Staying in an Ice Hotel
Staying in an ice hotel has been on my bucket list forever, and Sweden’s Icehotel—famous for being the world’s first and most iconic—did not disappoint. From exploring an ice museum that felt like stepping into a frozen art gallery to sleeping in a room made entirely of snow and ice, the experience was as magical as it was… unconventional.
Let’s just say those Arctic sleeping bags were a challenge I didn’t see coming! In this guide, I’m breaking down the good, the bad, and everything you need to know about staying in an ice hotel—so you can decide if this bucket-list adventure is worth it for you.
Check out my video where I share a behind-the-scenes look at our unforgettable night at Sweden’s Icehotel! From jaw-dropping ice sculptures to sleeping in a room made entirely of snow and ice, this bucket-list stay was truly one of a kind. Whether you’re wondering what it’s really like or need tips for your visit, this video is worth a watch>
When I started planning our winter trip to Lapland, I knew staying in an ice hotel had to be part of the experience. Lucky for us, the world’s oldest ice hotel was just a four-hour drive from Rovaniemi in Sweden, and adding it to our plans was easier than I expected! There are a few different ways to get to the Icehotel, depending on your travel preferences:
Renting a car is a great option for those who enjoy scenic drives and flexibility. The roads are generally well-maintained, even in the winter months, but keep in mind that you’ll be driving through snowy and icy conditions. A 4WD vehicle is recommended for safety, especially if you’re unfamiliar with winter driving. Best rental car options here!
While there isn’t a direct train from Rovaniemi to the Icehotel, you can take a train from Rovaniemi to Kemi or Tornio, then continue by bus or car to Jukkasjärvi. Alternatively, you can head to Helsinki or Oulu, take a train to Kiruna in Sweden, and then take a short taxi ride to the Icehotel.
Fly into Kiruna Airport (KRN), which is only 15 minutes from the Icehotel. Direct flights are available from Stockholm and Helsinki, making it a quick and convenient option. If you’re flying from Rovaniemi, you would need to connect via Helsinki.
Yes, you can absolutely stay at Sweden’s IceHotel year-round, thanks to the “Icehotel 365” section! This part of the hotel stays frozen all year, so you can experience the magic of staying in an ice hotel—even in the summer. While the main IceHotel melts and gets rebuilt each winter, Icehotel 365 remains icy and ready for guests year-round. As the first permanent ice and snow hotel, it’s the perfect place to live out your dream of staying in an ice hotel, no matter the season!
Nope, you don’t have to stay overnight at the IceHotel in Sweden to visit! It’s open to the public during the day, so you can walk around and check out all the super cool and unique ice rooms and art made from ice. There is even an ice bar where you can stop and grab a drink before touring all the rooms. The classic IceHotel is open from December to April, and Icehotel 365 stays open all year long. So, whether you’re just visiting or actually staying in an ice hotel, there’s so much to do.
So, here’s where things get juicy—what’s it really like staying in an ice hotel? The temperature inside the IceHotel stays at a chilly 18 to 23°F, so before heading to our ice room for the night, we made our way to the cozy, warm lobby that’s reserved for guests staying in an ice hotel.
Each ice room comes with its own private, spacious locker room, and we were honestly so surprised by how much room there was to store all our stuff! Plus, there are outlets to charge your devices, which is super helpful since there aren’t any in the ice rooms themselves. Staying in an ice hotel definitely comes with its quirks, but these little touches make it so much easier.
There are also nice bathroom facilities with showers for both men and women. One helpful tip: if you plan to shower, it’s best to do so about two hours before bed to help regulate your body temperature.
When it comes to staying in an ice hotel, staying warm is all about preparation! The hotel provides these heavy-duty Arctic-grade sleeping bags designed to keep you cozy even in freezing temperatures. Before heading to the room, we were told to layer up with thermals, wool socks, and a beanie—basically, anything to keep the chill out.
When we finally made our way into the room, we climbed into the sleeping bags and wrapped ourselves up tightly. But honestly? I felt super claustrophobic, which really caught me off guard because I don’t usually struggle with that!
The snug fit was just a little too much for me. To make things even trickier, they ask you not to cover your face inside the sleeping bag to avoid losing heat. So while my body stayed warm, my face was freezing, which made it really uncomfortable to fall asleep. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had, but that’s all part of the unique adventure of staying in an ice hotel!
Now, here’s the important part: while the lobby is a short stroll from the IceHotel, there is a heated area with bathrooms, so if you need to use the restroom in the middle of the night, you’ll have to make your way out of your sleeping bag and through the icy hallway to get to the warm bathrooms.
So, my advice? Try not to drink too much water before bed! For a little extra comfort, you can also opt for one of the Deluxe Suites in Icehotel 365, which come with their own private bathrooms and showers—though, personally, I don’t think it’s worth the extra cost.
This is the classic IceHotel experience, built fresh every winter for the last 30+ years. If you’re visiting during the winter months and want the traditional, entirely snow-and-ice experience, this is for you. The ice rooms are the standard option, featuring beautiful ice décor, while the art suites are individually hand-carved masterpieces created by artists from around the world. Just a heads-up: there are no warm areas, bathrooms, or storage here. Privacy is kept simple with curtains instead of doors, making it truly authentic (and adventurous!).
This is the one we stayed in! And yes, you can even stay here in the summer! Cooled by solar energy, this hotel features exclusively designed suites made of snow and ice. The Deluxe Suites in IceHotel 365 come with their own private, warm bathrooms, including a shower and toilet. For those staying in the art suites, you’ll have access to shared heated facilities with lockable storage cabinets. Bonus: the rooms here have regular, lockable doors, which I didn’t even think to check when booking (oops!).
Now, here’s the fun part—did you know you can actually select the specific ice room or suite you want to stay in? I totally missed this when booking, but after visiting, here are some of the art suites I absolutely loved: TÉCKARA, SAUNA, and CRESCENTS. For the deluxe suites, my favorites were Dreaming in a Dream, The Breach, Raindrop Prelude, Mystery on the Ice Hotel Express, and Early Spring.
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