Icehotel

How do they build the ICEHOTEL? When the ice on the Torne River is frozen solid and at its thickest, it is harvested by the engineers at the ICEHOTEL and stored until the following November when it is used as a building and artistic material. Thousands of tons of pure, crystal clear ice are harvested each year. In addition to the tonnes of harvested ice, the engineers create a building material called ‘snice’, a mixture of snow and ice. This material is used to create the shape and structure of the ICEHOTEL and is left to set on giant vaulted moulds until solid. Once set the moulds are removed.

A mixture of snow and ice is then used to create the bed frames, bedroom furniture, ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL, the Ice Chapel and the accompanying sculptures. The aim is to use only snow and ice in the building of the hotel. 

Since 2016 the ICEHOTEL has offered a 365 day concept, a permanent hotel structure offering guests the chance to experience a night on ice year-round.

How do I reach the ICEHOTEL? The closest airport to the ICEHOTEL is located 15km away on the outskirts of the town of Kiruna. Flights from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Manchester operate via Stockholm. It is also possible to reach the ICEHOTEL by taking the train to Kiruna (connections from Stockholm, Lulea, Bjorkliden and Narvik). 

How am I transferred from the airport/train station to the ICEHOTEL? A transfer is included for all Sunvil guests. We can also offer a transfer by dog sled from Kiruna Airport, for those guests wishing for an exhilarating start to their holiday.

What is the temperature inside the ICEHOTEL? The temperature inside the ICEHOTEL is maintained between -5°C and -7°C. Due to the structure of the building, this temperature does not fall even when the conditions outside are much cooler. 

What will my room be like? There are four categories of room; Ice Rooms, Art Suites, Art Suites (ICEHOTEL 365) and Deluxe Suites (ICEHOTEL 365). Whilst the Ice Rooms are simply styled, the Suites are ornate and individually designed and sculpted. Within each room is a bed frame made from ice and topped with a mattress and reindeer skins for insulation. The door to the room is a curtain (except in the ICEHOTEL 365 building where there is a door).

How many people can sleep in my room? Within the cold rooms there is only ever one bed constructed. These beds vary in size but whether one guest is sleeping in the room or four guests, it is one bed and one mattress that is shared. Most rooms can accommodate two people. Some Art Suites will sleep a maximum of three people and some Ice Rooms will accommodate up to four guests.

Because the rooms in the Original ICEHOTEL do not have doors, will I hear noise from other guests? Rarely. From our experience the only noise you might hear is from guests walking to/from their rooms and chatting in the corridor. The walls of the ICEHOTEL are over a metre thick and block any other sound.

How many nights should I sleep in the ICEHOTEL? We would recommend that you only spend 1-night sleeping within the ICEHOTEL structure. Most guests will then combine this overnight experience with two or three nights in a warm room or with a stay at a nearby resort (Kiruna, Björkliden, the Treehotel and Luleå to name a few of the options available). 

Where are the toilets and where do I leave my luggage? Guests staying in the original ICEHOTEL and in the Art Suites of the ICEHOTEL 365 building have shared heated washrooms (toilet, shower, sauna, changing rooms and lockers) in an annexe building which is the cold accommodation reception (staffed and open 24 hours).  There are also toilet facilities within the ICEHOTEL 365 building for guests staying in an Art Suite 365. Guests staying in the Deluxe Suites (ICEHOTEL 365) have a private heated relaxation area with a sauna (except Deluxe Suite Johka) and en-suite bathroom with shower.  Guests staying in an Ice Room will be provided with a locker and guests staying in an Art Suite will be provided with a cubicle.  The changing rooms, sauna and showers are communal for women and men respectively.

How old do you have to be to sleep in the ICEHOTEL? Whilst the ICEHOTEL does not have a minimum age restriction we would not recommend this experience to children under 6yrs old.

Do I have to sleep in the ICEHOTEL? Of course not! The ICEHOTEL offers a range of warm hotel bedrooms too, a stone’s throw from the cold structure. 

If I do not choose to sleep in the ICEHOTEL will I still be able to see the rooms? Yes, the ICEHOTEL is an art exhibition during the day from 10am until 6pm.  Guests staying only in warm accommodation will be able to visit the cold accommodation, free of charge, during this time. Guests staying in cold accommodation are permitted access to their room after 6pm.  

