For the past few years, ice hotels and snow hotels have been some of the biggest attractions for visitors to Scandinavia, and it's clear why – they offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience winter at its most magical, in the depths of snowy countryside and surrounded by world-class art. If you're thinking of planning an ice hotel holidays, these are the best ice hotels that you'll want to visit.
ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi
Founded in 1989, this is the original ice hotel and still one of the most popular around. Located in Swedish Lapland, the ICEHOTEL offer rooms and suites completely fashioned out of ice, as well as smaller ice and snow rooms. We recommend visiting the ICEBAR, where guests and day visitors can pop by for a specialty cocktail served in a glass made of ice – take a look at our popular ICEHOTEL break for more of what this fantastic hotel offers. New this year, the ICEHOTEL also offers ICEHOTEL 365, a collection of 20 suites that are kept to temperature throughout the summer, enabling guests to visit any time of year.
Kirkenes Snowhotel
The Kirkenes Snowhotel is a much-loved "designer" ice hotel in Kirkenes, Norway. Smaller than other ice and snow hotels, this property provides a high level of service and a warm feeling of camaraderie, even in this icy setting. Not only are the rooms stunning, coming with thick thermal sleeping bags and reindeer skins for a cosy night's sleep, but the food is all locally-sourced, and those wishing for a heated room can stay in one of the stylish Sami-inspired Gamme cabins, with large windows for viewing the Northern Lights.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Norway is also home to the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, in Alta, located north of Tromso in Finnmark, where the sweeping landscape is the least-inhabited of all of Norway, giving guests an opportunity to truly get away from it all. The ice sculptures here are breath-taking, with new contributions each winter from renowned artists. We think that guests will also fall in love with the seasonal dining of northern Norway – Arctic char, mussels, cloudberries – as well as the excursions hosted by the hotel to try snowmobiling and more in this inter wonderland.
Lainio Snow Village
Lainio Snow Village can be found in Kittilä, Finnish Lapland, and offers more than just an ice room, accommodating guests who may be seeking something a bit different. While the ice and snow rooms are beautiful and lit to create an exciting mood, there are also tepee cabins for two people available as well as a collection of cabins for groups ranging up to seven. The feeling really is of a village, with a great atmosphere provided by the attentive staff.
Honorary mention: Hôtel de Glace
While not in Scandinavia, but Canada, Québec's Hôtel de Glace deserves a spot on this list, as it is undoubtedly one of the best ice hotels in the world. Easily accessible to central Québec, and showcasing the finest in ice carving each year with its Ephemeral Architecture Contest, this is the place to be for some truly innovative room designs. You'll also find an outdoor relaxation area with saunas, an on-site spa, a year-round indoor waterpark kept at toasty tropical temperatures and sledding and skating activities for all.
Want to learn more? Explore all of our ice hotels to find the one that's right for you.
For first-time visitors to an ice hotel, read our article on top tips to know before you go.
