Unique Ice Hotels: Torne River, Ice Lodge, Alta Igloo Hotel, Duchesnay Winter Resort And Mammut Snow Hotel

For some, just traveling to an exotic location is not good enough; they need to make the experience totally unique. For those willing to brave cold weather climates in the dead of winter there are several unique ice hotels that may suit just such travel needs. Staying at one of the unique ice hotels gives travelers the experience of living encapsulated in ice, a beautiful, stunning and cold experience. But choosing from the unique ice hotels is not easy.

The most famous of the unique ice hotels is probably the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden. Created in 1989, it was the first of the unique ice hotels. The Icehotel is formed every year from giant blocks of ice taken from the Torne River. Every year, the rooms and sitting spaces in the hotel are completely unique and designed by some of the best sculptors in the world. Even the bar's glasses are made entirely of Torne River ice. A stay at one of these unique ice hotels costs around $196 per night.

Ever since James Bond's romp through one in “Die Another Day,” unique ice hotels the world over have seen increasing interest. One of the most popular, the Ice Lodge in Bjorli, Norway is considered one of the biggest and best unique ice hotels in the world. There is plenty of hunting, fishing and skiing to keep visitors busy while they enjoy the Ice Lodge and its accommodations. The Ice Lodge differs from most unique ice hotels in that its season is a good deal longer due to its high altitude. Also in Norway, the Alta Igloo Hotel offers a unique and fun atmosphere. Every year, the Alta Igloo Hotel changes its overall look and theme to give guests a unique experience. It is close to many Norwegian hot spots including the Trolls Ladder and the Mardalsfossen waterfall.

United States travelers need not go overseas to experience unique ice hotels, however. Canada boasts one of the newest unique ice hotels, the Ice Hotel on the Duchesnay winter resort. Right out side of Quebec City, the Ice Hotel at Duchesnay winter resort features everything a traveler could want from art galleries to movie theaters to a sandwich shop with ice plates. If one can bear the -4C temperature inside the hotel for long enough to enjoy these amenities, of course. Sleeping arrangements are warm sleeping bags on top of simple mattresses and deer hide for insulation from the icy floors.

There are a number of unique ice hotels around the world from the famous Icehotel to the all snow Mammut Snow Hotel in the SnowCastle of Kemi in Sweden. Each offers an interesting and special experience, and a fun diversion from the standard tourist fare. Of course, unique ice hotels are not everyone's idea of a great vacation, but for those who love the cold, there is nothing more exciting than staying in a room made entirely of ice. Whether visiting one of the new unique ice hotels such as the ones in Romania and Quebec or one of the classics such as the Mammut Snow Hotel or the Kiruna, unique ice hotels are sure to please the cold minded traveler.


Sources:
"Ice Hotel." Wikipedia. 26 July 2007. 1 August 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hotel.

Whelan, Richard. "Duchesnay: Apries-Ski on the Rocks." Cross Country Skier. 2002. 1 August 2007. http://www.crosscountryskier.com/destinations_ice_ hotel_dec_2002.html.

"The Alta Igloo Hotel." Visit Norway. 2007. 1 August 2007. http://www.visitnorway.com/MWTemplates/QWFeature.a spx?id=175797.

"The Ice Lodge." Mighty Fine. 2007. 1 August 2007. http://www.ice-lodge.co.uk/The+Ice+Lodge.aspx.