Want to spend the night in a room made entirely of ice? You could stay at the unique hotel or take a spectacular day trip to Icehotel in Sweden, 200 kms north of the Arctic Circle.

About the Icehotel

Every year, when Torne River turns to ice, a new Icehotel is created in the charming village of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland. The ice from the river transforms the design and architecture to create an art project and the world’s first and largest hotel built of snow and ice.

The Icehotel is open all year round now, thanks to solar power that keeps the suites, ice gallery and the Icebar in tip-top shape. The permanent structure spans 2100 square meters and features 11 Art and 9 deluxe Suites.

The unique stay/ visit can be combined with the tranquility of nature and exciting adventures. Cycling, river rafting and ice sculpting, skiing, husky sledding, northern light tours are some of the activities that are on offer.

Our visit to Icehotel

Ecophiles visited Icehotel on a day trip mid-October and it was a truly memorable experience. The team is very friendly and professional, and the ethos is reflected in the welcoming interiors and stunning, detailed artworks made of ice.

Artists from all over the world arrive in Jukkasjärvi, with only the most original ideas selected from the applications. The result is an inspiring feat of creativity, imagination and skill – evident as we leisurely explore each room.

Icehotel Torneland-Design_Mathieu_Brison-Luc_Voisin-Photo_Asaf_Kliger-Ice

Step inside this year’s ice bar. Photo Asaf Kliger | © Icehotel

We were given a warm parka to wear, which helped enormously. As we entered, the full brilliance of the ice bar hit us. Intricately carved and spacious, it was the perfect place to chill out. The artworks in the rooms are a pure delight – I found that I had a particular soft spot for a dinosaur artwork and the sparkling lights made from ice. It takes a huge amount of work to keep this in pristine shape all year round and the end result is simply mind-blowing.

We ended up back at the bar, with whisky in a glass made of ice to warm us up and chatted with the hotel guests. The vibe was rather jolly and nice, and almost felt like Christmas had come early.

Sustainability

There’s great respect for nature in Sweden, and it’s no different here. Icehotel is located on the bank of one of the cleanest waters in Europe – the water is in fact so clean you can drink it straight from the river bank.

The ice is harvested in the spring, and gets stored until it is time to use it. The ice layer is insulated with the help of Hasopor, a lightweight insulation material made from recycled glass and one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives on the market. Also, the sun’s rays are harnessed by solar panels on the roof and transformed into cooling energy.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Don’t miss it.

Find out more about a day trip to Icehotel in Sweden and their opening hours by clicking on Proceed Booking.