IceHotel of Jukkasjarvi, Sweden: A Livable Ice Sculpture
A Magical Fantastical Hotel of Ice
If you are looking for a truly unique and romantic hotel for a fantasy honeymoon or vacation, look no further than the IceHotel of Sweden. Of course you will have to reserve your room well in advance and travel during the snowy months...but it will be totally worth it--guaranteed. In fact if you pay a visit the following year, the hotel will be different.
Totally different. That's because this hotel made of ice is built from the ground (or, well, ice) up each and every year. So when they say you'll have a once in a lifetime stay, they truly mean it!
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons by Laplandish
IceHotel History
How the Magic Began
In the spring of 1990, Jannot Derid (a French ice artist) created an exhibition housed within an igloo. It so happened that one night all of the local hotels were booked, so some of the guests to the exhibition asked if they could stay in the igloo hall of art. They slept in their sleeping bags which were placed on top of some reindeer skins.
These guest's quarters were very primitive compared to the IceHotel of today, but technically they can be considered the "hotel's" very first guests. Since that time every spring the IceHotel melts away into the Torne River, and late every autumn it is rebuilt.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons by user Stephan Herz
"Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together."
Verna M. Kelly
IceHotel's Yearly Build
Every Year Brings to Life a New Vision
Once the temperature drops down far enough (generally around the middle of November), the process of building starts. And the race against the elements is on once more. Huge steel forms are set up first. Then snow is sprayed directly onto those forms. Once the snow has frozen solid, the steel frame is removed. The result is a magical ice-bound structure of snowy hallways. Then the magic truly begins as the ice artists begin their creations.
The hotel of ice opens in stages. The very first stage opens around the beginning of December. Another stage opens at the rate of one per week until the beginning of the year, when the IceHotel is complete.
Once complete, the hotel's amenities include a church, reception hall, bar, main hall, and enough rooms and suites to house over 100 guests. Each room and/or suite is different, too. No one size fits all thinking here. And everything in the hotel, right down to the furniture and the glasses in the bar, is made of ice.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons by Laplandish
The IceHotel Church
The IceHotel in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden has the distinction of being the world's first hotel made of ice. Others have followed, but this one remains the largest. And just to show how wonderful it truly is...it's made the list of Sweden's Seven Wonders.
But just remember...it only exists from December to April.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons byAnghy
Create Your Own Ice Sculptures - For Weddings, Anniversaries, Birthdays and More!
Do you love the look of the incredibly awesome ice sculptures? Are you looking for an extra special centerpiece for your extra special event?
Now (in a very small way) you can bring the beauty of ice to your very special occassion. You don't even have to hire an expensive ice sculptor! Simply purchase a pre-made--and reusable!--mold and create your very own masterpiece of ice!
The IceBar
In 1994, the IceHotel partnered with Absolut Vodka to open the first Absolut IceBar. To my knowledge this is the only place that serves Vodka in the rocks versus on the rocks. Yup, the glasses are crafted from blocks of ice...
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons by user MRB
"Winter dies into the spring, to be born again in the autumn."
Marche Blumenberg
Each Year (and Every Room) Holds a Different Vision
The IceHotel's architecture changes with each year, and every room and suite is different. Ice Artists submit their creative ideas ahead of time and each year around 50 artists are selected to carve their dreams into ice.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons by user Stephan Herz
Hotels Made of Ice - Canada and the United States!
If Sweden is too far away for your fantasy hotel stay, maybe one of these hotels will work better for you. They are all made of ice...and all simply magical!
- Hotel de Glace
Hotel de Glace near Quebec City. - Aurora Ice Museum/Hotel
The only US Ice Hotel!
Sweden's Ice Hotel On Youtube
The second video is long...about 45 minutes and gives a really good overview of exactly how the hotel is built each year.
Beat the Heat: Bring a Little Ice Into Your Living Space - Icy Murals to Cool Any Room!
When it's hot outside, and a hotel made entirely of ice starts sounding like a really good idea, why not bring some cool artwork into your home? These murals and pictures of ice and snow will lend a chill to the hottest summer air.
The Banished Dragon Art Suite
I saved my very favorite room for last. The banished dragon art suite. I love the image of the curled dragon!
Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons by Laplandish
