Located deep in the small village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, more than 200 km from the center of the Arctic, Icehotel is built entirely from ice and snow. This is considered the oldest operating ice hotel in the world, and was honored as the best ice hotel in the world in 2019 by Time Magazine.
The strange thing is that every year the Icehotel is rebuilt and only opens to guests in the winter. This year's version of the Icehotel features a new theme for the rooms and many new ice sculptures. The Icehotel is considered as an art exhibition as well as a functional hotel.
Located deep in the small village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, more than 200 km from the center of the Arctic, Icehotel has an architecture made entirely of ice and snow blocks.
Stopping at Icehotel, visitors can choose a standard room with the entire space made of ice, even the bed. In particular, this place offers a unique experience with each room delicately sculpted by famous artisans around the world.
Because of the nature of being made up of snow and ice blocks, this special hotel only welcomes guests in winter. From mid-December, it will begin to open to guests until the end of winter. The construction of the ice hotel is only temporary because it depends on the temperature. If the temperature is cold enough, reaching freezing point, it can be successfully built. Usually at 0 degrees Celsius or below. If it does not reach this level, the temperature is high, not cold enough, it will not be possible to build them.
As winter ends and the weather warms up, the ice and snow that make up the hotel will be at risk of melting. So they will look ahead and arrange a plan to "close" the hotel before the summer comes. The chosen time to start construction is around mid-October or early November. And the dismantling will be carried out at the end of March.
The main lobby of the Ice Hotel, designed by artists Jens Thoms Ivarsson and Mats Nilsson
The temperature of the “coldest” room is down to minus 5 degrees Celsius. However, there are still warm rooms, equipped with heaters, more suitable for children and the elderly. For other normal rooms, visitors can also use sleeping bags and thermal blankets to ensure health.
Not only is the Icehotel a unique architectural reality in each room, it is also unique with its chapel and ice tent to experience the Northern Lights, creating an interesting aurora phenomenon. Many couples have chosen the Ice Hotel as a wedding venue, where the magnificent wedding hall is like a fairy tale. For those who want a unique experience but do not want to stay in the ice room, there is also a warm room right next door.
Besides the wonderful experiences and magical works, Icehotel is also an attractive place with a diverse menu, serving delicious dishes with traditional Swedish flavors, using typical ingredients such as deer, reindeer... Discover the unique and attractive culinary world at Ice Hotel, a place that warms the hearts of visitors on cold days.
Take a look at close-up images inside the ice hotel in Sweden:
A phenomenon called "polar stratospheric clouds" can be seen in the sky above the Icehotel.
A snow plow at the construction site of the new Icehotel
View of the Icehotel room titled "Katt & Råtta", created by artists Tjåsa Gusfors and Hanneke Supply
Icehotel entrance lobby
A woman lies on a bed covered in reindeer skin at the ice hotel.
View of the room titled "Don't Get Up" created by artists Wilfred Stijger and Edith Van De Wetering at the Icehotel
The Northern Lights shine above the Torne River with the Icehotel at bottom left, seen on 15/12/2023
Audience enjoys a performance at the theater at the Icehotel
Drinks in ice glasses placed on an ice table at the Icehotel
An ice art installation is displayed in the "The Ice Are the Window to the Soul" suite, designed by Tim Linhart and Giovanna Martinez inside the Icehotel
Image of a tent set up next to the entrance of the Icehotel with the northern lights above, seen on December 16, 2023
Tourists stand on an ice tower in the Icehotel grounds.
Icehotel from above
This room, called "Oh My Goddess!", was created by artists Ulrika Tallving and Giovanna Martinez
Auroras light up the night sky above a stream near the Icehotel on December 16, 2023
