The Ice Hotel ? Is an Ice Hotel the Ultimate in Cool Destinations?

The demand for a stay in an ice hotel has never been greater. The first hotel made of ice opened in Jukkasjarvi, a Lapland town in the north of Sweden, in1990. The Ice Hotel concept has gripped the world's imagination since then.

Sweden remains the world's main venue for buildings made of ice. By exploring Sweden you might expect to find ice galleries, ice restaurants and ice bars as well as the ice hotels. But Sweden is not alone - the other Scandinavian countries have launched their own versions of the Ice Hotel concept. Even Alaska and upstate Quebec in Canada have built an ice hotel in the last few years.

The real adventure of an ice hotel is in staying overnight but many visitors simply arrive for the day to dine in the restaurant or to drink in an Ice Bar. There is nothing quite so warming as a shot of pure vodka served from a glass made entirely of ice.

If your hands are not too numb at the time then you can "tie the knot" in the coolest manner imaginable. Ice hotel weddings have become so popular that the Scandinavian ice hotels can't keep up with the demand. The original ice hotel in Sweden is only in existence for around four months each year before it (quite literally) melts away to nothing but it's remarkably busy during its short season. Fifteen thousand guests stayed last year and this year's Ice Hotel has eighty-eight bedrooms - thirty of them specially decorated suites created by local ice artists.

All of the ice hotels offer daytime activities and excursions such as ice-carving classes, snowmobile excursions, reindeer rides and dog sledging. The original Ice Hotel in Sweden also has a four hundred-seat theatre where guests can enjoy rock music, opera and other theatrical performances in the evenings. You can purchase Ice Hotel souvenirs and merchandise in the Ice Hotel shop and the concept has spread beyond Sweden. The original Ice Hotel company now run two permanent Ice Bars where the cool citizens of Milan and Stockholm can gather for an evening of "chilling."

If you're planning a visit to an Ice Hotel then follow these top tips on how to sleep well when the temperature in your bedroom never rises above minus five degrees.

Try to take part in an evening activity so that you're already tired when you go to bed.

Avoid the obvious temptation and don't drink too much - getting up to the toilet in the middle of the night is not much fun when it's minus five degrees in your bedroom!

Do make sure that your sleeping bag fits you snugly and wear socks, thermal underwear and a woolly hat in bed. Sexy it ain't! But definitely essential to a comfortable night.

Whatever happens you're sure to have a unique experience and are not likely to quickly forget the night you spent in an Ice Hotel.

Gary Hill is a travel writer based near Edinburgh in Scotland. He thinks his own bedroom is more than cold enough at times but the Ice Hotel concept seems to attract many thousands each year!

You can read more about the ice hotel and how to book a stay on Gary's website. The website also contains great tips and ideas for planning all manner of ice hotel breaks. Let Europe fuel your vacation dreams - check it out today.

A companion website also focusses on ice hotel

In The News:

Apple recently notified a small number of iPhone customers in 92 countries that their phones may be under attack by mercenary spyware.
An artificial intelligence-powered home security system can fire paintballs and tear gas at trespassers. The camera identifies human faces and animals.
Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.
A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.
The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.
Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.
Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.
If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.
Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.
Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.
The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.
Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.
The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.
Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.
Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.
The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.
The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Home Away From Home on Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island's mild climate, slow pace, and beautifully forested... Read More

I am in a Snit

I am in my yearly snit. Now my wife would... Read More

A Look at Punta Cana Real Estate

Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More

The Maldives - A Destination Everyone Should Visit

Following the horrendous events on Boxing Day 2005 The Maldives... Read More

An Overview of the Gatlinburg Cabins

Originally founded in the early 1800s as White Oaks, Gatlinburg... Read More

A Fabulous Guide to Floridas Best Rentals: Condos for Rent, Rental Houses, and Rental Condos

A Fabulous Guide to Florida's Best Rentals: Condos for rent,... Read More

Vacation / Honeymoons 101 - Planning for Perfect Weather on Your Trip

Did you ever worry when traveling about the weather? Most... Read More

Choosing a Maui Condo Rental Agent

Choosing a condo in Maui is definitely a great investment.... Read More

French Property - Looking to take a holiday in France ?

Aquitaine with its 5 departments; Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyr?n?es-Atlantiques.Weather:... Read More

Benefits of Lake Tahoe Cabin Rentals

Lake Tahoe cabin complexes rangein size from small, six-unit, luxury... Read More

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More

Dare to Dream: The Vacation of a Lifetime In A Timeshare

What are your chances of getting the vacation of a... Read More

5 Tips To Spend The Most Luxurious Caribbean Vacation You Ever Dreamed Of!

Tip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa! ... Read More

Chiang Mai Guesthouses - What To Expect

No visit to Thailand is complete without visiting the city... Read More

The Cape Town Wine Route Wonders

Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates... Read More

Tips to Visit Valencia, a Lovely City of Spain

Valencia is the third city of Spain, by number of... Read More

The Lake Havasu RV Resort

Lake Havasu, Arizona has become a treasured destination for tourists,... Read More

Mindfulness and Retirement: Considering Brazil

I have a 17-year-old daughter who is finishing up a... Read More

Pigeon Forge Cabins

Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist... Read More

European Car Rental - Top Ten Tips for Europe Travel - Tip #4: Before You Go

Many people believe that the first thing you should do... Read More

Hotels In India

With India being a major world tourist in the world,... Read More

Orlando Vacation Accommodation - Unforgettable Accommodation

As a family, we have been visiting Orlando since 1998,... Read More

The Natural Beauty of Havasu Falls

Three major cascades at Havasu Creek create a landscape that... Read More

The Advantages of Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

Whether you've saved up for years for a fun family... Read More

Why Visit Magical Cape Town?

People often ask me why we keep returning year after... Read More