We’ve recently heard that the superb Icehotel from Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, has recently reopened its gates to fans and alike, marking the start of the hotel’s 23rd season. Guests may find the Icehotel 124 miles (about 200 km) north of the Arctic Circle.
The design of this wonderful location is quite fantastic. It is built entirely of snow and ice, featuring luxurious suites designed by artists, one of them even resembling an UFO, courtesy of PinPin design studio. A true masterpiece, a city under the ceilings, this marvelous place boasts with artistically designed luxury suites, a nice reception, ice bar, staggering main hall and, interestingly, an ice church.
There is also a premiere this year, as the Icehotel is reportedly hosting its first photo exhibition and light installation, within a separate construction made of Torne River ice and snow by the acclaimed artists John Pettersson and Anna Öhlund. Furthermore, the theme of this season is “Navigating the Unknown”, therefore the main hall has been designed accordingly, encompassing all sorts of ideas from ancient sailing maps.
Superb tridimensional lines can be admired on the ceiling and the walls of the main hall, just like those used by ancient sailors. In addition, a stalwart compass rose rises from the middle of the room according to Thoms Ivarsson, co-creator of the Icehotel. The suite we’ve mentioned earlier, designed by PinPin, is called “Beam Me Up” and boasts inspiration from current UFO theories. The suite is packed with hovering UFO-like crafts, sending columns of ice and light to the floor, just like the so-called beams.
Furthermore, Icehotel is able to provide guests with the Northern Light Flight package, operated by Direktflyg, offering them the unique chance to take part in a rare flight experience, together with Lapland Resorts, Swedavia Kiruna Airport, the Institute of Space Physics and Spaceport Sweden. This package carries guests into the Swedish night skies, allowing them to enjoy the northern lines from the front spots. The aurora borealis, as scientists call it, is at its peak every 11 years – the guests of 2013 are quite lucky – they will witness wonderful Northern Lights shines.
In case you’re interested, note that you should definitely bring some thick clothes along. The staff is able to maintain a constant internal temperature of between -5 to -8 degrees C (17 – 23 degrees Fahrenheit). Those who wish to spend nights at the Icehotel will be provided with thermal sleeping bags or arrival, each room boasting its own ice bed – a contraption which includes a plastic coated mattress covered with reindeer skins and a wooden frame, lying within a massive ice block. We also have to mention guests will need to pay between $588 and $930 per night per couple, while the Northern Light Flights package costs an additional $1,025 per person.
[Gizmag]
