The world’s first and most famous ice hotel, ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi has been rebuilt from scratch every winter since 1989, carved from ice harvested off the neighbouring Torne River. Its “Art Suites” are hand-sculpted by artists from around the world — each one a unique, one-winter-only creation you sleep inside on a bed of ice.
Why it made our list
There’s nothing else quite like it: walls, furniture, and bed all made of ice, kept at around −5°C while you sleep warm in a thermal sleeping bag and reindeer hides. It sits 200 km north of the Arctic Circle near Kiruna — prime aurora borealis country — and the year-round ICEHOTEL 365 wing means you can even experience it in summer.
What guests say
Reviews are enthusiastic but come with a clear reality check:
- The art suites and the sheer novelty of sleeping in ice are the highlights — genuinely unforgettable.
- Guests praise the warming lounge, the ice bar, and the aurora borealis setting.
- The honest cautions are exactly what you’d expect: it’s cold (that’s the point), rooms are basic by design, and shared warm bathrooms mean it’s an experience, not a spa. It’s also pricey for one night.
The consensus: book one night for the experience (many pair it with a warm cabin the next night) and go in with the right expectations.
Good to know
- Price: from around $340/night; hand-carved art suites run much higher (~$830), summer rates far lower.
- Season: the ice hotel is winter (roughly Dec–April); ICEHOTEL 365 runs year-round.
- Getting there: short transfer from Kiruna Airport.
- Suits: bucket-list travellers, aurora borealis chasers, anyone after a genuine one-of-a-kind night.
Details verified against the resort’s booking page at time of writing. Prices are indicative and change — confirm current rates and availability before booking.