Ice hotels are becoming more and more popular, but there’s one that started the trend. ICEHOTEL Sweden was the first hotel to be made entirely of ice, and you can still stay here every winter. In this article, we break down why this hotel is still one of the best, most unique places you can stay in the world, how to make a full vacation out of it, and what to expect during your stay (including how to stay warm despite sleeping on a bed of ice!).
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Why We’re Obsessed with ICEHOTEL
What’s so special about ICEHOTEL is that it’s not just ice-themed. It IS ice. And while most hotels are built once and made to last, this place is torn down by nature each year, only to be rebuilt the following winter again! It takes thousands of tons of ice from the Torne River to build everything from the suites, to the hallways, to the sculptures, to even the full ice chapel where you can get married! You’ll never stay in the same room twice, even if you visit year after year. But you get to experience the amazing artistry of ice sculptors from around the world.
Who This Is Perfect For
- Bucket-list chasers
- Anyone planning a Northern Lights trip
- Couples celebrating a big occasion
- Photographers (obviously)
- Luxury-adventurers
- Travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience
How to Get to ICEHOTEL Sweden
ICEHOTEL is located in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland, about 15 minutes from Kiruna Airport. Many unique hotels can be tricky to reach, so we love that this one is easy to add on to your Sweden itinerary.
ICEHOTEL Sweden Rooms
Ice Rooms
Everything is carved fresh from ice each winter. The ice rooms are around 18°F to 23°F (-5°C to -8°C). But don’t worry! You’re supplied with thermal sleeping bags and insulated bedding, which keep you plenty warm. Think about it this way: thousands upon thousands of people have stayed in ice hotels, and they wouldn’t do it if they were at risk of hypothermia!
Warm Rooms & Cabins
If you’re not fully sold on sleeping surrounded by ice, ICEHOTEL also has warm rooms and cozy cabins on site. So you can still experience the magic of the place without giving up a normal night’s sleep. You can still wander through the ice lobby, chapel, and other areas to take in the incredible artwork, and then crawl into your warm cabin bed.
How to Stay Warm at ICEHOTEL Sweden
Yes, the rooms are cold. But you’re sleeping on top of reindeer hides and an insulated mattress, with Arctic-grade thermal sleeping bags. Most guests have reported that they stayed warm the entire night. We think the best way to approach staying at this snow and ice hotel is to do one night in the ice room and another in the cabins. It’s the best of both worlds.
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Booking Tips
When to Stay at ICEHOTEL Sweden
One thing that’s truly mindboggling about this hotel is that you can stay in a room of ice all year long. While the natural ice sculptures and rooms melt away, ICEHOTEL 365 is here to stay. In the summer, they use solar energy to cool the rooms, so you can stay in a room made of ice even in the middle of summer. We kind of love this idea because when you get cold, you can just step outside to warm up!
If you want to stay in a room made of natural ice in the winter, we recommend visiting between December through March. You’ll get the full winter experience with snow activities and a shot at seeing the Northern Lights. But if you want the unique room without dealing with the winter weather, you can visit any other time of year and stay in ICEHOTEL 365.
Booking ICEHOTEL Sweden in Advance
Because the rooms are made unique by a new artist every year, they sell out very quickly. We recommend booking months ahead if you want your pick of rooms. Naturally, weekends and holidays sell out the fastest.
Book your ICEHOTEL Sweden stay today.
We also recommend locking in your excursions early, especially dog sledding and Northern Lights tours.
ICEHOTEL Sweden Prices
The ice rooms carry premium prices, especially during peak Northern Lights season. In general, warm accommodations are the most affordable option, while the natural ice and artist-designed ice suites are the most expensive. If you’re traveling during peak Northern Lights season, expect prices to be higher. Rates often include breakfast, morning sauna, warm lingonberry juice, and heated changing rooms and bathrooms.
One important thing to note is that only deluxe suites come with a private bathroom. We don’t think it’s worth upgrading just for this, especially if you plan to stay one night in their warm cabin, which does include a private bathroom.
