In the far north of Sweden, there is an accommodation that challenges the traditional idea of what a hotel can be. ICEHOTEL, considered the world’s first ice hotel, is built from ice and snow on the banks of the Torne River in Jukkasjärvi, about 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle.
The site has become one of the best-known tourist attractions in Swedish Lapland and a meeting point for architecture, art, and nature. Its rooms, hallways, and sculptures are made from ice taken from the river, while each season features new works created by artists from around the world.
The experience is also closely connected to some of the natural phenomena that characterize the region. During winter, visitors can admire the Northern Lights, while the summer months bring the opportunity to experience the Midnight Sun.
From an ice gallery to the first hotel of its kind: How ICEHOTEL was born in Sweden
The history of ICEHOTEL began in 1989, when Yngve Bergqvist, a Jukkasjärvi resident and the project’s founder, created an art gallery made of ice and snow on the banks of the Torne River. The space, initially known as Arctic Hall, was designed as an attraction focused on ice sculpture.
The concept changed when a group of visitors who were unable to find accommodation in the village asked whether they could spend the night inside the structure. Equipped with sleeping bags suitable for extremely low temperatures and instructions on how to sleep inside the building, the visitors accepted the challenge.
The guests were fascinated by the experience of spending the night inside an ice structure. That experience helped give rise to the concept that would later become ICEHOTEL. The following year, the ice structure was built again, beginning a tradition that continues today.
Since then, the hotel has evolved into a combination of accommodation and art exhibition. Each winter, new artists arrive in Jukkasjärvi to work with ice and create rooms and artworks that change from one season to the next.
A hotel that melts and returns to the river
One of the hotel’s most striking features is that its original seasonal structure is not designed to remain in place throughout the year. When spring arrives and temperatures rise, the ice begins to melt, and the water eventually returns to the Torne River, completing a natural cycle that has become part of the hotel’s identity.
Construction for each new edition begins with the extraction of large blocks of ice from the river. The blocks can weigh up to two tons and are stored under controlled conditions during the summer so they can be used later. In addition to ice, a mixture of snow and ice known as “snice” is used to build walls, ceilings, and other structures.
The construction process takes approximately six weeks. During that period, teams build the structures and prepare the spaces for artists to work on them. According to ICEHOTEL, around 150 artistic proposals are submitted for each season, with approximately 15 selected to become part of the new edition.
What is it like to sleep inside an ice room?
Spending the night in one of the cold rooms requires preparation that is different from staying at a conventional hotel. The indoor temperature is usually maintained between -5 and -8 degrees Celsius, while the beds are built on ice structures and covered with reindeer hides and thermal bedding.
Guests receive special sleeping bags designed to withstand extremely low temperatures. The setup is intended to keep guests comfortable despite the cold, while after waking, they can move to warmer areas and use facilities such as a sauna.
The hotel also has warm rooms for visitors who want to experience the surroundings and architecture without sleeping in below-freezing temperatures. The complex has around 120 rooms across its cold and warm sections, while ICEHOTEL 365 offers ice rooms that remain available throughout the year.
ICEHOTEL 365: Ice even during the summer
The desire to make the experience available throughout the year led to the creation of ICEHOTEL 365, which opened in 2016 and was presented as the world’s first permanent ice and snow hotel.
Unlike the seasonal structure, ICEHOTEL 365 uses a refrigeration system to preserve the ice even when outdoor temperatures rise. The complex includes art suites, an Icebar, and exhibition spaces. Some of the energy used to keep the facilities cold comes from solar panels.
The permanent section extended the tourist season associated with the concept and gave visitors the opportunity to experience ice rooms during the summer and fall. ICEHOTEL thus evolved from a seasonal structure that disappeared during the thaw into a destination that also has a section capable of preserving its frozen spaces year-round.
How much does it cost to stay at ICEHOTEL?
The price depends on the type of room, the season, and availability. As a historical reference, Forbes reported in 2016 that rates started at approximately US$350 per night for a seasonal ice room, while ICEHOTEL 365’s Art Suites started at around US$470 per night at the time.
These figures are historical rates and should not be interpreted as current prices. The actual cost of a stay can vary considerably depending on the date, room category, and services included. Because the accommodation can be in high demand and availability may be limited during certain seasons, Visit Sweden recommends booking well in advance.
Beyond the rooms, the complex offers additional experiences such as dog-sledding tours, snowmobile excursions, ice-sculpting activities, Northern Lights safaris, and fishing trips during the Midnight Sun.
ICEHOTEL also has a restaurant that uses local ingredients and offers a culinary concept connected to the Arctic surroundings. Ice is even incorporated into the presentation of some dishes and the tableware used at the establishment.
@missangievilla Welcome to one of the most unique hotels in the world at @icehotelsweden Would you spend the night here? #icehotelsweden ♬ original sound – AngieVilla
