Special Ice Hotels You Really Should See Before You Die
Ice hotels provide a wonderful mix of art, architecture, and Arctic appeal for anyone seeking a cold experience. These transitory beauties, carved totally from snow and ice, disappear with the spring thaw, so they become bucket-list treasures. From Northern Lights viewing to sleeping in luxury below zero, these are the most exclusive ice hotels on Earth.
1. Icehotel (Sweden’s Jukkasjärvi)
Location: Lapland of Sweden
Reimagined every winter since 1989, Icehotel is the first and most famous ice hotel in the world. From ice taken from the Torne River, artists from all across the world create its 50+ apartments, chapel, and Absolut Icebar. After sleeping in a heated sleeping blanket over reindeer pelts, warm up in their simple Nordic sauna.
Why Visit?
- Stay in the permanent year-round ice construction known as the Icehotel 365.
- Northern Lights trips on snowmobile or dog sled.
- Gourmet Arctic cuisine and ice sculpture courses.
2. Hotel de Glace (Quebec City, Canada)
Location: Quebec, Canada
Rebuilding yearly with 15,000 tons of snow and 500,000 tons of ice, North America’s only ice hotel is a stunning winter marvel. While hot tubs and a sauna fight the cold, themed suites showcase complex ice carvings—think of dragons, castles, and celestial designs.
Why Visit?
- Nightclub built completely of ice.
- “Sleep Package” offers vodka shots in ice glasses along with a survival instruction.
- Near the Winter Carnival held in Quebec City.
3. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (Alta, Norway)
Location: Lapland, Norway
Every year, this snow hotel has a different theme—from Arctic animals to Viking mythology. Try king crab fishing in the adjacent fjords or chase the Northern Lights after a night in an ice suite.
Why Visit?
- Ice gallery presenting Sami local customs.
- Dishes with gourmet reindeer and cloudberries.
- See constant Aurora from a glass igloo.
4. SnowHotel (Kemi, Finland)
Location: Kemi, Finland
Comprising a part of the Arctic SnowHotel complex, this frozen haven serves as an art display. Warm up in their smoke sauna, eat in a snow restaurant, or spend overnight in a bizarre SnowCarousel suite—yes, there is a carousel bed.
Why Visit?
- The Sampo Icebreaker Cruise—a smash over ice waters.
- Celebrate with champagne in ice flutes in the ice chapel.
- See the heavens from a glass-domed Aurora cabin while sleeping.
5. Balea Ice Hotel (Transylvania, Romania)
Location: Făgăraș Mountains, Romania
Built from ice blocks derived from frozen Lake Bâlea, this isolated hotel stands 2,034 meters above sea level. Accessible solely by cable car, its Gothic mystique leans into Transylvania.
Why Visit?
- Ice “throne room,” with vampire-themed sculptures.
- Restaurant in igloo-style with ice chapel.
- Ski the Transfăgărășan Highway, voted “world’s best road trip.”
6. Kirkenes Snowhotel (Norway)
Location: Kirkenes, Norway
Constructed by local artisans from 15,000 tons of snow, this hotel combines ice rooms with comfortable Gamme cabins, or traditional Sami houses. Feed rescued king crabs, see huskies, or arrange a Northern Lights expedition.
Why Visit?
- Snow Restaurant has reindeer and Arctic char on the menu.
- Stay for sky-gazing in the Aurora Canvas Dome.
- Dog-sledding toward Russia’s border.
7. Hotel de Glace (Montreal, Canada)
Location: Montreal, Canada (seasonal pop-up)
Offering cold enjoyment for urban explorers, this itinerant ice hotel opens up in multiple Canadian locations. “Enchanted Forest” and “Space Odyssey” have lately been themes.
Why Visit?
- Slides on ice and an outside ice bar.
- Projects of nighttime light onto ice walls.
- Winter packages include sampling of ice wine.
8. Lainio Snow Village (Lapland, Finland)
Location: Finnish Lapland
A vast snow hamlet including ice hotels, ice eateries, even an ice movie theater. The yearly theme links to fantasy worlds or blockbuster movies—that is, Star Wars or Game of Thrones.
Why Visit?
- Sleep in an Igloo from Hobbit or an Ice Princess Suite.
- Reindeer sleigh rides and ice karting.
- Every room’s Northern Lights alert system.
9. Igloo Village Kakslauttanen (Finland)
Location: Saariselkä, Finland
Kakslauttanen offers traditional snow igloos with heated sleeping blankets in addition to their glass igloos. By day, ice fishing or husky safaris will let you see the Arctic Circle.
Why Visit?
- Biggest smoke sauna in the world.
- In winter, ride the Santa’s Reindeer Express.
- Eat at a log cabin restaurant over a raging fire.
10. Ice Hotel of Poiana Brașov (Romania)
Location: Romanian Carpathian Mountains
Transylvania’s icy heights were sculpted into a medieval fantasyland of ice thrones, knights, and dragons. Warm yourself either on the neighboring ski slopes or at the ice bar with tuică, or plum brandy.
Why Visit?
- Ice slide slinking over the hotel.
- Themed sets include “Ice Dragon Lair” and “Frozen Castle.”
- A day drive away lies Bran Castle, Dracula’s Castle.
Final Thoughts
Ice hotels are ephemeral wonders where adventure, art, and frozen beauty interact. Whether you’re racing huskies in Finland, camping beneath the Arctic sky in Sweden, or drinking vodka in a Quebec ice bar, these cold retreats redefine “cool” travel. Remember: they melt in April, so book quickly! ❄️