Everything you need to know about The Icehotel, Jukkasjǟ¶Ïrvi, Sweden

Anyone looking for a truly unique holiday experience should consider booking a room or suite in Swedish Lapland’s famous Icehotel. The first (and largest) of its kind, the Icehotel is located in a small village, Jukkasjǟ¶Ïrvi, in northern Sweden; approximately 200 km (124 miles) north of the Arctic Circle.

Created anew each year from approximately 1,000 tonnes of ice (torneǟ¶Ïlvsis) taken from the Torne River and approximately 30,000 tonnes of a snow/ ice mixture known as `snice` (added to strengthen the overall structure), the Icehotel is now in its 25th season.

Typically covering an area of approximately 5,500 square metres and featuring 60 rooms all based on the self-supporting and structurally safest classic oval arch form, each new version of the Icehotel is designed and fashioned in sections by around 100 different artists. Ice is harvested during March, April (stored in warehouses) and October, and building commences in November.

Open from December through into mid-April (which, by the way, is the best season for seeing the famous Northern Lights), when the hotel gradually begins to melt and return to the river, the 2013/14 season Icehotel features Snow or Ice rooms of varying designs; rooms inspired by the Mini car design (Mini Evolutions rooms); Deluxe, Art and Northern Light Suites.

For those who find average room temperatures of around 23 degrees Fahrenheit (-4.99 degrees Celsius) a little to cold for comfort, warm accommodation in the shape of wood-panelled, two-bedroom Hotellstuga Arctic or Kaamos suites and two-bedroom Nordic Hotel Cottages, as well as the Wilderness Camp (Camp Vǟ¶Ïkkǟ¶Ïrǟ¶Ï), which features two-bedroom, cabin-like accommodation within the wilderness of Lapland, is available (these units are also available during the remainder of the year).

In addition to offering the opportunity to stay in a unique, once-in-a-lifetime hotel, the Icehotel also features an Ice Restaurant and an Ice Bar. It also offers an array of exciting seasonal activities, including dog sledding, snow-mobiling, rafting and zip-lining; ice sculpting, cross-country biking and space travel (see more here).

Prices

Depending on day, season and accommodation type, prices start at between £950 and £1125 per person for one night in cold (snow room) or two nights in warm (double or twin bedroom Scandinavian chalet) accommodation units. Bookings can be made directly through the hotel’s booking department or an array of world-wide travel agents.