8 incredible igloo hotels to visit this winter
Editor's note: This is a regularly recurring post that has been updated with the latest igloo offerings that can be booked.
Most people like ice with their drinks — but what about with their hotel accommodations?
Every year, igloo hotels are recreated entirely from mounds of snow and ice and feature some of the most unique lodgings and amenities for winter lovers. From molded-ice beds to reindeer-fueled sled rides, these hotels provide their guests with winter experiences they won't soon forget.
While it's not possible for Americans to visit some of these locations this winter due to COVID-19 restrictions, put them on your list for when they start to open up.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Where to find it: Saariselka, Finland
Why it's cool: At the Kakslauttanen resort, guests can sleep under the Arctic sky and experience the magical wonder of the northern lights from their bed. This resort offers sleeping options that range from charming log cabins to glass igloos. It has five smoke saunas, two restaurants and access to ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in one of Finland's largest national parks, Urho Kekkonen. Small igloo rates start at about $435 per night for off-season double occupancy and $484 for peak-season double occupancy.
How cold is it? The hotel rooms are kept between 21 and 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Igloo guests are provided with a hat, sleeping bag and pair of woolen socks for extra warmth and comfort.
Best time to visit: The seasons are very different, so why not experience them all? (Note: Glass igloos are available throughout the northern lights season, from late August to the end of April.)
Related: The best hotel credit cards of 2021
Icehotel and Icehotel 365 Sweden
Where to find it: Jukkasjarvi, Sweden
Why it's cool: The Icehotel Sweden is built each year with around 1,000 blocks of ice. Guests can also stay in the permanent Icehotel 365 year-round. The winter-exclusive Icehotel features 12 individually designed art suites and 24 ice rooms, while Icehotel 365 includes nine deluxe suites (with private bathroom kept at a warm temperature) and another nine art suites. There are also a number of "traditional" hotel rooms, with heat and running water. After a visit to the sauna, complete the day with a frozen drink from the Icebar. An overnight stay includes winter activities ranging from snowmobiling to dogsledding to an ice sculpting class to a northern lights hunt. Rates depend on room type and dates.
How cold is it? The temperature in the cold rooms never drops below 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best time to visit: The Icehotel is a great location for viewing the northern lights between December and April.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Where to find it: Alta, Norway
Why it's cool: Located on the banks of the Alta River, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is the northernmost ice hotel in the world. It has 30 rooms and suites and houses an ice bar, ice chapel and ice sculptures — in addition to an amazing location to view the northern lights. Guests can even chase the northern lights on a sled pulled by reindeer. End your day with a visit to the hotel's sauna or outdoor hot tub, or get a drink from the ice bar, where the drinks are served in glasses made from ice, of course. Rates start at about $312 per night, per person for a double igloo room in December and $288 per night, per person from January through April.
How cold is it? Temperatures are kept between 20 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests sleep inside toasty sleeping bags on mattresses with reindeer hides.
Best time to visit: Peak season is between January and April.
LAPLAND SNOWVILLAGE
Where to find it: Kittila, Finland
Why it's cool: With a different theme and design each year, Lapland SnowVillage has several suites that can accommodate two or more people. Each features different decorations and guests receive a diploma for spending the night in a snow suite. Nearby, cabins and a cottage provide a homey reprieve of warmth and comfort after a night in the snow suite. Cabins come with a sauna and the teepee cottage features a sauna with whirlpool bath. Rates start at around $273 for a double-occupancy room, per night.
How cold is it? SnowVillage remains between 23 and 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best time to visit: December through early April (SnowVillage won't open until Dec. 20 this year).
Alpeniglu Igloo Village
Where to find it: Thale, Austria
Why it's cool: Nestled in the Kitzbuhel Alps, Alpeniglu Igloo Village offers seven private igloo suites with overnight packages including an Igloo Magic Evening party that features a guided tour around an ice sculpture exhibition, fondue on a crystal-clear ice table, a torch walk under the stars and a unique ice-carving workshop. Room rates start at around $173 per person during the low season and about $215 per person during peak season.
How cold is it? The rooms have a constant temperature of 28 degrees Fahrenheit and the ice-carved accommodations come with high-quality sleeping bags and reindeer skins to keep guests comfortable.
Best time to visit: Peak season is from late December through early March.
Hotel de Glace
Where to find it: Quebec City
Why it's cool: Hotel de Glace is the only ice hotel in North America entirely made of ice and snow. Constructed with 35,000 tons of snow, this hotel has 21 rooms and suites, an ice bar and snow slides. The hotel even provides modified sleeping bags for children so that they warm up quickly. An overnight stay includes a welcome cocktail, Nordic skiing equipment, access to the spas and sauna, access to the ice skating path, gratuities and discounts on activities. There are specifically kid-friendly activities, such as an indoor water park (Bora Parc) and outdoor activities like snow rafting. Rates start at about $306 per night for two adults in a one bed Hôtel de Glace Room if booked by Oct. 31, 2021.
How cold is it? The temperature in the room stays between 23 and 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Guests receive a sleeping bag and an insulating bed sheet.
Best time to visit: January through March. Book before Oct. 31 for discounted rates.
Snowhotel Kirkenes
Where to find it: Kirkenes, Norway
Why it's cool: This hotel is entirely built with ice and snow, with rooms stocked with warm thermal sleeping bags. Meals are served in the hotel's warm restaurant, which features Norwegian food accompanied by homemade jelly from local blackcurrants and rowan berries and cheese from local farmers. With 13 rooms, the Snowhotel is suitable for singles, couples and large groups. Guests can warm up in the on-site sauna, visit the nearby husky farm or take advantage of activities such as ice fishing, a husky safari and a snowmobile safari. Rates start at about $370 per person for double occupancy during the high season from Dec. 1 and April 30.
How cold is it? The temperature is always around 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best time to visit: Open year-round; late December through March is ideal.
Lucky Ranch Saloon Snow Igloo
Where to find it: Pelkosenniemi, Finland
Why it's cool: If you want the real deal, i.e., an actual igloo, then head for this snow igloo, created from scratch every winter by Lucky Ranch Saloon. Located either at a horse farm or next to Lake Pyhajarvi, the igloo features a real bed with sleeping bags. But since it's a real igloo, expect temperatures to be below zero. Lit by LED lights and decorated with wall carvings of polar animals, each igloo can hold up to four persons and includes breakfast, parking and Wi-Fi. With the possibility of seeing the northern lights, you'll enjoy your time outdoors at the nearby Pyha-Luosto National Park. Rates start at about $151 per person, per night.
How cold is it?: Below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best time to visit: November to March.
Bottom line
Finding a flight to many of these igloo hotels may be the hardest part of your journey. Once you're there, these once-in-a-lifetime destinations will have most of the supplies you need to sleep warmly in an igloo environment. Peak season rates at some of these properties can be much higher than if you're willing to plan your trip for shoulder season. Given how cold it is in some of these locales, we're pretty sure you can get the full igloo experience even if it's not the dead of winter.
Reporting by Alexa Noel, Juvy Garcia and Tanner Saunders
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