ICEHOTEL: The Swedish Hotel That Melts and Is Rebuilt Every Year
In the far north of Sweden, there is an accommodation that challenges the traditional idea of what a hotel can be. ICEHOTEL, considered the world’s first ice hotel, is built from ice and snow on the banks of the Torne River in Jukkasjärvi, about 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. The site has become […]
ICEHOTEL is the world's first ice hotel, located in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, approximately 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. It is constructed from ice and snow gathered from the Torne River, with its interior temperature hovering around -5 degrees Celsius. The hotel, founded in 1989 by Yngve Bergqvist, started as an ice sculpture art gallery, known as Arctic Hall. Its reputation grew when visitors discovered they could spend the night in the ice structure, leading to its transformation into a year-round destination.
Each winter, the hotel is rebuilt using blocks of ice weighing up to two tons, stored under controlled conditions during summer. The construction process takes about six weeks, with approximately 150 artistic proposals submitted each season, and around 15 chosen to be part of the new edition. The hotel features around 120 rooms, with an additional ICEHOTEL 365 permanent section opened in 2016 to accommodate year-round ice room experiences.
Staying at ICEHOTEL involves dressing warmly, using special sleeping bags in -5 to -8 degrees Celsius rooms, and having access to warm areas equipped with a sauna. The hotel complex offers over 120 rooms in both cold and warm sections, an Icebar, exhibition spaces, and various activities such as dog-sledding, snowmobile tours, and fishing trips during the Midnight Sun. The overall experience, connected to the region's natural phenomena, makes ICEHOTEL a unique and captivating destination.
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