The first Ice Hotels were built in the 1980s and would be made of approximately 5000 tonnes of ice. They are carved from ice and all the parts from the pillars supporting the building and the ice blocks for building the walls are carved from this ice. The ice is usually taken from a natural source so the conditions need to be fairly artic for there to be a sufficient amount of ice to build the structures.
Canada Not far from Qubec City the first ever ice hotel of North America is built every January. They use around 5000 tonnes of ice to build it each year and the walls are on average around 4ft thick. It offered 22 rooms when it was first erected in 2000 but since then as it has become more popular they build more rooms each year with last year having 85. They also have a wide selection of facilities with their own cinema, bar complete with ice glasses and the Chapel with huge arched doorways where many people celebrate their marriage every year. A unique feature of this hotel is it has two art galleries also built of ice to offer its guests. Another way this hotel differs to others like it is the way that they have heated bathrooms which are kept in a separate insulated side structure.
Sweden The Ice Hotel is the first of its kind and is one of the most famous its situated near the village of Jukkasjrvi, Kiruna, Sweden.
The large amount of ice needed to build the hotel each year is taken from the local Torne River. Since its building it has been featured in many different travel TV programs and also magazines and newspapers have written articles on the hotel and its features.
The hotel has around 80 rooms and each one is unique and changes every year as it has to be rebuilt each year. As well as the many rooms it also offers services you may expect of any normal hotel such as its own bar and even its own church all built of ice. In their restaurant it is possible to have a plate made of ice with a cold cut served on it and in the bar they use glasses made of ice to serve your drinks. The hotel only exists between December and April because this is when the weather is suitable for it to stay frozen.
Finland The Mammut Snow Hotel is built completely of snow instead of ice but has many of its pieces inside built of ice such as the chairs, the bar, the beds and many pieces of art made of ice. It is very popular with those getting married and they have their own chapel that is used for many weddings each year. As well as these facilities it also has its own snow restaurant which can be used by guests and public.
