5 ice hotels in Europe for you to spend the night

I admit, an ice hotel is not exactly the warmest place to spend a night. However the attraction of such constructions is irresistible so even if you do not gather the courage to stay overnight, just go for a short visit. You will step in an unreal world, magical … 🙂 & icy! Hei, there’s nothing you can not resolve with adequate clothes and a sleeping bag. The experience is more than rewarding. So here is a list of the coolest ice hotels of Europe that you can visit during the cold season.

1.The Ice Hotel at Balea Lac

It is neither the biggest nor the most impressive but it is located in our country and than again, driving on Transfagarasan takes you in the heart of the stunning Fagaras Mountains. In addition, the construction of this year ice hotel it is near completion with 14 thematic rooms to accommodate the guests. Each room will be named after the countries in the EU. The hotel opens for visitors on Christmas Eve 2015, offering you, besides accommodation, a restaurant and an Ice Bar. So even if you are just passing by, you can stop for a gourmand lunch or just to spend a few quiet hours at the bar you’re your friends.

2.Igloo Village Kakslauttanen

You will find it in Saariselka, Finland and it is perhaps one of the most complex hotels among the ice winter resorts. From wooden cottages to real snow igloo it is up to your imagination to choose the accomodation. Moreover, as this year is the last period of time for the next 10 years that you can see the Aurora Borealis, I recommend you not to miss the chance. If you are sensitive to cold, just stay in one of the glass igloo instead and experience watching the Northern lights from bed.

3.ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

In 1989 Icehotel was the first of its kind to be constructed and every year since is being built with the help of international designers and artists from Jukkasjärvi using ice brought from the cold waters of the Torne River, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. The walls, floor and ceiling of the hotel are amazing works of art, impressive despite the fact that they have a short existence. If you are lucky enough to be a guest here just enjoy the ice sculpting workshops, the relaxing Swedish sauna or go out for a trip into the Sámi culture. You can always catch a sleigh ride, spend time skiing and obviously experience the Nothen lights. There is also an ice church on the premises if you feel romantic and inspired by this unusual decor. You never know :)!

 4.The Snowcastle of Kemi in Finland

Princess or not this winter you can choose a holiday booking at Kemi Snow Castle. You have the rooms decorated with magnificent ice sculptures and characters to make you feel like in a real fairytale. It is built each new season in a different architectural style, so you will enjoy the castle even if you stayed there before. The meals will be served around the ice table of the SowRestaurant while enjoying some local specialties such as smoked reindeer soup or reindeer fillet. For those of you who are vegetarians just stick with salads, there are few alternatives around. As in the Icehotel above there is also a Snow Chapel here  for you to get married during the cold season. Set in the Gulf of Bothnia, the hotel is a source of great pride for locals and a true architectural gem.

5.Eskimska Vas, Slovenia

With the first month of winter Vas Eskimska / Igloo Village is back in the white landscape of Slovenia. In 2015/2016 winter season the tourists are expected in three locations – in Kranjska Gora, on Krvavec and Pokljuka. This is a hotel much closer to Romania than the previous four so the holiday village is perfect for a winter adventure that starts with a cable car ride up the mountain followed by a snowshoe hike .The reward consists of hours of relaxation while sipping a drink on the house igloo-bar or enjoying the taste of traditional sausages. And when you’re ready to go out in the snow, try biking (bike with skis instead of wheels), snow tubing and sledding.

And if you’re lucky enough to have visited all five, then you can also stay in the ice hotel Sorrisniva Igloo in Alta or at Kirkenes Snowhotel, both in Norway.

ps: if you are a simple visitor in the areas mentioned do not forget to check the local weather before departure, the official opening date for each hotel and the visiting hours

This post is also available in: Romanian