Will I sleep well in the Ice Hotel?

You will be surprised. Most people go into a very deep sleep and the hotel will give you guidance and tips on what to wear and how to stay comfortable to get the most out of your experience.

Who do I speak to at your office?

Our small, awards-winning team are all trained on the Ice Hotel in Sweden and have been selling it for many years. We are lucky to have members of the team who have visited for themselves and so if you do want to speak to someone who has been just ask!

Where is the Ice Hotel and how do I get there?

Sweden’s famous Ice Hotel is located on the banks of the Torne River 200 km north of the Arctic Circle near the little village of Jukkasjärvi.  The Ice Hotel is just 12 km from Kiruna airport and 17 km from Kiruna train station.  We can offer flights from the UK via Stockholm from London. Flights from other regional airlines may be available but may involve more changes.  On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Ice Hotel from Kiruna airport.

Where do I keep my luggage when I sleep in the Ice Hotel?

When you sleep in the cold accommodation at the Ice Hotel, you cannot take any luggage into the room with you. Your luggage may be left in secure luggage compartments when you sleep in the Ice Hotel, where there are lockers. Your warm and cosy sleeping bag is collected in a warm facility (we refer to this as the ‘Club house’, where you also change clothes.

When does the Ice Hotel close?

The seasonable building made of ice at the Ice Hotel closes around the end of April.  If you want to take part in the winter activities we recommend visiting between December and the end of March. There is also now a year-round  Ice Hotel 365 building enabling you to sleep on Ice at anytime of the year. Activities/excursions vary throughout the year and we can advise accordingly. If you want to enjoy the snow based trips such as husky dog sled and snowmobile excursions we advise visiting during the main winter season.

When does Sweden’s Ice Hotel open for the winter?

The Ice Hotel’s seasonal ice building opens around the middle of December. Construction continues though December until the New Year, weather dependent. It is open until early Spring. The new Ice Hotel 365 building is open year-round meaning you can sleep in one of the special rooms made of ice even in the summer! Activities and excursions vary throughout the year and we can advise you accordingly.

When do I have to pay and how can I pay?

This can vary depending on your departure date and we will discuss this in more detail when booking with us. As a general rule, we usually take a deposit at the time of booking and you will pay your final bill closer to departure, unless your departure is imminent, and then we may require full payment at the time of booking.

What forms of payment can I use at the Ice Hotel?

The Ice Hotel, and much of Sweden is cashless as cards are widely accepted. We suggest you check your card processing fees with your bank before you travel.

What kind of clothes should I bring?

Once you have booked with us we will send you a copy of our exclusive ‘Ice Hotel Dossier’ written by our resident Ice Hotel expert.  This includes details of what to take with you and what to expect when you are there.  The Ice Hotel will provide warm outer clothing to all guests but you will also need to organise other warm clothing and we can advise you what’s best. As a general rule, you do not need to invest heavily in any special winter clothing so do not worry about this as an additional expense.

What if something goes wrong?

We will provide you with a 24 hour emergency helpline should you require any assistance. As a small, award-winning company we will be with you every step of the way and also offer a WhatsApp service too!

What do I need to book?

We will require all names of the passengers as per your passports along with a lead passengers address, phone number (including mobile for emergencies).  We will also require your passport details but this can be taken care of a later date.  We will also require a form of payment and time for us to run through all of the details with you. We also like to know if you are celebrating any special occasions or have special requests such as dietary requirements.

What are the toilet facilities at the Ice Hotel?

There are (believe it or not) warm, ordinary toilets at the Ice Hotel. These are in a small house which is incorporated into the Ice Hotel construction so you can step directly through a door from the Ice Hotel into the warm and comfortable ladies’ and gents’ rooms.  There are also en-suite facilities in the Deluxe Suites in the ICEHOTEL 365. All warm accommodation comes with en-suite bathrooms.

Is the restaurant made of ice?

We are affraid not – guests are thawed during meals!  In the village of Jukkasjärvi where the hotel is based there are two restaurants: the Ice Hotel Restaurant is over the road from the Ice Hotel and serves Laplandic Gourmet food, on plates of ice from the Torne River if you wish. The second restaurant, The Old Homestead Restaurant, offers and experience of Tornedalen and Sami Culture.  Our Ice Hotel experts have eaten in both restaurants and can offer advice on what to expect when you have booked with us to the Ice Hotel in Sweden.

Is the hotel always the same each winter?

New artists work on the Ice Hotel each year to create different themes and architecture. As you may have seen from the photographs the designs are amazing and you can spend a long time to explore the many rooms and creations.

Is my holiday financially protected?

Yes. All of the holidays we arrange to the Ice Hotel in Sweden are covered by your tour operators ATOL license for your financial protection and our ABTA license.  Each holiday is tailor made by our awards-winning travel experts for each client. The full details of who is operating your holiday to the Ice Hotel will be provided to you at the time of booking along with your ATOL certificate. IceHotels.co.uk is a trading name of RB Collection Ltd, we have been in the travel industry for nearly 40 years and our family have been in the travel trade since 1936 and so you are in good hands.  We are members of ABTA (79652) as well as AITO Specialist Travel Agents.  We highly recommend you take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking your holiday, please ensure this covers you for the activities you plan to undertake and enough cancellation cover for the cost of your trip.

How many nights do most people stay for?

There are also ‘warm’ accommodations at Sweden’s Ice Hotel and with an array of exciting activities on offer we recommend at least three nights, one of these sleeping in ice.  Our Ice Hotel experts are on hand to offer first hand knowledge and independent advice on what would be best for you based on your interests and requirements.

How dark is it in winter?

This can vary depending in the time of year.  The snow reflects as much light as there is.  It is the perfect place for star-gazing or seeking out the Northern Lights as there is very little light pollution. The sun tends to return one week into January where there is one more hour of daylight each day and each week until the midnight sun at the end of May.

How big is the Ice Hotel?

There are now two sections to Sweden’s Ice Hotel. The original building made of ice varies in size from season to season as it has to be re-built every year after it melts in the spring.  The number of rooms to therefore vary a little but it does tend to span over 4,000 m2.  They have around 85 rooms of different designs and sizes. Invited artists decorate each suite, we highly recommend booking an Art Suite as a minimum.  The new year-round building (ICEHOTEL 365) is home to a selection of Art Suites and Deluxe Suites 365 rooms.

Do you offer a gift list service?

Yes – we do this all the time for wedding couples of example and it is a great way to help pay for current or future holidays.  Do ask us for more details.

Do I need to book in advance?

Definitely. Peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Valentines, February half term, and most Fridays and Saturdays may be fully booked several months before the winter season starts, so if you wish to visit for a weekend, we do ask you to please contact us as far in advance as possible.  It is generally easier to book during the week and a reduced price can sometimes be offered for departures between Mondays and Wednesdays.  We can also take advance bookings for over 12 months in advance and so please do contact as early as you are considering visiting. 

Can I book holidays to the Ice Hotel as a surprise?

Absolutely!  It is a great surprise gift and have a number of clients every year who arrange surprise trips.  Please do ensure we are notified of this and we can communicate with you in your preferred method.

Are the bedrooms below zero temperature?

Yes!  The Ice Hotel bedrooms and communal areas are around -5 degrees Celsius.  If outdoor temperature falls below -30, then it may be -8 inside.

Who runs IceHotels.co.uk?

We are a trading name of RB Collection Ltd, an award-winning family owned and operated travel agency based in Lichfield, Staffordshire.  For more about our company and our award-winning team of travel experts click here.