Staying at these icy destinations is a truly ethereal experience, offering an environment and journey found nowhere else in the world. The accommodations themselves are monuments to architectural artistry: guests reside inside structures that are literally works of art.
The true magic lies in the light—the way it refracts through the ice and snow creates a stunning, crystalline atmosphere. This silent, glowing environment feels utterly magical, often described as stepping directly into a frozen fantasy or a real-life fairy tale.
For travelers seeking a winter experience that goes beyond scenic views, the world’s icy hotels offer something truly extraordinary — nights spent inside snow palaces, glass igloos, and frozen sanctuaries carved by artisans. These five glacial stays combine natural beauty, creative architecture, and pure cold weather magic.
Icehotel, Sweden — The Original Frozen Masterpiece
Known as a frozen icon since 1989, the Icehotel in Swedish Lapland rises each year as a temporary work of art. Every winter, the creators around the world gather in Kiruna, Jukkasjärvi, to build the Icehotel. Entirely sculpted from ice and snow, it features themed suites, crystalline corridors, and intricate frozen carvings created especially for this wintry time of the year. Guests sleep on ice beds nestled with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags — a surprisingly comfortable experience surrounded by shimmering frost.
A cool creative exploration begins! Fly to Sweden with Thai Airways!
Kirkenes Snowhotel, Norway — Arctic Calm and Northern Lights
Far in Norway’s Arctic wilderness lies Kirkenes Snowhotel, a peaceful escape framed by drifting snow, husky trails, and aurora filled skies. Experience the world’s only year-round hotel built entirely of snow and ice. A true winter wonderland, available every season. The rooms are crafted from snow blocks, glowing softly with blue white hues, while nearby Gamme Cabin inspired by traditional Sámi huts offer panoramic views of winter landscapes. Reindeer encounters, ice dining, and pure Arctic silence make it a serene retreat.
