During winter, most travelers would choose to escape to the tropics and enjoy some warm sun, fine sand and clear waters. Another option, however, is to embrace the cold and stay at these ultra cool ice hotels. Melting and being rebuilt every year, these ice hotels feature unique rooms and top of the line features and service. Here are the best ice hotels for you to chill in this winter.
1. Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden - One of the earliest ice hotels and the most luxurious, each suite was custom designed by renowned artists around the world. In case it isn't the season for northern lights, a colorful Aurora Borealis light show is projected onto each room's ceiling every night. In addition, the deluxe suite is even fitted with a private sauna (also made of ice).
2. Snow Village, Kittila, Finland - Located less than 120 miles from the Arctic Circle, Conde Nast Traveler says that it takes more than 33 million pounds of snow to create Snow Village every winter. With more than 30 rooms, two restaurants and a bar all made out of ice, sculpturally made and structurally stable, this ice hotel also features a beautiful chapel.
4. Hotel of Ice, Balea Lac, Romania - With perhaps the most spectacular location of all ice hotels, this one is built atop a frozen glacial lake nestled in a mountain valley. Private igloos are outfitted with warm fireplaces and the ice restaurant serves delicious Transylvanian and Romanian dishes done in the traditional style. Winter activities such as skiing, skating and even ice bowling and snowman -making competitions are available at the resort's Winter Park.
5. Hotel de Glace, Quebec, Canada - With average in-rom temperatures at its 44 suites at 25 degrees, ice beds are provided with fur blankets and arctic sleeping bags to keep guests warm. Some higher end suites even include in-room fireplaces, specially made to keep guests warm but preventing the hotel's ice structure from melting.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
