7 Thoughts That Go Through Your Mind When Sleeping in an Ice Hotel
This winter, I spent the night at the Icehotel in northern Sweden, though I probably only slept for an hour during my stay at the world’s first permanent ice hotel.
But that doesn’t mean I had a lousy time. The opposite is true, actually.
There are a handful of ice hotels around the world, from traditional igloo designs to structures that are frankly more art gallery than hotel. During the winter, for example, you can spend a night inside Quebec City’s Hôtel de Glace, among one-of-a-kind ice sculptures. There's also Alpeniglu, in Austria (downright balmy 28-degree igloos stocked with sleeping bags and reindeer skins) and Norway's Snowhotel Kirkenes, where the winter season extends to late April.
And then there's the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, where I stayed, which is open year round. No matter where you’re spending your night surrounded by snow or ice — or “snice,” the official term for a mixture of the two — you’re probably going to go through an emotional cycle of sorts. At least, I did.
If you’re a bit nervous about spending a night in one of the world’s many ice hotels, (and I highly recommend that you do try it at least once) here are a few things I learned from personal experience. First lesson? Don't expect your best night of sleep.
This Is Awesome!
It’s an exciting thought, truly; spending an entire night tucked into an Arctic-climate sleeping bag in a literal work of art. You should be exhilarated. I know I was. It’s one of those experiences not many people can have, mostly because it takes a very specific kind of climate to sustain an ice hotel. Planning a trip to one of these places is on many traveler’s bucket lists — as the Swedish Lapland was on mine — which only adds to the anticipation.
Do My Friends Hate Me?
Your friends know you’re going to spend a night in an ice hotel. You’ve asked them all for tips and tricks, and it’s come up in every dinner conversation you’ve had since booking. It’s OK: Get it out of your system. Chances are, you’ll only get to do this once (it’s an expensive experience) so enjoy the build up. Just don’t blame your friends if they stop listening.
It's Impossibly Quiet.
Once you get to the hotel, a lightning strike of incredulity will threaten to take you down. The room will be beautiful and even if the design isn’t necessarily your style, the skill with which everything was carved and arranged will leave you totally stunned. Take a moment to enjoy just how quiet is it in a room made of packed snow and ice.
I'm Really Cold.
In that quiet moment, you’ll probably realize for the first time just how cold it is; and you’re already bundled up. Just remember, no one has died from sleeping in an ice hotel — or at least, no deaths have been reported. You’ll be equipped with a professional-grade sleeping bag made to keep you warm and if you do get cold, a warm room is a few steps away. (At the Icehotel, there’s a warm bathroom and shower area just down the hall.) In moments of desperation, I even considered snoozing in the small closet you're assigned to store your belongings while staying at the Icehotel. (Hey, it has a bench for a reason, right?)
This Will Look Awesome on Instagram.
These rooms are asking to be photographed. Sure, in part it’s to show off to your social media followers. But your pictures are also proof. Proof that you did, indeed, survive a night encased in ice. Really beautiful ice.
It's Actually Freezing!
The moments before you fall asleep in your own bed may not stand out to you. But drop the temperature to sub-zero levels, and the stage between lucid and sleep can feel like a lifetime. Keep calm, put some music on, hum to yourself. Triple check that you're all zipped up in your sleeping bag.
For me, this stage lasted about five hours, unfortunately. Pair the cold temperature with an inclination to snore when I sleep on my back and the fact that I was sharing an ice bed with a light sleeper ... I got about 90 minutes of sleep (total).
So learn from my mistake: This is not the night to share a room with someone who will be kept up by any kind of noise. Also keep in mind that you don’t need to be a habitual snorer for it to happen to you; I certainly am not. But when you’re tucked into a freezing room with no real pillow support, anything can happen.
I Need a Nap.
I hope you get a better night sleep during your Icehotel stay. But in case you don’t, just factor in some time for a nap the day after. The experience, for me, wasn't great for a night of REM — but everyone has a different experience. TPG news editor Emily McNutt said that, despite the cold, the dark and quiet gave her two incredibly peaceful nights of sleep. Must be nice!
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.