavvo. Reindeer leather sleeping pads and ultra-warm sleeping bags are provided in each Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel guest room to ensure you have the cosiest time there. One of the best activities to do around Alta is to take a snowmobile tour into the mountains to marvel at the arctic. The hotel also has a steamy sauna to take a dip after cold days outside exploring the Alta region. This is an ideal place to stay if you want peace and serenity away from your busy life.
To find out more about our 4-night Ice Hotel Experience or longer 7-night Ice Hotel Ski Experiences then check out our website or get in touch at info@untravelledpaths.com.
Written by Lucy Kaufmann, Untravelled Paths