The world’s coolest ice hotels

Re-create Narnia or Game of Thrones exploring some of the world’s most magnificent ice structures and igloos.

For Stargazing

Kakslauttanen Igloo East Village – Finland

This place is a stargazer’s dream-come-true. Glass igloos have been constructed amidst the snow and trees, providing astounding views of the night sky. The glass is frost-resistant so that even in the most extreme winter weather guests will be able to gaze out at their surreal surroundings. If you’re lucky, you might catch the northern lights. Take reindeer-drawn sled rides or cocoon yourself in your igloo and soak up the all-consuming quiet.

For Luxury

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Norway

Far removed from the traditional igloo, this hotel has the decadence of a Bond villain’s lair. The entirety of the hotel is made of snow and ice, from the walls down to the glasses in the ice bar. Each room has a bed carved out of blocks of ice and draped in reindeer skins, aside a spacious living room complete with ice sofa and (fake) fireplace. The temperature inside is kept between minus four and seven degrees Celsius, and every summer the hotel is allowed to melt away to be rebuilt the following year. Walking through its blue-lit hallways lined with ice columns, the mood is somewhat eerie, marked by a distinct silence enhanced by the fact that there is no WiFi. There are also no bathrooms within the ice structure, so if you need a toilet break in the middle of the night, you’ll have to brave the cold outdoors to get to the main building. Spending a night here definitely feels intrepid, breathing in crisp air as you lie down to sleep on a giant ice cube. But it’s all pulled off with such panache that it feels totally luxurious.

For Skiing

Igloo Village Kühtai – Austria

You don’t need to cross the Arctic Circle to sleep on ice. You can experience a night in an igloo village on the Alpine slopes of Austria. With the added bonuses of being able to ski straight out of your door onto the slopes and to enjoy the rich Austrian cuisine. You can’t leave without trying some cheese fondue, raclette or Kaiserschmarrn (shredded, fluffy pancakes drizzled with icing sugar and topped with stewed fruit). Wrapped up in sleeping bags and thermals, it does feel a bit like camping. Just in a completely novel and ethereal setting. Jolly after-dinner drinks can turn into nighttime walks which can turn into a thrilling sled races.