How Long to Stay
We’d recommend at least two nights, so you’re not rushing through the activities. One ice night plus one warm night is a great way to hedge if you’re on the fence about the cold.
ICEHOTEL Activities
Part of why we love this place is that it doesn’t stop at the hotel itself. There’s no shortage of activities with dog sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer encounters, cross-country skiing, ice sculpting workshops, and guided Northern Lights hunts. There’s also the legendary Icebar, where cocktails are served in glasses made of ice.
Our ICEHOTEL Sweden Winter Packing Essentials
Is ICEHOTEL Sweden Worth It?
We cannot imagine visiting Swedish Lapland without planning a stay at ICEHOTEL. In fact, we think this hotel is worth planning an entire trip around. That’s when we know a place is truly special, when the hotel dictates the trip. Not only is it your chance to stay at a hotel that disappears every spring, but you also get the possibility of the Northern Lights and fun snow activities that make this a well-rounded trip.
ICEHOTEL Sweden FAQs
Is ICEHOTEL 365 different from the original ICEHOTEL? Yes. ICEHOTEL is rebuilt every winter using ice and snow from the Torne River, and it melts away each spring. ICEHOTEL 365 is a permanent section that’s frozen year-round thanks to solar-powered cooling. We recommend booking the natural-ice stay if your visit falls during the wintertime, and ICEHOTEL 365 if you’re visiting any other time during the year.
Where do you shower and use the bathroom? Standard ice rooms do not have private bathrooms, but there is a heated service building nearby. There you’ll find bathrooms, showers, lockers, and changing rooms. If you prefer a private bathroom, book one of the Deluxe Suites, which has its own ensuite bathroom.
What happens to your luggage when you stay in an ice room? Your luggage doesn’t come into the ice room with you. You’ll have access to a secure locker in the heated service building where you can store your belongings. Guests typically only bring their phone, glasses, and a water bottle into the ice room before going to sleep. Items like phones and cameras are fine to bring, but just note that batteries tend to drain faster inside.
How many nights should you stay at ICEHOTEL? For most travelers, one night is the perfect length to enjoy the experience. But we would recommend staying an extra night in one of the warm cabins. This is so that you have plenty of time to partake in the nearby activities.
What to wear at ICEHOTEL Sweden? The hotel recommends dry, thermal base layers like long underwear, warm socks, and a thin hat to go to sleep. Don’t worry about wearing bulky jackets to go to sleep. Your body heat keeps the sleeping bag they provide warm more effectively. But during the day, we would advise wearing a warm winter coat, insulated boots, gloves, and a hat.
Are there age requirements or rules for staying at the ICEHOTEL? Children must be at least 5 years old to sleep in an ice room. And children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Can you visit ICEHOTEL without staying overnight? Yes. You can purchase a daytime admission ticket to see the ice art, walk through the rooms, and visit the Icebar.
What is the closest airport to ICEHOTEL Sweden? ICEHOTEL is just a short 15-minute drive from Kiruna Airport, making it super easy to reach.
Other Snow & Ice Hotels
If ICEHOTEL has you hooked on the idea of sleeping in ice, a few other stays are worth knowing about.
Snowhotel Kirkenes (Norway): Similarly to ICEHOTEL 365, this one is mechanically cooled and open all year, so you don’t have to just visit in winter to sleep on ice. You can read our full breakdown of Snowhotel Kirkenes here.
Arctic SnowHotel (Finland): Choose between a snow-and-ice room or a heated glass igloo with Northern Lights views.
Hôtel de Glace (Canada): The only ice hotel in North America, located in Quebec, and rebuilt each year from January to March.
If ICEHOTEL has been on your bucket list, don’t sleep on it (pun intended). Every winter, the hotel becomes one-of-a-kind, and the best art suites sell out months before the season even starts. Staying at ICEHOTEL Sweden is an experience you don’t want to miss out on.
