Have you ever considered a holiday at an ice hotel? What comes to mind when you think of a winter vacation? Perhaps, a walk in a breathtaking natural setting covered with a blanket of snow, skiing, or enjoying the view by a fireplace in a hotel room. Indeed, winter holidays mean all these for many people. But what if I told you there’s an even more impressive and literally “unforgettable” alternative for a winter holiday? You heard it right; there’s a magical and fairy-tale-like option for a winter getaway: Ice Hotels! With their unique atmosphere and the exceptional experience they offer, ice hotels are an ideal choice for those seeking a different kind of winter holiday experience.
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Dazzling Ice Hotels
Ice hotels are wonderful alternatives for those who want to make their winter holiday unforgettable and experience something different. However, expecting a warm vacation while staying at these hotels might not be realistic. Everything from the beds to the chairs, walls, and windows is made of ice. While this might not sound very appealing at first, every detail is considered for the comfort of guests in these hotels. Typically, ice hotels melt in the spring months and are rebuilt when winter comes. This makes these hotels a major attraction for many. If you’re thinking about adding a unique experience to your memories by spending your winter holiday in one of these ice hotels, you must read the content we have prepared for you. Here are the world’s top 5 ice hotels:
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel / Norway
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway had only 9 rooms when it opened in 1999. Today, it has evolved into a magnificent complex with thirty rooms, including four special suites. The most captivating aspect of the hotel is the ice sculptures designed by international sculptors. These sculptures and the entire hotel are constructed from the frozen waters of the Alta River and the hotel is only open for four months of the year.
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel also boasts a chapel entirely made of ice, hosting many weddings. Guests are provided with reindeer fur blankets and special sleeping bags, making sleeping on ice beds much more comfortable. So, you don’t have to worry too much about the cold. If you need more warmth, you can relax in the sauna heated every morning before breakfast.
You can also engage in numerous activities at the hotel. You can participate in motorized or dog sled tours and enjoy the mesmerizing view of the Northern Lights during these tours. One of the hotel’s highlights is the Laksestuna Restaurant, decorated with slate stone and serving delicious dishes prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients. In short, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is one of the best options for an ice hotel experience.
Ice Hotel / Sweden
Constructed by cutting through the frozen waters of the Trone River, the Ice Hotel is among the world’s best ice hotels. Upon arrival at the airport, a Husky team welcomes you to transport you to the hotel, either by sleds pulled by these adorable dogs or by snowmobiles. The Ice Hotel, built like a small village, has 55 rooms with an average temperature of 2 degrees. The ice beds are warmed with reindeer skins to ensure guests’ comfort.
At the entrance of the hotel, guests are greeted with impressive photo and light shows. The hotel also features dazzling ice sculptures. Sculptors from various parts of the world gather annually to create every detail of the hotel. Although the hotel is open throughout the year, minor revisions are made during certain periods. The hotel is made up of 10,000 tons of frozen water.
The dishes at the hotel’s restaurant are also made of ice. After enjoying delicious meals at the restaurant, you can visit the Ice Bar for special cocktails, take guided tours of the hotel, or participate in workshops to learn how to make ice sculptures. You can also engage in various winter sports at the hotel and follow a beautiful route on horseback to watch the Northern Lights.
Snow Village / Finland
Covering a massive area of 20,000 square meters, Snow Village is built using 15,000 tons of snow every year. With its colorful lights, ice restaurant emerging from snow tunnels, ice bar with a special igloo disco, and 30 rooms all adorned with ice carvings, Snow Village is both enjoyable and impressive.
The theme of the hotel changes every year, offering visitors completely different experiences each time. The hotel is entirely renewed in November every year, and all sculptures and other details are rebuilt from scratch. The temperatures in the rooms vary between -2 to -5 degrees. Thermal sleeping bags are available for guests to sleep comfortably on ice beds. Hot blackberry water is served every morning to ensure you don’t feel the cold. For those not acclimated to the cold, a sauna and heated spare room are always ready for use.
Hotel de Glace / Canada
One of the oldest ice hotels, Hotel de Glace, is located just 10 minutes from Quebec City in Canada. Designed with a different theme each year, the hotel has more than 30 rooms and suites. Special sleeping bags and blankets are used to ensure guests can comfortably sleep on the ice beds. Heated rooms are also available for guests who are more sensitive to cold.
Hotel de Glace offers a variety of activities for its guests. These include snow sculpture workshops, skiing, and Northern Lights tours. The open-air jacuzzis are among the most enjoyable activities at the hotel and are definitely worth experiencing.
Hotel de Glace also enjoys significant fame. It has hosted many advertisements, TV shows, and documentaries. It was also the venue for the promotion of Disney’s famous animated film Frozen.
Kirkenes Snowhotel / Norway
Located on the Norway-Russia border, the Kirkenes Snowhotel is constructed annually by China’s most talented sculptors. After landing at the airport, you can reach the hotel on sleds pulled by Siberian wolves. You can feel the essence of the Arctic culture in every detail of the Kirkenes Snowhotel, where you can also engage in a variety of activities. Upon arrival, you can join King Crab fishing tours in the Arctic or board the Aurora Express for a guided Northern Lights viewing.
You can spend delightful time with domesticated reindeer in the hotel’s garden or choose from three different restaurants to enjoy local flavors. Kirkenes Snowhotel’s Høyloftet restaurant offers unforgettable flavors and a mesmerizing fjord view. After all these activities, you can relax and enjoy evening tea and coffee in the warm lounge.
If you prefer amazing experiences for your holidays and get along well with the cold, then choosing one of the world’s best ice hotels for this winter holiday is an excellent idea. If you need a rental car for your holiday plans, you can opt for Yolcu360, Turkey’s most reliable car rental brand. Yolcu360 is always there for you with affordable car rental options in many countries and cities around the world.
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