The 10 Best Ice Hotels in the World for a Cool & Romantic Stay
To travel is to remove oneself from routine comforts and embrace the new. What better way to do that than with a stay in one of the world's best ice hotels? The Arctic Circle countries (Sweden, Norway and Canada) are full of these interesting accommodations. Depending on the season, you'll also find some chilly domes in lower regions such as Austria, Japan and Romania.
For couples looking to splurge for an extra special anniversary or once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon treat, there's also a luxury camp in Antarctica. Whatever your choice, expect to snuggle up together in insulated sleeping bags, soothe frosty toes in a thermal hot spring, and chase the northern lights for the reward of hot cocoa. It's the kind of trip that brings an adventure like no other. We've plucked the 10 best ice hotels (and pods immersed in frozen surroundings) to check into for a unique and unforgettable romantic getaway.
The Knot's Top 10 Ice Hotels in the World
Experience the thrill of an ice hotel with your lover at one of these incredible spots, which span igloos, domes and even all-inclusive resorts.
Best Overall Ice Hotel: Icehotel, Sweden
Best Ice Hotel for a Destination Wedding: Hôtel de Glace, Canada
Best Ice Hotel for a Northern Lights Viewing Experience: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
Best Ice Hotel for Activities: Schneedorf, Austria
Best Ice Hotel for Local Food and Drinks: Iglu-Dorf, Switzerland
Best Ice Hotel for Privacy: Ice Village Tomamu, Japan
Best Ice Hotel for Families: Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway
Best Ice Hotel for Good Value: Hotel of Ice, Romania
Best Ice Hotel Ice Bar: Snowhotel Kirkenes, Norway
The Most Lavish Experience: White Desert, Antarctica
Icehotel, Sweden
Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland is where the concept of ice hotels was first conceived: Icehotel was hand-sculpted here in 1989. The team sources natural ice from the Torne River, and artists from around the world custom design and build suites, making each room (and each year) completely unique. Come spring, these specialty suites will have melted, but the rest of the hotel remains open for business. Activities on site include cross-country skiing, ice-plunge baths, snowmobiling and sledding to view the northern lights.
Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Snowhotel Kirkenes, Norway
High up in northeastern Norway, Snowhotel Kirkenes offers a retreat in the wilderness. While there are a number of room options to choose from, only 20 are completely made of ice. Inside, they are equipped with thermal insulated mattresses surrounded by ice blocks (so in photos, it looks as if you're sleeping directly on them), and lit sculptures are dotted throughout your cavern. The hotel's ice bar is the star attraction, made by sculpture artists using more than 15 tons of lake ice from the wall down to the glass. Afterward, warm up in the restaurant, which serves local specialties like freshly caught king crab.
Sandnesdalen 14, 9910 Bjørnevatn, Norway
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Hotel of Ice, Romania
The beauty of Romania is that you can experience four very distinct seasons, and in winter, the country truly becomes a frozen wonderland. In the Făgăraș Mountains sits an ice hotel that's so remote it's only accessible by cable car. Blocks of ice are cut from Bâlea Lake to create the Hotel of Ice's igloos, and guests are kept warm overnight with insulted mattresses, thermal sleeping bags and reindeer fur. There's a shared lounge, terrace, restaurant and bar, and the hotel has convenient ski-to-door access.
Şaua Caprei Bâlea Lac, 117040 Cîrţişoara, Romania
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Hôtel de Glace, Canada
Couples keen on an adventure elopement might want to consider a getaway at Hôtel de Glace. The Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier hotel has its own chapel made completely out of ice. Wedding packages like The Fairy take care of specifics such as legal documents, music and photography, and you'll spend your first night together as a married couple in a themed suite with its own romantic fireplace. Just visiting and want to skip the sleeping on ice part?
2280 Boulevard Valcartier, Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Québec G0A 4S0, Canada
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Ice Village Tomamu, Japan
Hokkaido is Japan's most popular destination for skiing and snowboarding, and brew fans will be delighted to know its capital city, Sapporo, is the home of Sapporo beer. You'll have to be quick in snagging a reservation in the country's only ice hotel though—Ice Village Tomamu has just one room, and it's only open for six weeks per year (January to February). The domed structure is made of a single piece of ice and accommodates two lucky individuals, making it an intimate choice for honeymooners. Stay packages must be reserved months in advance and include access to an open-air hot spring and a delicious clam chowder dinner made with Tomamu milk from Farm Hoshino.
Nakatomamu, Shimukappu, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido 079-2204, Japan
Iglu-Dorf, Switzerland
Featuring powdery snow lit by beautiful daytime sunshine, Switzerland has ideal winter conditions for a romantic getaway. Iglu-Dorf's collection of snow hotels nestled among the Swiss Alps all feature enchanting snow art, chic sun terraces and igloo restaurants. If you love Swiss cheese, your stay can be laden with fromage—couples packages include a suite and all-you-can-eat cheese fondue, plus whirlpool and sauna use, a guided snowshoe trek, and breakfast. Fondue is, after all, a local specialty using delicious Swiss mountain cheese, and it's best accompanied with their homemade mulled wine.
Saanerslochgrat, 3776 Saanen, Switzerland
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
Finnish Lapland is a classic choice for catching the aurora borealis, and the best place to do it is in one of Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort's igloos. There are snow igloos that keep a cold constant indoor temperature (don't worry, your bed is much warmer), but we recommend checking into a glass igloo to see the northern lights. You'll lie back with your love on a warm bed to watch the most spectacular show in the skies—no need to brace the elements, unless you want to. The hotel offers a sleigh ride by reindeer for those who want to run with the dance. Wedding packages are also available.
Kiilopääntie 9, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland
4.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Schneedorf, Austria
Take a break from skiing and retreat up in the mountains at Schneedorf, an Austrian gem that's packed with activities for a memorable anniversary trip. Here, you can go night sledding or snowshoe hiking, tackle a rope course, take an igloo building class, or relax in the Aqua Dome thermal baths. And yes, there's also skiing, if you really can't put a pause on it. The hotel offers an all-inclusive option for couples: the Candlelight Night package, which includes an overnight stay, bubbly, cheese fondue, breakfast and a torchlight hike.
Dorfstrasse 7, Sautens 6432 Austria
4.0 Star Rating | Read Reviews
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway
Sorrisniva is the world's northernmost igloo hotel. It's also one of the largest, covering 2,500 square meters and using 250 tonnes of ice to construct a range of room options, from double rooms to spacious family suites. There's also an ice bar and ice chapel if you're thinking about eloping. The beds are notably different than in your average ice hotel, placing sleeping bags atop plush reindeer leather. Sorrisniva is open from December until April.
Sorrisniva 20, 9518 Alta, Norway
4.5 Star Rating | Read Reviews
White Desert, Antarctica
For an all-inclusive couples expedition, enlist the team at White Desert—that's if you have $98,000 (each!) to spare for their South Pole and Emperors tour. The cost includes travel, accommodation and seven to eight days worth of exploration. You'll sleep in luxury polar pods in a camp perched on the shores of a freshwater lake. The pods are heated, so this isn't an ice hotel per se, but the jaw-dropping glacial views from your bedroom are best enjoyed in comfort. (For ever so slightly cheaper Antarctica trips, consider relying on a travel advisor for a bespoke itinerary or taking an Antarctica cruise —Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have options for less than $2,000 per person without flights.)