The Coolest Accommodations Around
Sleeping in a hotel made of ice might not sound like a luxurious vacation, but fear not; you won’t turn into a popsicle as you cozy up inside these frozen fortresses. With everything embracing the ice and snow, these frosty retreats are truly the best winter wonderlands in the whole world.
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1. Hotel Of Ice, Romania
Tucked between snow-capped mountains is the Hotel of Ice offering visitors a luxurious adventure playground. It balances upscale elegance and outdoor thrill with its adrenaline-pumping entertainment. Guests can endure every snowy activity you can think of, from snow rafting to snowmobiles.
2. Hotel de Glace, Canada
This hotel in Quebec is an icy masterpiece hand-carved by local artists. Inside the frozen palace, ice sculptures and evergreen trees decorate the halls and guests can warm up and unwind in their private hot tub. With over 20 different themed suites, Hotel de Glace is truly a magical escape to a frozen fairytale.
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3. Iglu Village, Austria
Nestled within a prime ski resort, Iglu Village is a haven for snow lovers. Chill out with your lover in one of their romantic igloos after a day of snowshoeing or skiing down the slopes. The snowy playground hosts challenges for guests like igloo building and curling competitions.
4. Hotel Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
The igloos themselves are made of glass but they’re perched within a snow village fit for jolly old St. Nick. Echoing the North Pole, Santa Claus has residence inside the winter wonderland and families can visit him during their stay. Many igloos and chalets are equipped with kitchens and rustic fireplaces and the Northern Lights often make their appearance in the night sky.
5. The Ice House Hotel, Ireland
Although the building itself isn’t made of ice, the gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows look out to the frozen banks of Moy and the surrounding frosty landscape. You can get your fix of chill relaxing in their ice-themed spa or venture out into the cold paradise on an adventure by the Atlantic.
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6. Icehotel, Sweden
Dubbed as the world’s first hotel made from ice and snow, Icehotel lives up to its high expectations. The icy splendor is half hotel and half art installation, making it an enchanting sight inside and out. You can book several types of rooms from an art suite to a time-limited igloo that melts away in the spring.
7. Iglu-Dorf Gstaad, Switzerland
This icy retreat is entirely made of ice and snow with an intricate tunnel system that connects the suites. The frozen estate features many places to warm up including a sauna, heated rooms, and a fire hut. You can hit the ski slopes by day and apres-ski in one of their many snow bars.
8. Kemi SnowCastle, Finland
Kemi SnowCastle is a remarkable winter fortress like no other that is open all year long. Its seafront location offers guests breathtaking views of the ocean while they gaze from the ice palace. Their ice tube slide is a fun feature for visitors.
9. Schneedorf Igloo, Austria
You can chill out above the clouds in this high-altitude Igloo oasis. With a mountainous backdrop, guests can cozy up with a mug of mulled wine or feast on melty cheese fondue. The hotel offers many snow adventures within its winter park as well as an igloo building workshop.
10. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway
Not too far from the city is an escape to a wild winter oasis. The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is located in a prime aurora borealis viewing spot and host to cultural events and snowy adventures. Guests share the icy paradise with resident reindeer and huskies who take you on dog sledding treks.
11. Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel, Switzerland
Situated at the start of the Swiss Alps, Whitepod Hotel hosts a luxurious winter getaway immersed in nature. You can book a stay in one of their igloos with a view any time of year. Their sustainable heating system runs by pellet stoves where you can warm up after adventuring the snowy wilderness by dog sled or skis.
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12. Hotel Igloo Grandvalira, Andorra
This shape-shifting hotel is remodeled out of ice every winter. The frozen corridors lead guests to outdoor hot tubs you can soak in after skiing down the snowy slopes. Ice sculptures decorate in the interior and their ice restaurant is renowned for its mouth-watering dishes.
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13. Lapland SnowVillage, Finland
The SnowVillage is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience as it’s redesigned and rebuilt every season. The ever-changing hotel offers guests rooms made from ice as well as cozy cabins that overlook the snowy slopes with outdoor hot tubs to stay warm within the frozen wilderness. Say “I do” at their ice chapel where couples can book their wedding ceremonies.
14. White Desert Whichaway Basecamp, Antartica
The most remote igloo complex in the world is likely the White Desert in Antarctica. The premium basecamp is only accessible by flying in a private jet that departs from Cape Town. The heated fiberglass igloos may not offer a Scandinavian spa retreat but it's luxury accommodation for winter explorers and an access point to visit the Adelli penguins.
15. Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Ice Village, Japan
From the walls to the furniture, the ice hotel is an incredible piece of frozen architecture. This frosty village is full of ice-themed venues from its Ice Chapel to its Ice Milk Cafe. Guests can take a dip in the soothing waters of the outdoor Arctic Bath immersed within the enchanting birch forest.
16. Hotel Arctic, Greenland
Hotel Arctic offers rooms with an iceberg view as it sits directly in front of Disko Bay at the end of a wooden bridge. As an outlet for UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Ice Fjord, the location is home to the world’s most active glaciers and a front row view of the fastest ice bergs floating downstream.
17. Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Norway
At Kirkenses Snow Hotel you can fall asleep in a sleigh bed carved entirely out of ice. Its snow rooms and private cabins are hidden in the mountains offering a peaceful winter getaway and ideal spot for seeing the Northern Lights at night. The snowtel features unique adventures into the mountains and valleys including husky hikes and a King Crab safari.
18. Graenn & Blar, Iceland
The off–the-grid glass cottages aren’t your typical round igloo but they so the same job. The eco-friendly huts are immersed within an outer-worldly landscape formed from iced lava fields, glaciers, and black sad beaches. With an outdoor hot tub and glass roof, guests can view the blanket of stars and the Northern Lights at night from a place of heated comfort.
Alexander Grebenkov on Wikimedia
19. Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska
Chena Hot Springs Resort is home to the Aurora Ice Museum with only four luxury hotel rooms inside. From cocktail glasses to the entire structure, everything you can imagine is made from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow. Open year-round, you can get your winter fix any season.
20. Troll Dome Tjeldoya, Norway
Norway isn’t short of remote winter getaways to heat up the romance. You can book a private glass dome for two, tucked away from the real world with a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. You don’t have to leave your private sauna, jacuzzi, or bed in your fluffy bathrobe as meals are delivered right to your door.
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