How does it work – practical info

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What is it like to sleep in Icehotel?

The temperature inside the hotel hovers at a constant of -5 to -7 C. We provide you with expedition-style sleeping bags which are tested for extreme temperatures, so you’ll be fine with just thermals, hat, warm socks and a mid-layer jumper. You are given access to your room at 6 pm, but the heated service building is staffed and open 24 hours, this is where you store your belongings, collect your sleeping bag and use the bathroom, shower and sauna. There is a tutorial for guests sleeping amongst ice art every day.

 
two women in sleeping bags on ice bed
Photo Asaf Kliger
Art suite in blue made completely out of ice and snow with a bed in it
Design Javier Opazo | Photo Asaf Kliger

How many nights should I stay?

One night in an ice room or art suite and a couple of nights in a warm room is ideal, as it gives you time to join wilderness excursions on the days when you have a warm room to return to in the evening. If possible, we recommend you book your first or last night cool, the remaining nights in our warm cabins or hotel rooms, or join an overnight excursion (only on select days).

Where do I keep my belongings?

When staying in an ice room or in one of the art suites you store your belongings in a locker or booth in the warm service building which is staffed 24 hours, located just meters from the hotel. The Deluxe suites 365 has a private bathroom with shower and toilet directly connected to the bedroom. The heated relaxation area also provides storage for your belongings.

Bathroom in Icehotel 365 Deluxe suite with two ice glasses for Champagne
Photo Linda Johansson
Couple ice sculpting at Ice hotel
Photo Asaf Kliger

What should I do when I’m there?

Icehotel is carefully designed and handcrafted by artists from around the world so make sure to explore the art in the hotel. Roam amongst the beautiful ice sculptures and experience the magical setting in all rooms.

We recommend that you book activities to get the most of your holiday. Dog sledding, skiing or snowmobiling in winter, or river rafting and cycling in summer, takes you into the vast uninhabited boreal forest. Fishing, midnight sun and northern lights safaris are amazing ways to experience the Arctic. Joining a class with one of our master ice sculptors is of course a must!

Around and about Icehotel

The hotel is located in the heart of the tiny village Jukkasjärvi, with about 900 residents. Besides the actual ice hotel with rooms filed with ice art, ice bar and ceremony hall made of ice, Icehotel has a restaurant, cabins, hotel rooms and lounge – all housed in warm buildings within walking distance of each other. In winter there are 53 Ice rooms, Art Suites and Deluxe Suites and in summer there are 18. All year round we have seventy warm rooms; 44 hotel rooms and 28 chalets. There is also the local homestead restaurant just ten minutes’ walk away.

There is a local convenience store in the village, but no cash point.

The old wooden villas in Jukkasjärvi old town
Photo Asaf Kliger
Icehotel 365 entrance in summer
Photo Asaf Kliger

Good to know for the best experience

  • During the day Icehotel is open to the public. Day visitors and guests have access to see all the rooms, except reserved Deluxe Suites. This means overnight guests get their rooms at 6 pm.
  • Check-in and out for warm rooms is at 3 pm and 11 am.
  • All rooms in Icehotel Winter have curtain doors, while the Art and Deluxe Suites in Icehotel 365 all have doors.
  • The beds in the cold rooms have a bedframe made of ice, slatted bed base with mattress, reindeer skins and pillows.

  • There are no bathrooms (except the Deluxe Suites) or storage in the Ice rooms or Art suites. These facilities are housed in a heated service building, where you also keep your belongings during the night. The service desk is staffed 24 hours.
  • You get a locker or cubicle (if staying in an Art Suite), where you can get changed and keep your belongings.
  • The changing rooms, sauna and showers are communal for women and men respectively.
  • There are no electric sockets to charge your phone inside the cold room, so be sure to charge your phone before going to bed.
  • If you’re changing between ice suites and warm accommodation, there are about 6-7 hours when you don’t have a room to withdraw to. We strongly recommend you to plan one or two excursions during this time as exploring nature and local culture is a substantial part of getting the full experience. 
  • Ice is an organic material. We may carry out maintenance and repairs during open hours.
  • Icehotel is built in sections, which means that there is still building work going on for some time after we’re open for guests in December.
Flower at Icehotel in summer with a tipi tent
Photo Asaf Kliger

 

 

 


 

Good to know while planning your trip