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Nestled deep within the small village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, more than 200 km from the Arctic Circle, the Icehotel boasts architecture entirely constructed from ice and snow. Considered the world's oldest continuously operating ice hotel, it was named the world's best ice hotel in 2019 by Time magazine.
Oddly enough, the Icehotel is rebuilt once a year and only opens to guests during the winter. This year's version features a new theme for the rooms and many new ice sculptures. The Icehotel is considered both an art exhibition and a convenient hotel.
Nestled deep within the small village of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, more than 200 km from the Arctic Circle, the Icehotel boasts architecture entirely constructed from blocks of ice and snow.
At the Icehotel, guests can choose standard rooms where the entire space, including the bed, is made of ice. Particularly noteworthy is the unique experience offered by each room, meticulously sculpted by renowned artists from around the world.
Because it is primarily composed of snow and ice blocks, this unique hotel only welcomes guests during the winter season. It opens around mid-December and remains open until the end of winter. The construction of the ice hotel is only temporary, as it depends on temperature. It can only be built successfully if the temperature is cold enough to reach freezing point, usually 0 degrees Celsius or below. If the temperature is not high enough, construction is impossible.
As winter ends and the weather warms up, the ice and snow that make up the hotel are at risk of melting. Therefore, they will check the schedule and plan to "close" the hotel before summer arrives. The chosen time to begin construction of the ice hotel is around mid-October or early November. And 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 in the coldest room drops to minus 5 degrees Celsius. However, there are warmer rooms equipped with heaters, which are more suitable for children and the elderly. For other standard rooms, guests can also use sleeping bags and thermal blankets to ensure their well-being.
Beyond its unique architectural design in each room, the Ice Hotel is also distinguished by its church and ice tents, offering an immersive experience of the Northern Lights and the fascinating aurora borealis. Many couples have chosen the Ice Hotel as their wedding venue, with its magnificent ceremony space resembling a fairytale. For those seeking a unique experience without the ice rooms, there are also warm rooms available nearby.
Besides its amazing experiences and wondrous structures, Icehotel is also an attractive destination with a diverse menu serving delicious dishes with rich traditional Swedish flavors, using characteristic ingredients such as venison and reindeer. Discover the unique and fascinating culinary world at Icehotel, a place that warms the hearts of travelers on chilly days.
Take a closer look inside this icy hotel in Sweden:
The phenomenon known as "polar stratospheric clouds" can be seen in the sky above the Icehotel.
A snowplow is clearing snow at the construction site of the new Icehotel.
The Icehotel room's scene is titled "Katt & Råtta," created by artists Tjåsa Gusfors and Hanneke Supply.
The lobby of the Icehotel
A woman lies on a reindeer-skin bed at an ice hotel.
The scene in the room titled "Don't Get Up" was created by artists Wilfred Stijger and Edith Van De Wetering at the Icehotel.
The Northern Lights shone above the River Torne with the Icehotel in the lower left, as seen on December 15, 2023.
Audiences enjoy the performance at the theater in the Icehotel.
Drinks served in glasses with ice are placed on a stone table at the Icehotel.
An ice art installation is displayed in the suite "The Ice Are the Window to the Soul," designed by Tim Linhart and Giovanna Martinez inside the Icehotel.
An image of a tent set up next to the entrance of the Icehotel with the north-facing lights above, seen on December 16, 2023.
Tourists stand on an ice tower within the Icehotel grounds.
Icehotel viewed from above.
This room, titled "Oh My Goddess!", was created by artists Ulrika Tallving and Giovanna Martinez.
The aurora borealis shines in the night sky above a stream near the Icehotel on December 16, 2023.
