Cold comfort: A suite at the Mammut Snow Hotel
Travelers who never are
satisfied with in-room air conditioning might want to try
staying in a hotel built entirely of ice. Such properties are
rebuilt more elaborately every year, as they melt every spring
(tip: Shy away from booking too late in the year). And visitors
need not worry about frostbite: Whether it’s reindeer skins or
high-tech sleeping bags, these properties specialize in making a
cold room cozy. Below are some of the genre’s latest and
greatest.
Sweden’s original
ICEHOTEL is located in the village of Jukkasjarvi.
The 2007 model will offer 82 rooms, an ice church and an ice bar
that serves only Absolut Vodka drinks. Nearby are two restaurants,
54 heated guest rooms (great for timid spouses), a sauna and three
conference rooms, all of which are open year-round. (011)
46-980-66-800; www.icehotel.com
Built entirely from snow, Finland’s
Mammut Snow Hotel is inside the huge SnowCastle.
The property, to open in 2007, will feature 20 double rooms, three
rooms for groups, an ice chapel and an ice restaurant. (011)
358-16-259-502; www.snowcastle.net
Originally modeled after Sweden’s, the
Quebec Ice Hotel will include 36 rooms, an ice
chapel, two art galleries, an ice lounge, a club, an outdoor hot
tub, a sauna and 10 nearby heated meeting rooms upon opening in
2007. (418) 875-4522; www.icehotel-canada.com
In Norway, the Alta Igloo
Hotel will be Europe’s northernmost ice hotel. The 2007
property plans to offer about 30 rooms, an ice chapel and an ice
bar. (011) 47-784-333-78; www.ice-alta.no