Ice Hotel

 

 

I fully accept responsibility for the ensuing puns.

Since this is a blog about cool hotels, it make perfect sense to spotlight the coolest hotel in the world. And I mean that sincerely and literally, as I am talking about Quebec City's Ice Hotel, or as they say in the native French, Hôtel de Glace.  Hôtel de Glace sounds so much more sophisticated doesn't it?

A marvel of Canadian engineering and affinity for the cold, each year workers rebuild the hotel out of about 500 tons ice and 15,000 tons of snow.  And while it isn't toasty warm inside, that ice does insulate guests from the bitter winter chill outside. Rooms stay around 25 degrees Fahrenheit or minus five degrees Celsius.  So essentially, it's necessary to dress warmly and stay under the covers to fully enjoy the hotel. 

Don't, however, think the hotel is just a glorified igloo.  More like a real life Fortress of Solitude. Original artwork adorns the walls, many rooms have working fireplaces and some have actual hot-tubs. There's an ice-chapel and better yet, an ice-bar.

People do come from all over the world to stay in the Ice Hotel, and this creates a rare sense of camaraderie among the guests, most all of whom are willing to share their various  "wow" and "cool" and "amazings" with anyone who will listen. Pretty, cool, eh?

photo by Sandra Bellefoy

Comments

[Melissa]

One more thing...if you have a yen to stay at the Ice Hotel (obviously it's only open in winter) make reservations now. It books quickly.

[dani]

I never had a chance to travel the world.. will definite read your blog from time to time.. probably i might need it later.. see you around

[Traveller]

Interesting! I have heard there is one in Norway, and another one in Jungfraujoch, Switzerland.