| Over the last two decades, a number of ice hotels | | | | often, reindeer hides lining the beds. Rather |
| have been established in a variety of arctic countries. | | | | predictably, keeping warm is a major concern for |
| The first, in Sweden, had its first guests in 1989, | | | | guests and staff of these hotels. |
| though these were non-paying visitors who had | | | | It's not just the hotels themselves that are made out |
| come to see an exhibition held there and were unable | | | | of ice either. Furniture, sculptures and even plates |
| to find accommodation in the nearby town. From this, | | | | and glasses are crafted from ice in plenty of these |
| though, sprang up the foundations for an entire hotel | | | | places. Most also offer restaurants, chapels and bars, |
| industry. | | | | all also made from ice. Even the beds in the suites |
| Available only during the winter months, ice hotels are | | | | are made from ice. |
| constructed using blocks of ice held together by | | | | The popularity of ice hotels has led to a Finnish igloo |
| snice (frozen water with properties half-way | | | | village being created by Hotel Kakslautanen. Rather |
| between snow and ice). As they begin to melt, | | | | than a single ice building being constructed, a variety |
| usually around April, they are abandoned until | | | | of igloos are made. They also boast the world's |
| construction begins once again, often around | | | | largest smoke sauna (sauna trips followed by icy dips |
| September or October. | | | | seem to be a staple of the ice hotels) as well as |
| Due to the reconstruction every year, each ice hotel | | | | something quite different to other offerings: |
| is different from not only every other ice hotel, but | | | | Igloo-shaped structures, built from a special thermo |
| also from its previous iterations. The Swedish | | | | glass, are available to stay in for a night. Designed to |
| 'ICEHOTEL' in Jukkasjarvi, for instance, selects a | | | | stop snow and ice frosting the windows, the idea is |
| group of artists each year to design a suite each, as | | | | that you can stay in a normal temperature building |
| well as a group of fifty to work on the chapel. | | | | with a perfect view of the star-filled night sky and |
| Along with Sweden, ice hotels exist in Canada, | | | | the Aurora Borealis. They have their own toilets and |
| Norway, Romania and Finland, each providing a | | | | a luxury bed, so you can stay warm and cut off |
| different take on the experience of staying in a | | | | from the sub-zero temperatures outside for the |
| building constructed entirely of ice. Each also offer a | | | | whole night. It's supposedly spectacular in a snow |
| range of different activities to take part in during the | | | | storm as well. |
| day. | | | | Whether igloos will become more popular than ice |
| There are some similarities between them, other | | | | hotels remains to be seen. Both can exist alongside |
| than being built of ice. The first is a recommendation | | | | each other, possibly even in the same places, but |
| of thermal underwear for guests staying there. The | | | | each promises a unique and extraordinary experience |
| second is the inclusion of thermal sleeping bags and, | | | | regardless. |