9 Winter Wonderland Hotels for People Who Actually Like Cold Weather
Many travelers head south in search of warmer climates during the winter months, but have you ever considered going north instead, and really leaning into the season? Up there, sometimes even beyond the Arctic Circle, you’ll find incredible hotels that showcase phenomena like the northern lights, as well as the natural beauty of ice and snow.
Staying at Québec’s seasonal Hôtel de Glace, for example, is a great way to experience the iconic Québec Winter Carnival. And at Santa’s Igloos Arctic Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland, you can watch the aurora borealis from the comfort of your very own glass-topped igloo, complete with heated floors and a private hot tub. Read on for even more cool hotels (pun intended), where you can experience some winter magic. Just remember that evenings can be quite cold up north, so just one or two nights should suffice—and don’t forget to pack your long underwear. (Photo courtesy of Snowhotel Kirkenes.)
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ICEHOTEL (Jukkasjävi, Sweden)
This popular Lapland property claims to be the first ice hotel in the world. Whether or not that’s true, it’s certainly one of the most well-known. Each year, a crew of artisans comes to create the hotel’s winter wing anew, hand-sculpting ice blocks from the Torne River into rooms and decor. Ice rooms feature bed frames made of ice, while the more elegant Art Suites are crafted entirely from ice and snow. (You can opt to stay in a traditional hotel room or cabin if sub-20-degree accommodations aren’t your thing.) The hotel also offers several activities and excursions, from ice sculpting to a foraged wilderness dinner held at a cabin in the woods.
Hôtel De Glace (Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Quebec, Canada)
Québec’s famous ice hotel is a beloved tradition, and the only hotel of its kind in North America. It encompasses a Grand Hall, a chapel and around 30 ice rooms and themed suites, decorated with ice and snow sculptures. Sleep on a bed made from ice (topped with a mattress, insulating linens and a sleeping bag certified to -22 degrees Fahrenheit), make sure to bring your bathing suit (the hotel also has hot tubs and saunas under the stars) and don’t miss the ice bar, where you can sip inventive cocktails by the fire.
Wilderness Hotel Inari (Inari, Finland)
If admiring the northern lights is on your bucket list, then consider this remote hotel, located in Finnish Lapland, near the Sami village of Inari. Here, you’ll find a mix of log cabin–style accommodations that are ideal for larger groups, as well as glass-roofed cabins that allow for aurora viewing from your bed. Looking to stay active during your visit? The hotel has everything from snowmobiling and sleigh rides to fishing and reindeer encounters.
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Hotel (Rovaniemi, Finland)
They’ve really perfected the winter experience at this hotel in northern Finland, where individual igloos come with luxe touches like heated bathroom floors, cozy beds strewn with fur-lined blankets and glass ceiling panels that melt the snow away, providing unobstructed views of the sky (and improving your chances of catching the northern lights from bed). Igloos also come with a smaller, second bedroom (no glass ceiling, though) that’s great for kids, and visitors praise the delicious breakfast included with stays here.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (Alta, Norway)
The northernmost ice hotel in the world, Sorrisniva gets completely redesigned and rebuilt each year with a new theme. Igloo accommodations range from double rooms to family suites and showcase ice furniture, impressive sculptures and extra-large ice beds, topped with insulated mattresses and reindeer hides. To keep you occupied during your stay, there’s a range of arctic adventures, like cultural encounters with the local Sami people and snowmobiling across the expansive Finnmark plateau. The food here is also a draw: The hotel has two restaurants, one with a fine-dining prix fixe menu and the other with a more relaxed vibe.
Snowhotel Kirkenes (Bjørnevatn, Norway)
You can expect wintery conditions pretty much year-round in this far-northern part of Norway, which is why the Snowhotel Kirkenes is the world’s only hotel made completely of snow and ice that remains open 365 days a year. In addition to aurora viewing, dog sledding and snowshoeing, guests can catch their own supersized crustaceans on a unique king crab safari, or learn about Sami culture through song and storytelling. In 2023, the Snowhotel also debuted an impressive new reception building, complete with an exciting collection of artworks from Northern Scandinavian artists.
Star Arctic Hotel (Saariselkä, Finland)
The northern lights aren’t the only natural phenomena you’ll see at this Finnish Lapland hotel—the destination property has expansive views in all directions, highlighting the austere beauty of the Arctic landscape. Two-story Scenic Suites feature panoramic views of Saariselkä village; spa suites come with private saunas and kitchenettes; and Aurora Glass Cabins have heated glass-panel roofs for prime aurora viewing. To make things easy, the hotel offers all-inclusive packages that include not only accommodations, but also airport transfers, activities and three meals a day.
Aurora Pyramids at Elves Village (Tonttula, Finland)
If you’re hoping to see the northern lights while traveling with children, check out Aurora Pyramids. Little ones will love the proximity to Elves Village, an interactive “experience village” complete with reindeer sleigh rides and even Santa Claus himself, while adults will appreciate the freestanding chalets, which have a glass-pyramid design for near-360-degree views. Rooms also come with motorized beds that you can adjust for optimal sleeping or aurora viewing, as well as two comfy armchairs that convert to additional beds.
Hotel Arctic (Ilulissat, Greenland)
Get ready for the Greenland tourism boom: With the launch of United’s nonstop service from the New York City area (EWR) to Nuuk (GOH) in 2025 (as well as more direct flights from the United States expected in subsequent years), the world’s largest island is about to be closer than ever. If you’re looking for a real-deal arctic experience when you visit, book one of the ocean-view rooms at the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, a town known for its dramatic icebergs—and having almost as many sled dogs as residents. Set right on the shores of the Ilulissat Icefjord, the hotel provides easy access to one of the largest and most active glaciers on Earth, plus other wintery experiences like whale safaris, dog sledding, northern lights viewing and more.
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