Sleep at -5 ° C? This ice hotel in Sweden turns the cold into extreme art and luxury

In the northern end of Sweden, on the ban Jukkasjärvia small Sami town that seems to be arrested in time. Surrounded by snowy landscapes, birch forests and impressive serenity, this corner of Swedish Lapia keeps one of the best saved secrets of tourism and contemporary hotel design: the Icehotel.

This accommodation is not just a place to sleep, it is a work of art Ephemeral that every winter becomes new life. Completely sculpted on ice and snow, it is rebuilt year after year By artists and architects around the world that transform crystalline blocks of the same river into halls, domes and rooms that seem to exits a film.

Between northern lights, temperatures below zero and a silence that surrounds all rooms, sleeping there is an experience that Challenge the sensesmix luxury with Nordic minimalism and turns a night into a whole memory. Thus, more than a hotel, it is an aesthetic and cultural adventure in a place where nature and ice mark its rhythm. Do you dare to meet him?

Icehotel, a luxurious complex in Jukkasjärvi

From the hand of the Swedish artist Yngve Bergqvistwhat began as an exhibition of ice sculptures in the town of Jukkasjärvi back in 1989, was transformed, against all prognosis, in one of the most surprising accommodations on the planet.

With temperatures that in winter touch the -30 ° C and a sun that is hidden for entire weeks, it seemed a more prone to isolation than luxury tourism. But it was precisely that end of the world, which gave life to the first hotel completely built of ice and snow: the Icehotel.

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Each winter, the construction process begins in spring with the collection of ice blocks from the Torne river. These are stored in a production center and, in autumn, a team of artisans, designers and international sculptors works to sculpt the rooms, suites and common spaces of the hotel. A mission as poetic as defiant: build in Six weeksfrom scratch, a palace that will only exist for a few months.

For this, around 500 tons of ice and a mixture of compressed snow (known as “Snice”) equivalent to ten Olympic pools. The latter is used to mold rooms, domes, corridors, columns and even a chapel.

There are not two equal seasons: each edition is completely new, with unique themes in its artistic suites and a design that literally dissolves with the arrival of spring. Although it seems impossible, comfort is negotiable: the rooms have ice beds covered with thick skins and thermal sleeping bags to survive the interior temperature, which brushes the -5 ° C.

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In 2016, with the inauguration of Icehotel 365and thanks to a cooling technology that works with solar energy, part of the hotel can now remain open throughout the year. This permanent structure houses sculpted suites that do not melt, an ice art gallery and a frozen bar where cocktails are served in carved vessels. Everything, without losing its original magic.

In turn, the proposal is not limited to the room, but is an immersive experience. During the day, guests can participate in excursionsSledges thrown by dogs or motoners, ice sculpture courses, walks to observe northern lights or relax in a traditional Swedish sauna. At night, the restaurant offers dishes inspired by Nordic flavorssuch as alce meat, Arctic fish or desserts served on frozen dishes.

Sleeping there is an experience multisensorysince you have to dress with thermal layers, leave clothes in heated lockers and accept that luxury does not always come with huge white and pillows. In return, something much more exclusive is obtained, such as the feeling of being part of a living work of art.