A great vacation is not always about the destination alone—often, travelers choose their getaways solely based on the uniqueness of their accommodations. Whether it be luxe amenities, unforgettable locations, or simply a trademark feature that’s distinctive and unique, choosing a signature spot to set up camp while traveling inevitably takes any vacay to the next level.

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And what could be more memorable than staying in a hotel made of ice and snow? True, many vacationers choose tropical locales as the sites for their getaways (especially during cold winter temps); but there is a certain allure that can be found amid snowy, peaceful landscapes where the accommodations are one-of-a-kind destinations all their own. Usually rebuilt every year (depending on location), these hotels made from the elements are the perfect way to have an unforgettable vacation—a true winter wonderland retreat in places that are cooler than cool (literally!)

Note: Visitors should be sure to plan ahead and consult the hotels’ websites for packing suggestions before making reservations; advanced preparation is often needed as the properties are kept at below-freezing temps.

Be Cool In Canada

One of the most famous ice hotels in the world, the Hôtel de Glace is located outside of Quebec City in the Valcartier Holiday Village—and has the distinction of being the only hotel made of ice in all of North America. For over 20 years, the resort has been transforming itself every winter so no stay is exactly the same—making for a uniquely magical experience amid its themed rooms and suites. So whether it’s an intimate igloo or a themed room filled with dramatic ice sculptures; or a premium suite with all the best amenities, guests will be sure to have a uniquely fun overnight experience among the snow and ice.

  • Address: 2280 Valcartier Boulevard, Valcartier, Quebec G0A 4S0
  • Contact: 1-888-384-5524
  • Rates: $399 and up/night
  • Available Amenities: A room at Hôtel Valcartier (access to a shower, etc.); access to Nordic area with spas and sauna under the stars; fireplace, private sauna, and spa available in deluxe premium suites; access to skating trail; access to a sleeping bag, insulating sheet, and pillow
  • Things To Do: Visit the nearby Bora Indoor Water Park; snow slide, skate, snow raft, and more at the Winter Games Center; Relax at the Aroma Spa

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An Iceland Ice Hotel

Situated in the small town of Jukkasjärvi in Swedish Lapland the ICEHOTEL is open 365 days/year thanks to its rugged location just a mere 125 miles north of the Arctic Circle. This Swedish landmark is the first permanent hotel built of snow and ice and offers visitors a truly unique Arctic adventure. In addition to the ICEHOTEL 365, visitors can also stay in a room that’s truly one-of-a-kind in the ICEHOTEL winter, the hotel’s seasonal (December through April) offering where the rooms are rebuilt every year—here, guests can stay in wondrous suites designed by artists from all over the world--which are then left to melt until the following season, when they are rebuilt once again.

  • Address: Marknadsvägen 63, 981 91 Jukkasjärvi, Sweden
  • Contact: +46 980 668 00
  • Rates: $214 and up/night
  • Available Amenities: Breakfast, private changing cubicle, and storage (for Icehotel winter); thermal sleeping bag and reindeer hides; private warm bathroom, shower, and sauna (Icehotel 365 deluxe suites); world’s first permanent Icebar; access to traditional hotel rooms or chalets; the Icehotel Restaurant; the Icehotel Lounge
  • Things To Do: Have dinner at The Old Homestead; visit the art exhibitions at the Icehotel; fish, hike, paddleboard in the summer; see the Northern Lights in fall and winter; learn ice sculpting; visit the Challenge Park in the Lapish jungle

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Norway’s Snow Hotel Extraordinaire

Located in Northern Norway, Snowhotel Kirkenes is open 365 days/year and is more than just an accommodation—it’s a total Arctic adventure, complete with activities and an option to stay in the only snow hotel in the country. For those who want to mix it up, Kirkenes also has luxe Gamme cabins—these Northern Lights cabins are inspired by traditional hunting and fishing huts and are a great way to experience the area’s surrounding beauty.

  • Address: Sandnesdalen 14, 9910 Bjørnevatn, Norway
  • Contact: (+ 47) 78 97 05 40
  • Rates: $700 and up/night; several packages are available
  • Available Amenities: Breakfast and three-course dinner at Låven, the farmhouse restaurant; sauna; snowshoes and skis to borrow (winter); bikes to borrow (summer); access to reindeer, husky, and puppy farms; transfer from airport to hotel (winter); sleeping bag (snow hotel); access to the warm lounge and showers/restrooms/wardrobe (snow hotel)
  • Things To Do: Take a snowmobile tour; see the Northern Lights; go ice fishing or snowshoeing; head to the Snowhotel 365 Winter Park; take a husky tour or King Crab Safari (activities cost extra and can be booked in advance)

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A High-Altitude Romanian Retreat

Located in the heart of the Făgăraș Mountains in Romania is the Hotel of Ice. Rebuilt every year since 2005, the hotel is newly constructed annually using snow and ice blocks extracted from the nearby glacial lake, Bâlea Lac (Bâlea Lake). Hand-carved blocks (some weighing almost 70 pounds!) are shaped and crafted by local artists to create a singular and dynamic experience that’s both magical and coolly beautiful.

  • Address: Strada Zapezi nr. 1 Transfăgărășan, jud. Sibiu, Romania
  • Contact: +40 726 234 417
  • Rates: $113 and up/night for ice hotel; $90 and up for rooms at Bâlea Lake Chalet
  • Available Amenities: Comfy pillows, furs, and multi-layer thermal blankets; luggage tray; a lamp with a breaker (double rooms); igloos are connected and are ideal for families; hotel restaurant and bar serving Transylvanian cuisine; the Church of Ice; optional rooms at Bâlea Lake Chalet
  • Things To Do: Visit the nearby Winter Park and snowmobile, tube; ice climb, off-piste ski, and more; have dinner (starters and desserts served on ice plates); hike around Bâlea Lake and visit the Bâlea Waterfall; take in the scenic views from over 6,500-feet in the Făgăraș Mountains

For adventurous travelers looking for unique accommodations, hotels made of snow and ice are some of the coolest spots to spend a vacation. Not for the faint of heart, these sub-freezing spots nevertheless offer the chance to stay somewhere truly special: cooler than cool places that are so much more than lodgings, they are truly memorable and frigid forays into some of the most distinctive digs on the planet.

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