These are the world’s best igloo hotels for an extra cool holiday
Live out your ice fantasy.
Maybe your dream vacation takes in the very best beaches of Thailand or Croatia. Or perhaps, you’re into snow holidays? If you love cooler climes then you need to book a stay at one of the world’s best igloo hotels ASAP. You’ll find ice, reindeer, ice, more ice, and maybe even the Northern Lights.
We’ve found the world’s best igloo hotels
1. Hotel De Glace | Canada
The only true ice hotel in North America, Hotel de Glace in Quebec, is like finding a slice of the famous Swedish ice hotel across the pond. Guests stay in a room made entirely from ice, right down to the beds. There are a number of room options, ranging from one and two bedrooms, up to themed suites with a fireplace, and access to the hot tubs and sauna, guests stay cosy inside thermally insulated sleeping bags.
Even those in the standard rooms are encouraged to use the hot tub before bedding down, although you may be distracted by the artwork, chapel, and Grand Hall carved from ice. Unsurprisingly, you can even enjoy a cocktail in the bar where the glasses are made from ice, but luckily the wide range of eateries – ten at the last count, are not covered in ice, and serve everything from barbecue to seafood.
Find out more about Hotel De Glace
2. Icehotel | Sweden
A list of best igloo hotels wouldn’t be complete without the world’s most famous ice hotel, on which the fictional ice hotel in James Bond’s Die Another Day was based. The hotel changes theme each year, voted for via an annual worldwide competition in which the winning artist gets to visit and help carve their vision into reality. The temporary winter rooms here are magnificent, from the twenty simple ice rooms, to the twelve incredible art suites, which are hand decorated with unique carvings. Previous years have seen life size ice-elephants, a Game of Thrones themed room, and giant sculptures of Greek gods.
Aside from your reindeer skins, guests have access to a communal bathroom and sauna, which is usually enjoyed before breakfast along with a complimentary lingonberry juice. The hotel also offers year-round ice rooms, kept frozen by solar energy – these are the most exclusive and come with private bathrooms. In the IceHotel restaurant you’ll find a buffet breakfast, and a Nordic themed lunch and dinner, which can also be served on ice. For a special occasion, book their unique outdoor wilderness dinner for the chance to enjoy a meal under the Northern Lights.
Learn more about Icehotel
3. Igloo Are | Sweden
Igloo Are sits in the true wilds of Sweden, which is the ideal place for an arctic hotel. The igloos are perched atop Mount Åreskutan, meaning guests will enjoy a panoramic view before settling into reindeer fur-covered beds. Before settling down for the night however, you’re welcomed inside with a warm drink, delicious dinner and the opportunity to warm up in the hot tub. Each igloo is small and intimate, built by hand each year on the slopes of the mountain, meaning they’re only reachable via ski lift.
Guests are recommended to bring warm clothing and slippers – the bathing facilities are in a separate building and igloos do not have running water. The hotel also doesn’t offer free WiFi, meaning this remote residence is an off-grid chance to switch off and unwind. For dinner and breakfast, the hotel’s central heated hut will have something for everyone, offering either a hearty goulash soup or a five-course dinner option which can be booked in advance and includes access to the outdoor spa.
Find out more about Igloo Are
4. Ice Village Tomamu | Japan
Even if Tomamu Ice Village wasn’t Japan’s only ice hotel, it would still take the crown for being the most spectacular. This exclusive frozen residence only sleeps two people per night – so the experience is truly unique. The high-ceilinged igloo is made from a single carefully carved piece of ice, with a sparkling ice bed in the centre covered by thick reindeer furs to keep you warm. The stay comes with an arctic outdoor bath, which despite its name is filled with water from the nearby hot springs. The amenities don’t stop there, as the wider resort is also open to day trippers, so guests can visit the onsite ice-rink, ice milk café – where you can try local milk in a bottle made from solid ice; a bar and terrace with panoramic views.
Don’t miss the ice ‘general store’ to pick up souvenirs made by local Hokkaido artists, or the ice atelier, where you can learn to carve your own ice glass, although you may not be able to take that particular souvenir home with you.
Discover Ice Village Tomamu
5. Borealis Basecamp | Alaska
Located in the wilderness, around 25 miles from Fairbanks, Alaska, lies Borealis, a self-proclaimed ‘basecamp’ which conjures thoughts of far-flung mountaineering adventures – and surrounded by the rugged landscape and untouched boreal forests, this is exactly what you’ll get. The igloos here are each made from clear fibreglass, allowing guests to admire the night sky and view outside from the comfort of their bed, with a cleverly designed section resembling snow for a little more privacy. Bathing facilities are in their own separate dome, complete with bath, shower, vanities, hairdryers and plenty of toiletries.
