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Original poster

Ice Hotel Sweeden

16 replies

icedgems · 19/01/2010 13:24

Hi Has anyone been?
I'm looking at going with Discover the World, and doing their 3 night package including the Northern Lights over night.
Has anyone done this?
Any advice what must do or must avoid?
Thanks

OP posts:
Katz · 19/01/2010 13:26

my sister got married at the ice chapel at the ice hotel - will ask her for some advice. think they only stayed one night

CatIsSleepy · 19/01/2010 13:34

we went a few years ago, it was fantastic
we did one night in the icehotel, two nights in a little cabin on the same site

do take lots of thermals and for outdoor wear do avail yourselves of the super-thick snowmobiling outfits, our own outdoor gear just wasn't up to the job at all!

do go dog-sledding and snowmobiling (we did a trip at night and got fabulous views of the northern lights once we were away from the hotel). I think we also did a trip to look for moose or something-it was ok, but we probably should have gone and played at lassooing reindeer instead.

do go and drink in the icebar

don't expect much sleep on your night in the actual Icehotel-I hardly slept at all though I started off warm it got colder and colder and at one point i went to the loo (nice and warm) and was tempted to stay there rather than go back to bed

CatIsSleepy · 19/01/2010 13:35

and if you end up sleeping in a boring little room (I was mildly disappointed by our room) do make sure you go and have a thorough nose around the other rooms the next morning-they are just amazing

pagwatch · 19/01/2010 13:36

at romantic holiday in the loo.

I want to do this with DH if I can ever find respite care..

I am assuming it is not terribly child friendly?

CatIsSleepy · 19/01/2010 13:44

well we did it before children so was not attuned to child-friendliness type aspects . I think I did see some children around-probably older ones rather than teeny ones though . I don't think anything there is particularly geared around children though and am not sure how small children would cope with a night in a freezer compartment...

But I would def go if you ever get the chance pagwatch-it's actually a really magical place and the northern lights were just the most amazing thing i've ever seen

Original poster
icedgems · 19/01/2010 13:47

Thanks for the responses.
The comment re night in ice hotel, was a down side for me. I don't do cold. Yes I've been to lapland and on skiing holidays, so know about wrapping up when out and about, but I suppose I will have to make sure I invest in good quality multi layers of thermals for night time.
Do you think it's worth spending the money on an Art Suite then rather than just basic?

Pagwatch - DTW say no to children on the trip for being unsuitable, they do have other trips where children are allowed, and you visit ice hotel in day. Haven't decided yet who I am going to give the pleasure of my adorable children to, although very fortunate to have had a number of offers.

OP posts:
pagwatch · 19/01/2010 13:47

thanks cat. I does sound wonderful

Perhaps when DS1 is old enough to have the other two for a couple of nights - perhaps with my mum helping out?

Mind you , I am so old by the time I get there the cold will probably play havoc with my water works

Icedgems you will report back won't you?

ajandjjmum · 19/01/2010 13:48

DH and I did this a couple of years ago. Know what you mean Cat about the 'boring little room' - ours wasn't great, but some of them were fantastic. We actually didn't have a bad night - but certainly didn't get out to go to the loo!!

We stayed for 3 nights - with Discover the World - and for the two normal nights got moved from the Northern Lights Chalet - which was pretty ropey - to the newer chalets which were a little better.

We also arranged our excursions direct, using links from the Trip Advisor website, which saved quite a lot of money.

Also ate at the restaurant about a 15 min. walk away - owned by the same people - which was brill. Walked home along the frozen lake, but sadly didn't see the Northern Lights.

Great experience - although I wouldn't necessarily want to repeat it - too many other things to do!!

Original poster
icedgems · 19/01/2010 13:52

I will do pag
AJandJJmum - Northern Lights Chalet is that the one with the sky lights in the roof by the hotel, or the one that you have to travel to, and go on a high cable car to get to?
Restaurant is that the buffet one? How much is food and drink out there, I presume very pricey, but are you looking at £30/£50/£100 pp?

OP posts:
CatIsSleepy · 19/01/2010 14:41

ooh I don't know-how expensive are the posho rooms?we did the cheapest option but if money is no object do it! having said that we got there pretty late (plane was delayed) and went to bed late so didn't spend all that much time in our room really.
re night-time-not sure what to suggest, there's no getting away from the fact that it's damned cold . Mind you dh slept fine judging by the snoring...You're not meant to wear alot of clothes in bed actually-just your thermals, hat and gloves. Not sure if they do double sleeping bags-if they do, grab one as I bet it would be alot warmer.

aah this is bringing back great memories for me

you'll have a fab time

dinkystinky · 19/01/2010 14:46

Went to ice hotel about 5 years ago - was fantastic, one night in ice hotel, one night in a cabin. Is really v cold so invest in good thermals and thick ski gear (you get given extra equipment there but need to give it back several hours before your flight back so definitely need your own warm stuff). Would give the outdoor theatre a miss but the skidooing, northern lights tours and husky riding are all great as is the bar (with glasses made of ice with drinks in them -genius idea!). You will get single sleeping bags to sleep in at night time (when we went they only gave double sleeping bags to newlyweds - there was one newlywed couple there and the husband had surprised the wife - who was expecting a honeymoon in the Maldives - with a trip to the ice hotel - to say he was not popular was understatement of the century ). Would definitely say its a no children holiday though... enjoy.

ajandjjmum · 19/01/2010 15:07

Northern Lights chalet is the one with the skylights - ours were covered by snow, so you couldn't see out anyway! It was generally worn and grubby - and I say that in the full understanding that this is not 5* accommodation. The other units were much better (newer), and and just on the other side of the reception block. No difference in cost.

Cable car sounds exciting - that wasn't there when we were - I don't think!

Can't remember specifics, but it was pricey - I think the drinks in the Icebar were around £10 each.

ajandjjmum · 19/01/2010 15:09

One quick thought - oddly enough we were told that you got a lot colder in the double sleeping bags that the singles!

Original poster
icedgems · 19/01/2010 21:14

Great thanks for all the advice. I'm booking it as a surprise for my DH's 50th. He is fascinated by the concept and watches any programmes that are on it. Fortunately he doesn't feel the cold, me on the other hand think I will also invest in some of those clicky things that heat up, can't remember what they are called. But I'll get two sets one for when I first get in and one when I'm shivering away at 4am.

OP posts:
ajandjjmum · 20/01/2010 11:02

It was for my dh's 50th icedgems! There's not lots to do at the hotel, so it would be well worth getting some excursions arranged. Snow mobile safari at night was brilliant - except we didn't see any reindeer!

Don't know if it's your sort of thing, but there's also an astronomy centre or something similar, but you probably need to book that early.

RocheMoutonee · 20/01/2010 11:04

i cannto think of ANYTHING worse

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