Ah, the good old ice hotel: 20 or 30 years ago, you might have thought an ice hotel was a property designed with crystal-clear furniture and white linens and drapes.
But, these days, an ice hotel is just that: a hotel made completely out of ice. Although there are exceptions to the rule, an ice hotel is typically redesigned annually by designers, artists and sculptors. And due to the nature of an ice hotel, clients can stay at the same hotel year after year yet never bore of its beauty — which is refreshed and renewed regularly.
Below are five of our favorites.
Hotel de Glace in Quebec City, Canada
One of the few ice hotels in North America, Hotel de Glace is a popular destination for families hoping to avoid the hassle of long-distance travel. Located in Quebec City, the 45-room hotel reopens annually from January to late March.
Every year, travelers arrive in droves to photograph and capture the property’s reimagined suites and overall theme. And while Hotel de Glace’s claim to fame may come from its 2015 Frozen-themed suite, visitors can always expect to find a bar and disco, a Scandinavian spa and an indoor slide on-site. There are plenty of wintertime activities offered near the property, but Hotel de Glace’s Behind-the-Scene architectural tour is a must-do. Kids under 4 feet tall tour for free, while adults can add on a cocktail package that includes an ice glass-making class and a complimentary cocktail.
www.hoteldeglace-canada.com
Icehotel Sweden in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Known as the “original” ice hotel, Icehotel Sweden recently earned a spot on Time Magazine’s 2018 list of the World’s Greatest Places. The property happens to be one of the only ice hotels in the world that operates on a year-round basis.
IceHotel’s 2017 IceBar was designed by Jens Thoms Ivarsson, Elin Jlin, Kalle Ekeroth and Håkan Jutblad.
Credit: 2018 Asaf Kliger and IceHotelIt was originally created in 1989 in the village of Jukkasjarvi, but it is redesigned every year by artists who want to make their mark on the famed destination. Its most notable feature is the Icebar and dance floor — so much so that a second location opened in Stockholm, Sweden, just a few years ago.
In 2016, the hotel launched Icehotel 365, which features luxury suites with private bathrooms and private ice sculptures. This year, bartenders began serving cocktails and champagne atop a transparent ice bar.
www.icehotel.com
Ice Hotel at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu in Hokkaido, Japan
This winter clients should stay at Risonare Tomamu or Tomamu The Tower in Hokkaido, Japan. Though both resort properties are only 4 minutes away from each other, Risonare Tomamu caters to wellness and leisure travelers, while Tomamu The Tower is recommended for those seeking an active vacation.
Between January and late February 2019, pairs staying at both hotels can spend a night in the resort’s Ice Hotel — which is outfitted for two — and features a warm arctic bath beneath the stars and an ice lounge with a whiskey cellar. Inside of the private room, clients will find ice furniture, as well as complimentary pajamas and sleeping bags equipped for extreme temperatures.
Hoshino Resorts’ private, two-person Ice Hotel attraction is constructed annually.
Credit: 2018 Hoshino Resorts Ice HotelAlthough the Ice Hotel is marketed as an “experience attraction” rather than an accommodation facility, it’s a great option for curious clients who don’t want to commit to an entire vacation in a hotel made of ice.
www.snowtomamu.jp
Lapland Hotels SnowVillage in Lapland, Finland
Beginning Dec. 12, Lapland Hotels’ SnowVillage — tucked away in Finland’s northern region of Lapland — will open its door to the public. (The 2018 to 2019 season will mark the property’s 18th year in business.) Conveniently located near two ski resorts, the village is constructed from more than 2 million pounds of snow and 700 pounds of clear ice every year, and it consists of a Snow Hotel, an Ice Restaurant, Ice Bar and Ice Chapel.
One of the hotel’s main draws is its beautiful Ice Chapel, which alters its theme every year, but is appropriately decorated with reindeer hides and candles. The chapel accommodates up to 60 guests, and the hotel can arrange for flowers and music for the ceremony upon request.
www.laplandhotels.com
Snowhotel Kirkenes in Kirkenes, Norway
There’s no better escape for clients seeking wintertime excursions than Snowhotel Kirkenes, which is located on the northernmost tip of Norway. While the hotel is open during winter and summer, the arctic wilderness is best experienced during the snow-clad season, where guests can stay in igloo suites with ice-carved walls and furniture. Plus, the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, are best seen in the dark, bringing glorious light to sky on even the longest winter nights.
Snowhotel’s expansive list of winter excursions includes snowshoe hikes and ice fishing as well as snowmobile, husky and jing crab safaris. In addition, families with children can stop by the on-site dog yard to pet more than 180 friendly and well-trained Alaskan huskies.
www.snowhotelkirkenes.com