Alternatively, guests can stay in a more luxurious ‘cube’, decorated in Scandinavian style with floor to ceiling windows and king-sized beds, ideal for enjoying views of the Northern Lights. Also on site is a beverage bar serving hot drinks and Latitude 65, which is the camp’s onsite restaurant run by Chef Easter, who serves up local, sustainable Alaskan seafood inside a traditional wooden yurt.
Find out more about Borealis Basecamp
6. Aurora Queen Resort | Finland
Igloos aren’t just for Christmas, as this ultra-luxury family run hotel proves. Located in Finnish Lapland, guests sleep in spacious glass geometric igloos, with all the mod cons. Panoramic views of the night sky are combined with a comfy double bed, underfloor heating, and a rain show, in classic minimalist Scandi-style, with touches of marble and plenty of dark wood.
The hotel’s AQ restaurant serves fresh dishes made with local ingredients intended to warm you up after a day in the snow, or a better option might be to head to the Lounge Bar, where you can get cosy with a glass of wine. Come summer or winter, activities are the theme of the stay; choose from a reindeer or husky safari, snowmobile tour or aurora hunting, although the latter you might be lucky enough to glimpse from your room.
Discover more about Aurora Queen Resort
7. Kakslautannen Arctic Resort | Finland
Arguably the most famous (and Instagrammed) resort in Finland, Kakslautannen is instantly recognisable for its array of glass domed igloos littered across the forest which allow guests to witness the magic of the Northern Lights. Visitors have an abundance of room choices, from the classic glass igloos, to kelo-glass igloos which combine glass with a log cabin, and even log chalets and Sivakkas which can accommodate ten people. Guests can also book a snow igloo, to sleep at -40 inside a toasty sleeping bag. The igloos are undoubtedly the most popular, for either two or four people, including a spacious bed, bathroom and the best part: a Northern Lights alarm, which will go off even when you’re sleeping, to ensure you don’t miss anything.
The resort is prepared for all seasons, with safaris, ice fishing and skiing available in the winter, and foraging, horse riding, and sunset cruises during the rest of the year. There’s also the chance to visit Santa in his house, although advance appointments are required. Don’t miss visiting the traditional Finnish smoke saunas and ice house, which is said to be good for your health. After some relaxation, refuel in either the Kelo or West Village restaurant, which serve hearty Lappish cuisine such as roasts and soups.
Learn more about Kakslautannen
8. Iglu Dorf | Switzerland, Germany, and Austria
Combining majestic views of the Matterhorn with sub-zero accommodation, Iglu Dorf is one of the most popular, and luxurious, igloo hotels. There are six igloo villages scattered amongst the mountains, including at Zermatt and Gstaad, among others, with the entire hotel taking around 3000 hours to carve by hand. Igloos range from the classic igloo, literally built from rustic blocks of ice, to the intricately carved Romantic or Family Igloo suites. The villages are adorned with ice art created by international creatives, which you can explore on a night walk. Guests also receive a welcome drink, access to the sauna and whirlpool and a breakfast buffet.
Depending on which location you stay at, you can try your hand at snowshoeing or even learn how to build an igloo from scratch. At the igloo restaurant and snow bar, visitors are greeted by a high-ceilinged igloo decorated with detailed carvings, and cosy wooden tables complete with soft reindeer skins. Enjoy an aperitif, a steaming mug of mulled wine and an all-you-can-eat fondue made with local mountain cheese.
Find out more about Iglu Dorf
9. Schneedorf Igloos | Austria
Perched 2000 metres above sea level in Austria’s Tyrol mountain region, Schneedorf is Austria’s first igloo village, which is rebuilt every year and decorated with unique ice carvings. Although from the outside, the authentic igloos simply look like huge mounds of snow and ice, on the inside they are spacious and comfortable, with warm reindeer skins on large beds, plus sleeping bags to keep you extra warm.
Best of all, being in Austria, you’ll get a traditional dinner of hot fondue, plus mulled wine and a delicious breakfast buffet to prepare you for a day of hiking, tobogganing, or snowshoeing. For those who think this might be a little chilly, don’t worry – the toilets are heated, there’s a warm up room and thermal heated baths to enjoy, and if all else fails, head to the snow bar to warm yourself up with a strong drink.
Learn more about Schneedorf Igloos
10. Tromso Ice Domes | Norway
If you want to spot the Northern Lights, Tromso is one of our favourite places to go, and what better way to do it than in a luxury ice hotel. Tromso Ice Domes has both cabins and ice domes to stay in, with the domes being vast inside, with intricate carvings and reindeer skins. They are also surrounded by wilderness with views over the nearby hills, and the ice domes come with a full package of fun. You’ll get a tour of the domes’ rooms and sculptures, plus a shot at the ice bar (in a glass made of ice!), before being given warm clothing and boots for a snowshoe hike in the wilderness where you could see the aurora. Even if you’re not lucky, the hike ends around a campfire, before you get to enjoy a three-course dinner and a night in the suite.