Can I book a night in cold accommodation but also keep the warm accommodation for the duration of my stay? Although the temperature inside the cold accommodation will be warmer than outside, here at Sunvil we understand the uncertainty that some may feel at spending a whole night in a temperature between -5°C and -7°C, therefore if preferred it would be possible to book warm accommodation and cold accommodation for the same night.

What time can I check into my room and what time do I need to check out? Warm Accommodation: Check-in time is 3pm. Check-out time is 11am.  Cold Accommodation: Room access from 6pm. Check-out time is 11am.

What other facilities are there at the ICEHOTEL? In addition to the original ICEHOTEL, the ICEHOTEL 365 and two reception areas, there is also the ICEBAR by ICEHOTEL, an Ice Church, a small shop in the main (warm accommodation) reception area, warm hotel rooms and chalets, an Ice cinema, a warm bar (serving snacks and drinks) and a restaurant. There is another restaurant c.10-15 minutes away.

Does the ICEHOTEL provide winter clothing? Yes. Upon check-in all guests are provided with snow boots, a thick thermal overall, mittens, a balaclava and a hat. This is for your use throughout the whole of your stay. 

What winter clothing should I pack?

Dress in layers so you can adjust your clothing to the changing temperatures. Although you will be provided with outer winter clothing upon arrival, you many consider packing the following:

Base Layer:

• Thermal underwear (long johns and long-sleeved top) made of wool, silk, or polyester.
• Merino wool socks (several pairs)

Mid-Layer:

• Fleece sweaters (thin and thick)
• Loose-fitting walking trousers or joggers
• Scarf or neck warmer
• Woollen or fleece hat

Outer Layer:

• Winter jacket (down or ski jacket)
• Ski or over trousers
• Waterproof gloves or mittens (provided by the ICEHOTEL)
• Balaclava (optional but highly recommended)
• Footwear:
• Warm snow boots (provided by ICEHOTEL)
• Thick wool socks

Will I be able to see the Northern Lights from the ICEHOTEL? The ICEHOTEL is located within the town of Jukkasjarvi, approximately 200km north of the Arctic Circle.  As long as the Northern Lights are putting on a good display and weather conditions are clear it would be possible to get a sighting from the grounds surrounding the ICEHOTEL.

Will the ICEHOTEL wake me up in the middle of the night if the northern lights are showing? Unfortunately there is no northern lights wake up call in place at the ICEHOTEL. 

Can I book excursions locally or should I book them in advance? There is a dedicated activity/excursion desk in the main reception of the ICEHOTEL and here you will be able to book excursions locally, however these will be subject to availability. To avoid disappointment locally we would strongly recommend booking in advance.

Can I use my credit card at the ICEHOTEL? Both VISA and MasterCard are accepted by the hotel.  Please note that the ICEHOTEL is cash free in all areas except for the main reception.

How do I sleep in sub-zero conditions? Staying at the ICEHOTEL is an experience and whilst some guests will find that they have had a full night’s sleep, others will find that – although relaxed - the excitement and cool temperatures disturbed their rest. Every evening the ICEHOTEL runs a short course for guests undertaking a night in below zero conditions. The course covers everything from what to wear and how to use your sleeping bag to what to take into the room. In the morning, you are awakened (at your specified time) by a member of staff and offered a warming lingonberry juice. Then head to the sauna before enjoying breakfast at the ICEHOTEL restaurant. 

What equipment does the ICEHOTEL provide? Each guest is provided with a thermal sleeping bag – designed to withstand such cold temperatures, a sleeping bag liner and a pillow. 

What do I wear to sleep in? Less is more as the sleeping bag uses the heat generated from your body to warm you, and keep you warm. When you wear layers, your body heat will not reach the sleeping bag and therefore cannot be used. It is recommended that you wear thermal base layers (long johns and a long sleeve top), a mid-layer jumper, woollen socks and a hat. Some guests will also choose to wear a snood (neck scarf) and/or gloves.

Are there electric sockets in the cold accommodation rooms? There are no electric sockets to charge your phone inside the cold room.  Electric sockets can be found in the warm reception area and in the cubicles for those staying in an Art Suite.

How does it work when changing between cold accommodation and warm accommodation? There is about a 6-7 hour wait between checking out of one room and checking in to the next room and Sunvil therefore strongly recommends that you plan an excursion during this time.