New York,
07
November
2018
|
20:37 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

5 of the World’s Coolest Igloos and Ice Hotels for an Ultimate Winter Stay

As the days grow shorter and temperatures continue to drop, embrace the cold this winter with a stay in a cool igloo or ice hotel. With 36% of US travelers saying they plan to stay at least once in a type of accommodation they've never stayed at before in 2019 and 62% saying that they plan to prioritize spending money on experiences over material items when traveling in the year to come*, why not stay in an icy accommodation that is an experience in and of itself?

Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travelers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has delved into its more than 29 million listings in over 143,000 destinations around the globe to inspire travelers to discover the magic of spending a night in an igloo or ice hotel. Put on your warmest clothes, get cozy under the covers and fall asleep in the all-consuming quiet.

Snow Hotel - Kemi, Finland

The Snow Hotel is located in the Lapland region of Finland and offers ‘cool’ rooms made entirely out of ice and snow. If wondering how you are going to stay warm in a room that has an average temperature of 23 degrees Fahrenheit, beds are covered with warm lamb skin and sleeping bags with cozy fleece interiors. The Snow Hotel also features unique winter experiences such as a Snow Castle, a Snow Chapel for weddings, several sculptures with light effects, Gemstone Gallery and a weekly program that offers different activities and additional experiences for guests to choose from.

Icehotel - Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Tucked away amongst the various lakes and hills of northern Sweden, more than 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the Icehotel is rebuilt every winter entirely from snow and ice from the nearby Torne River. Holding a temperature between 17 to 23 degrees Fahrenheit, each of the individually themed rooms has hand-carved ice furnishings made by artists from all around the world. After a refreshing sleep in thermal sleeping bags on beds covered in reindeer hides, guests can start their day with a rich and hearty breakfast before spending time in the sauna, wood-burning hot tub or the ice bath. The area around Jukkasjärvi is popular for outdoor winter activities such as dog sledding, reindeer sled excursions and snowmobile tours.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Alta, Norway

Located along the Alta River over 12 miles from Alta’s town center, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is an impressive 21,528 square foot structure made entirely from snow and ice every winter. With a consistent room temperature between a chilling 19 to 24 degrees Fahrenheit, guests are encouraged to bring their own thermal undergarments to stay warm, although reindeer leather sleeping pads and ultra-warm sleeping bags are provided to every room. For those who like art, don’t miss the artistic ice sculptures on display throughout the property. For those seeking a little outdoor adventure, the friendly hotel staff will gladly assist with booking a snowmobile safari to explore the surrounding winter wonderland.

Hotel de Glace - Saint-Gabriel-De-Valcartier, Canada

With three thematic ice bars, an indoor ice slide and ice chapel that seats 70 guests, the Hotel de Glace in Saint-Gabriel-De-Valcartier, Quebec is a landmark on its own as it’s the only hotel of its kind in North America. The warm hotel staff welcomes guests with a cocktail in an ice glass before taking them to their cool room with a temperature between 23 to 26 degrees Fahrenheit. In case wanting to escape the cold for a while, this ice hotel also offers a heated indoor water park as well as a Nordic relaxation area with outdoor spas and sauna.

Blacksheep Village Igloo La Plagne - La Plagne, France

Overlooking the iconic Mont Blanc, the Blacksheep Village Igloo La Plagne is a great choice for travelers who would like to combine an igloo stay with an amazing ski trip. Set in La Plagne, near the Belle Plagne and Bergerie Ski Lifts, you can experience a variety of fun and exciting outdoor activities such as bobsleigh and luge before enjoying a delicious cheese fondue. If sleeping in a snow cave is not for you, guests can also book a stay at the Hot Igloo and enjoy the cozy heat of a wood stove.

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months/plan to take a trip in the next 12 months. In total 21,500 respondents were polled (including 1,000 each from Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, India, US, UK, Russia, Indonesia, Colombia and South Korea; and 500 each from Japan, New Zealand, Thailand, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Croatia, Taiwan, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden, Singapore and Israel). Respondents completed an online survey between 10th August and 30th August 2018.