The best part of the hotel is the choice of activities, such as husky or reindeer sledding or snowmobiling, which are followed by a traditional meal in a reindeer herder’s tent, making it a perfect mix of luxury stay and traditional Scandinavian experience.
Find out more about Tromso Ice Domes
11. Snowhotel Kirkenes | Norway
Another Norwegian winter gem, the Snow Hotel lays claim to being the first hotel in the world made of snow and ice. Much like Sorrisniva, this hotel in Kirkenes features individually designed rooms carved from ice, with intricately carved artwork, columns and furniture. For those not so keen on the cold, you can also book a Gamme cabin, which are made in classic wooden style, with a floor to ceiling window for admiring Arctic views and bathroom murals of the Northern Lights.
The ice rooms can be booked year-round, and include a cosy sleeping bag, breakfast and dinner, plus access to the cutest attraction, the reindeer and husky puppy farm. During the day, stay inside and enjoy a hot sauna, or head out into the wild for king crab fishing, snow yoga or a Sami experience with the locals. Guests can also rent snowshoes, skis and bicycles for getting around. In the large Gabba restaurant, which resembles a minimalist arctic lodge, the included menu offers dishes such as lightly grilled whale, king crab salad and homemade carrot soup.
Discover more about Snowhotel Kirkenes
12. Hotel of Ice | Romania
Romania is an unexpected contender for having one of the world’s best igloo hotels, however the aptly named Hotel of Ice located on the slopes of the Fagaras Mountains, gives Scandinavia a run for its money. The hotel is made from ice extracted from the nearby Balea Lake, which are carved over one month to create individual ice rooms, a bar and restaurant, and even a church.
Every room is a good-sized double, with a solid ice bed, animal skins and sleeping bags, although the decorations and theme change each year. After staying the night, you can book further nights in the warm rooms at Balea Lac Chalet. The stand out area is the hotel’s ice restaurant and bar, where even the food is served on plates made of ice. Enjoy a range of cocktails in frozen glasses, followed by traditional Transylvanian dishes such as candied duck and smoked plums, or lobster and trout soup.
Learn more about Hotel of Ice
13. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel | Norway
Scandinavians know how to do igloos, and Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway, popular for being the northernmost igloo hotel in the world, is a prime example. Located within Sorrisniva resort, the hotel features intricately carved artwork, interiors and architecture that changes each year. Rooms on offer include basic igloos and larger suites. Each has a unique design, including a solid bed made from ice, covered in a reindeer skin and thermal sleeping bag.
Guests are encouraged to partake in a sauna when morning rolls around, to get the blood pumping again after a night in the cold. In the morning, guests enjoy a gourmet breakfast before choosing activities for the day – you can go snowmobiling, snowshoe hiking, husky sledding or learn how to carve your own ice sculpture. Guests staying in the Igloo Hotel are served meals in Lavvu Restaurant, which serves traditional Norwegian food using ingredients such as reindeer, moose, Arctic salmon and local vegetables. Make sure to pair your meal with a glass of wine from their extensive cellar.
Learn more about Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
14. Bella Vista Mountain Refuge | Italy
With a name that means ‘beautiful view’ this hotel has set high expectations which it more than lives up to. This beautiful wooden lodge sits on the side of a mountain at 2845 metres, overlooking endless snowy peaks and designed in traditional chalet style. The hotel has both normal rooms and igloos, the latter are rustically carved into the snow and feature little more than a bed with skins and sleeping bags, but what more do you need?
It’s the experience that’s particularly special, with a hot drink on arrival, and a delectable four-course evening meal, plus a bottle of prosecco to round off the night and a huge breakfast buffet each morning. To stay cosy, the hotel also has an outdoor Finnish sauna and hot tub for ultimate relaxation while surrounded by alpine vistas.
Discover more about Bella Vista Mountain Refuge
15. Levin Iglut Golden Crown | Lapland, Finland
Lapland has igloos everywhere you look, but Levin Iglut Golden Crown’s igloos define the term igloo-luxe. You can opt for a Superior, Prime, or Suite igloo, and all have panoramic glass-panelled roofs, meaning at night you can see starry skies, or if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights. The epic suites also come with a big double bed covered in furs, lounge chairs, a private terrace, and an outdoor jacuzzi.
Aside from having the best view over the valley for catching the aurora, you’ll also be treated to breakfast, Moët on arrival and your own minibar. When you’re not relaxing in your luxury pod, Levin Iglut has a sauna, plus activities like snowmobiling, husky and reindeer rides, skiing, and aurora hunting. There’s also Restaurant Utsu, a traditional Scandinavian eatery in an even bigger glass igloo, which serves local produce like fish, meat, and berries from Lapland.
Discover more about Levin Iglut Golden Crown
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