Icehotel Sweden
Icehotel Sweden
Sweden's most iconic and famous hotel and located in the small village of Jukkasjärvi (blue flag in the map below) near the town of Kiruna. It is also the original hotel of its type (1989) and remains the very best due to the quality of its art, activities, size, facilities, food and service. The icehotel is not just a hotel made of snow and ice. It is by day one of Sweden's largest art galleries and a great percentage of its rooms are worthy of any gallery in the world. The hotel also boasts two types of warm 2 bedrooms cabins as well as hotel rooms.
Traditionally the hotels 400 tons of ice melt back into the Torne River each spring, However, In 2017 the Icehotel went to a new level of innovation and 21 of its rooms are now available all year round making a visit to Swedish Lapland in Summer and Autumn even more spectacular. This development also added Deluxe suites that have their own large warm bathroom attached. Perfect for those who like a little extra comfort.
Product Information
It is important to understand the seasonal structure of the Icehotel and the types and varieties of Ice rooms. None of the Ice rooms or suites except the Luxury suites have their own bathroom. Bathroom facilities, sauna etc are a short walk from your room. It is also important for guests to be aware that the cold rooms are by day an Art Gallery and that they become a hotel again after 18:00 when only overnight guests have access to the cold areas and their own room. (Deluxe rooms are available from 15:00)
- Kaamos - warm hotel rooms. There are two types, standard and superior.
- Chalet - warm cabins with two bedrooms. There are two types, Nordic Chalet and Arctic Chalet.
- Ice rooms - available in the winter from approx mid-December to early April.
- Art Suite - available in the winter from approx mid-December to early April.
- Art Suite365 - all year round, fully enclosed rooms with a door
- Luxury Suites - all year round, fully enclosed rooms with door and its own warm bathroom with sauna, shower, toilet. There are three types of deluxe suite.
The Icehotel has several pricing seasons throughout the year as well as the seasonal changes to activities.
When recommending the Icehotel we suggest at least 1 or 2 nights with a warm room and one night cold. If your guests want to stay more than two nights it is best to have the cold room on the first or last night if available to avoid too much room swapping. Some guests even like to have a warm room on standby when they are staying cold, just in case.
When you arrive at the Icehotel your guess should proceed to the main check-in where they will receive introductory information. In winter this includes where to get fitted for their winter clothing (Boots, overalls and a hat) and, now all year round, if applicable, a full cold room brief regarding staying in the cold rooms.
Subsequently, your guests will be free to inspect the Icehotel, visit the Ice bar, relax and perhaps even partake in one of the many activities available in Summer, Autumn or Winter.
We recommend that guests only participate in activities that are available through the Icehotel and that where possible they book through you and us well in advance to ensure availability. We know that there can be slightly cheaper activities (albeit with long transfers) in the surrounding area but we know that the Icehotel has the highest standards of training, quality and safety, and these factors are important in an arctic environment.
As a special treat for those arriving at Kiruna airport we can recommend a dog sled transfer from the airport. Your guests bags are sent by a car while your guests enjoy the perfect start to their holiday sliding across frozen lakes and through the forest to the Icehotel.
For guests with a flexible budget we can also assist with exclusive services. This includes your own personal guide, luggage handling, dogsled transfer, special winter clothing, Chefs table dinner plus more. You can find more information by contacting us.
Icehotel Restaurant
The restaurant at the Icehotel is fantastic and there are many great meal options for your guests. The main restaurant at the Icehotel has adequate seating but we recommend they book in advance whenever possible.
There is an ala carte menu each evening but in particular we recommend the two specialty menus:
Ice menu:
Five amazing courses of Swedish Lapland cuisine, some of which are served on a block of ice carved from the Torne river.
Chef’s Table on the Veranda
At the Chef’s Table on The Veranda, we invite our guests into a sphere with a warm atmosphere at a place usually associated with cold and sub-zero degrees.
With this new food experience we welcome our guests “home” to ICEHOTEL and also home to Sweden. As in every Swedish home, the guests take off their shoes when entering the dwelling. A drink or alcohol-free option is served and there is an opportunity to mingle with the other guests and the staff.
After that, you are invited to sit down at the huge wooden table with the rest of the guests. Two chefs cook and serve a twelve-course menu with accompanying beverages in front of you. While you enjoy the food, the chefs talk about the produce. Select beverages from small-scale producers are served to complement the menu.
Chef’s Table on The Veranda can be booked by visitors from far and near, or for groups that like a tailored food experience.
12-course menu, December – April
8-course menu, May – November
Jukkasjärvi Homestead.
This restaurant is a short walk from the Icehotel and is open in the winter (after approx mid december). The rustic Homestead (Hembygdsgården) has a special place in the heart of Jukkasjärvi locals. In the timbered building dating back to 1768, which is also a museum, an open fire is crackling in winter, and the porch overlooking the calm passing of Torne river is a welcome spot for drinks and meals in summer.
In the kitchen, the heat radiates from the charcoal-fired oven, and on the menu, you find the dishes of a typical steakhouse. Simple but carefully selected comfort food like burgers, rib-eye and salmon are served with your choice of potatoes and a selection of cold homemade cold sauces.
The buildings housing the restaurant and museum were built in the 18th century in connection to the repair of the Jukkasjärvi village church and used to be a school. Jukkasjärvi has been a settled village for over four hundred years, but it was a market place for the Sámi and tradesmen from all over northern Scandinavia and Russia long before. It gets its name from the Sámi language, translating to “meeting by the water”. If you want to know more about the history of Jukkasjärvi, ask your waiter or one of the locals in the bar – we’re re happy to share stories about the village and its history. During the winter The Homestead have fixed sittings at 5.30 and 8 pm.
Icebar by Icehotel
Iconic bar made of Ice and a great place to stop and socialize with an ice glass and your favorite drink from their menu.
Lounge
Located behind the lobby, our lounge is open December to April, serving light snacks, hot drinks, cocktails and beers. Bring your book, a deck of cards or make some new friends between excursions or while your room is made ready for check-in.
Recommended Activities
- Ice sculpting
- Wilderness dinner
- Dog sledding
- Snowmobiling