With spectacular ice sculptures to admire and sub-zero temperatures to snuggle up in, a night in an ice or snow hotel offers a unique combination of cosiness and thrill. Unsurprisingly, drifting off to sleep in an intricately designed ice room is a dream on many bucket lists. As destination specialists, we’d like to help travellers go beyond the bucket list and choose the most suitable ice hotel experience based on their individual needs. We’ve selected our most memorable snowy stays, each offering a unique twist in Norway, Finland and Sweden.

The ICEHOTEL

Touch down in Kiruna, not far from Sweden’s northernmost town. One man’s dream of a hotel made entirely from ice and snow is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. The artist community that gathers on the shores of the Torne River each autumn may describe it as the hotel’s 30th reinvention. Each year, the ICEHOTEL is built from scratch with ice sourced from the frozen Torne River, just a few metres from the hotel. From mid-December, honeymooners and couples seeking a truly memorable experience can enjoy a night in the -5°C (23°F) ‘warm’ room. Not to worry, guests can warm up with a thrilling dog-sledding adventure on the frozen river, a complimentary sauna session, or a Sami reindeer experience in a cosy lavvo tent.</p>

Our experts recommend a stay at the original ICEHOTEL for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience. The hotel can tailor stays to include a wide range of Arctic outdoor activities.

If you prefer a slightly warmer experience, we recommend an autumn visit to ICEHOTEL 365, a permanent installation with a few more perks. Here you’ll find a sauna suite or en-suite bathroom.

Snowhotel Kirkenes

Nestled between the Russian border and the Barents Sea, Arctic climes and warm hospitality await at mainland Norway’s final frontier. The small-scale ice hotel is open year-round, and a stay in the warm panoramic Gamme Cabins is a great way to round off the experience. At the hotel, guests will delight in Russian-, Frozen-, and Norwegian folklore-inspired design before heading to their own frozen lodgings.

A unique must-do at the Snowhotel is the Kirkenes king crab safari. This supersized, sumptuous crab lurks in the freezing coastal waters and is considered a local delicacy. On a small-boat tour, you’ll help catch this humongous species. Expect to do some heavy lifting, as the king crab can weigh up to 12.5kgs.

We recommend travelling to Snowhotel Kirkenes for a personal, small-scale experience and unique Arctic adventures. The hotel is located close to Finland’s northern border, so why not combine an ice hotel stay with a night in one of Finnish Lapland’s dreamy glass igloos? This combination of stays gives you the best of both worlds in the Ice Hotels in Norway, Finland and Sweden region.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel

Welcome to the world’s northernmost snow hotel, located near Alta, Norway’s (self-proclaimed) Northern Lights city. Just outside the small Arctic town, Sorrisniva is built from nothing but snow and imagination. At Sorrisniva, we recommend spending one night on a bed carved from ice, ordering a drink colder than a polar bear’s toenail at the ice bar, and enjoying a soul-warming meal at the hotel’s restaurant.

Pair with a stop in Tromso, where a wide range of Arctic adventures await. Including reindeer safaris, snowmobiling expeditions, and dog-sledding, we think this complements this Arctic journey.

Little known fact: The hotel’s mountainous surroundings inspired the dramatic landscapes in Frozen 2. Perhaps you can recognise similarities between the Finnmark Plateau and the mysterious autumnal landscape featured in the movie?

Tromso Ice Domes

Close to the Arctic city of Tromso, the Tromso Ice Domes are perhaps the most accessible ice hotel. At the Domes, awe and adrenaline meet. By day, the ice domes serve as an adventure hub, with intricate snow carvings to admire at the ice restaurant, cinema, and bar. Learn about the region’s Sami heritage before heading off on a dog-sledding adventure.

As darkness falls, the snowy destination transforms into a peaceful retreat. Just before you go to sleep, we suggest making the most of the peaceful atmosphere and lack of light pollution by joining a Northern Lights Hunt on snowshoes. We recommend staying at the Tromso Ice Domes as part of an active break in and around Tromso.

Hunderfossen – A family-friendly snow hotel

Does Disney’s magical movie inspire your little one’s outfit and song choices? Perhaps it’s time to travel to Anna and Elsa’s home country and stay in a magical palace reminiscent of the ice castle on the North Mountain. Hunderfossen theme park, located north of Oslo, offers a magical overnight stay in Norwegian folklore-inspired ice rooms. During the day, the kids can visit a snow exhibition, meet real-life elves and ice princesses, whizz around on mini-snowmobiles, or climb the North Mountain in Anna-style.</p>

Tip: Combine your family snow hotel adventure with a journey back in time at Oslo’s Folkemuseum. The outdoor museum, just outside the capital, chronicles Norwegian life through the centuries, engaging both adults and children.