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5 places where you can experience ice hotels and igloo stays

From Sweden to Norway, ice hotels and igloos are rebuilt every winter, turning snow and ice into stunning, once-in-a-lifetime stays.

Every winter, artisans around the world transform snow and ice into magical hotels and igloos for unforgettable stays (source: pexels)

If you are a travel enthusiast always on the lookout for unconventional ideas, we have a snowy recommendation. Globally, adventurers are turning to ice hotels and igloo stays, which are exactly how they sound. These unconventional stays are made from snice, a combination of snow and ice, sculpted into stunning accommodations. You’ll find walls carved out of crystal-clear ice, beds covered with reindeer hides, or even ceilings sparkling with frozen chandeliers. These hotels aren’t just places to stay—they’re experiences in themselves. Here are five destinations where you can stay in a world of ice!

1. Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Imagine visiting the same hotel twice and each time finding a completely different building. Such is the experience of tourists in Sweden’s Jukkasjärvi, home to the world’s first ice hotel. Here, guests sleep on ice beds layered with reindeer skin, get cosy in thermal sleeping bags, sip cocktails from frozen glasses, chill in ice bars, and unwind in individually designed art suites. Step outside this ice world, and a stunning view of the northern lights awaits. First built in 1989 as part of an art project, the hotel is now rebuilt every winter using around 30,000 tons of ice blocks from the Torne River.

Price range: Approx. ₹35,000 – ₹62,000 per night
Perks: Includes loaned thermal clothing, guided survival tips, northern lights excursions, and access to a warm lounge for morning coffee.

In summers, the hotel offers outdoor activities, and in winters, tourists can enjoy Northern Lights Safari, dog sledding, and snowmobile tours (photo: Instagram/@icehotelsweden)

2. Hotel de Glace, Québec, Canada

Hotel de Glace is North America’s only ice hotel, visited by over 100,000 guests annually, including both overnight and day visitors. Like most ice hotels, it is rebuilt every year between January and March, using around 500 tons of ice and 35,000 tons of snow. Guests can soak in outdoor hot tubs under the stars or sip cocktails from carved ice tumblers. Over the years, it has also become popular for weddings, thanks to its gorgeous ice chapel.

Price range: ₹24,000 – ₹45,000 per night
Perks: Access to hot tubs and saunas, welcome cocktails served in an ice glass, and discounts for day visitors.

At Hotel de Glace’s Ice Bar, cocktails are served in a hand-sculpted ice glasses (photo: instagram/@hoteldeglace)

3. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland

This Finnish paradise is known for its iconic glass igloos, made of special anti-frost material, which give a clear view of the outdoors throughout the season. The experience of sleeping under a starry sky with the aurora borealis overhead is its main attraction. Alternatively, guests can book snow igloos, which provide a cozy experience with thermal sleeping bags, keeping them warm in sub-zero temperatures that oscillate between -3°C and -6°C inside. The contrast of sleeping in snow domes and then warming up in traditional Finnish saunas makes the stay unforgettable. Dog sledding and reindeer safaris are also available.

Price range: ₹30,000 – ₹53,000 per night (glass igloos higher, snow igloos slightly less)
Perks: Aurora alarm service, husky safaris, ice fishing, and complimentary breakfast.

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In Frame: Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt enjoying his stay at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (photo: Instagram/@kakslauttanen_arctic_resort)

4. Iglu-Dorf, Switzerland

Iglu-Dorf offers a collection of igloo villages built fresh every winter. Each igloo is artistically sculpted by hand using giant balloons as molds. Guests can ski down world-class Swiss slopes during the day and retreat into a hand-carved snow suite at night. The destination is particularly popular among couples, with romantic igloos stealing the spotlight. Candlelight dinners and mulled wine add to the heavenly experience.

Price range: ₹14,000 – ₹42,000 per person per night
Perks: Welcome drink, guided igloo tour, cheese fondue dinner, use of whirlpools, and breakfast at a nearby mountain restaurant.

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5. Kirkenes Snowhotel, Norway

The beautiful Kirkenes Snowhotel stands pretty close to the Russian border. Here you can choose either dedicated snow suites or warm wooden cabins, shaped like little hobbit houses, inspired by traditional Sami huts. The interior temperature is always kept at a steady -4°C, no matter how cold it gets outside, ensuring tourist comfort. Each year, the hotel is rebuilt by artists, featuring ice carvings inspired by Arctic wildlife. Besides northern lights viewing, guests can try king crab fishing, where the catch is cooked fresh and served as a meal, or enjoy husky rides.

Price range: ₹29,000 – ₹50,000 per night
Perks: Includes thermal sleeping bags, a morning sauna session, guided king crab safari, and chances to spot the aurora.

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