That's right, a hotel made completely of snow and ice—It might be just the place for you if you enjoy adventure travel. Since the first “ice hotel” came into being more than 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden in 1992, others have been built in Finland, Norway and Romania. Europe even has several “igloo villages.” It's not surprising, then, that Canada followed suit in 2001.
What's it like sleeping in an igloo? Well, for starters, the hotel is open only from early January to early April, so you have to plan your vacation accordingly. Due to its seasonal nature, ice sculptors must redesign and re-create the entire hotel each winter, making it completely different from year to year.
And this really is way more than an igloo. In addition to rooms and suites, the Hôtel de Glace also has an Ice Bar, where cocktails are served in glasses made of ice; an elaborate crystalline chapel for weddings; a 9-foot-high, 53-foot-long ice slide; the Nordic Arts and Life Festival with ice sculptures, ice paintings and distinctive architectural designs; an ice café; hot tubs and a sauna; interior courtyards; and a gift shop.
A decorative ice chandelier in the Grand Hall, lit by fiber optics, sets the tone for guests, who are provided with a brief orientation following check-in. The rooms range from simple overnight digs to elaborate themed suites with a fireplace, spa and intricate ice and snow sculptures (no phones or televisions, though). Bathrooms (which are, thankfully, heated) are separate from the rooms. Package plans include such extras as massages, dog sledding and snowmobiling.
Like the building itself, the furniture is made of ice and snow, including the beds, which are thick slabs of ice topped by a wood frame; a deep, foam mattress; and a fleece sheet. Just before bedtime a pillow and a mummy-like sleeping bag are added. The accumulated snow and ice outdoors insulate the rooms, helping keep them between -3 and -5 C (27 to 23 F). Regardless of how cold it might be outside, though, you're snug and toasty warm in your sleeping bag.
If you decide that sleeping on ice isn't for you, you can still check out the Ice Hotel , just outside of Québec City in St-Gabriel-De-Valcartier, on a guided tour. “Cool” just doesn't begin to describe this place.