For those who dream of winter wonderlands, these snow hotels transform sub-zero stays into artful escapes. Imagine sipping Champagne in a glacial bar, sleeping under a glass dome as the Aurora dances overhead, or thawing in a cedarwood sauna after a husky-led expedition.
Far from ordinary, these hotels transform frost into fantasy, proving that the coldest corners of the globe hold the warmest memories. From sipping cloudberry cocktails in ice-carved bars to sleeping under the Northern Lights in glass-domed sanctuaries, these retreats redefine cold-weather luxury.
Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
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The world’s first and most iconic ice hotel, Icehotel is reborn each year using 1,000 tonnes of ice harvested from the Torne River. Its 20 art suites, each sculpted by global artists, range from minimalist ice chambers to fantastical frozen forests. By day, warm up in the riverside sauna village, where birchwood-smoked heat soothes muscles after dog-sledding expeditions. By night, don a thermal sleeping bag in a “cold room” (-5°C) adorned with reindeer hides, or retreat to a heated suite with underfloor heating. Don’t miss the Icebar, where vodka is served in glasses made of ice, and the Northern Lights dance overhead from December to March.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
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Nestled in Finnish Lapland, this resort is a front-row seat to the Aurora Borealis. Its signature heated and fog-resistant glass igloos offer uninterrupted celestial views from king-sized beds draped in faux-fur throws. For tradition, book a log cabin with a private sauna and crackling fireplace. Dine at the Snow Restaurant, the world’s largest, where reindeer carpaccio is served on ice plates under vaulted snow ceilings. By day, meet Santa’s reindeer or embark on a snowmobile safari to the Urho Kekkonen National Park.
kakslauttanen.fi, @kakslauttanen_arctic_resort
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Norway
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Carved anew each winter 200km north of the Arctic Circle, Sorrisniva’s ice suites feature intricate carvings of Norse mythology. Warm up in the outdoor hot tub beneath starry skies or brave the Snow Sauna, where steam rises into -20°C air. The Aurora Bar serves blue-hued cocktails in ice glasses, while the ice chapel hosts polar weddings under shimmering chandeliers. By day, join a husky safari or fish for king crab through ice holes where guides will prepare your catch as sashimi on the spot.
Hôtel de Glace, Quebec, Canada
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North America’s only snow hotel, just 20 minutes from Quebec City, dazzles with themed suites like Arctic Refuge (polar bear ice sculptures) and Enchanted Forest (glowing tree installations). Slide between floors via ice slides, then unwind in the Nordic Spa, where cedar barrels and eucalyptus steam baths overlook snow-dusted forests. At the Absolute Ice Bar, sip maple-infused whisky from ice goblets while artists carve frozen masterpieces. Pro tip: Book a “hotel only” day pass to explore without braving a frigid overnight stay.
Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos, Finland
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A short drive from Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village, this hybrid retreat offers both snow suites and heated glass igloos. The Ice Restaurant plates up reindeer tartare and smoked salmon on ice-carved tables, while the Snow Sauna lets you sweat at -20°C before plunging into a roll-top ice bath. Opt for the Glass Igloo Suite with a private sauna and skylight for Aurora viewing, or the Snow Suite where ice art glows under UV lights. Morning activities include ice-fishing on frozen lakes or feeding rescued huskies.
arcticsnowhotel.fi, @arcticsnowhotel
Kirkenes Snow hotel, Norway
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Built from fjord ice near the Russian border, Kirkenes blends Sami culture with frosty luxury. Sleep in a snow hotel suite lined with reindeer pelts, or opt for a heated Gamme cabin with a wood-burning stove. The Ice Bar stocks 200 vodkas – try the lingonberry-infused variant – and the restaurant serves moose stew in cast-iron pots. By day, meet the resident king crabs (then eat them grilled), or chase the Northern Lights in a snowmobile convoy. Don’t miss the “Aurora Alarm,” which wakes guests when the lights appear.
snowhotelkirkenes.com, @snowhotelkirkenes
Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat, Greenland
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Perched above the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, this 4-star hotel offers igloos with heated floors and floor-to-ceiling windows for Aurora viewing. Dine at the Icefjord Restaurant on muskox burgers and Arctic char while icebergs drift past. The Ulo Bar serves Greenlandic coffee flambéed with local whiskey, best enjoyed beside fire pits on the terrace. By day, hike the Sermermiut Valley or take a helicopter tour over glaciers. In winter, dogsled to nearby Inuit villages under the midnight moonlight.
Treehotel’s 7th Room, Sweden
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While not a snow hotel, this Harads treetop cabin pairs with nearby Icehotel 365 for a dual Arctic experience. The 7th Room floats 10m above ground, with a rooftop net for Northern Lights gazing and floor windows that project forest wildlife footage. At Icehotel 365, open year-round, sip lingonberry cocktails in the ice bar and attend -5°C sauna sessions under the midnight sun. Design buffs will love the collaboration with architects like Snøhetta, blending Scandinavian minimalism with icy whimsy.
