ICEHOTEL Holiday Information 2011/12

Jukkasjärvi
A small village with a pretty little church, supermarket and houses in Sweden's largest Kommun (council area), Kiruna. The wide, slow running Torne River runs alongside the village during the long summer days, and freezes over in the beautiful winters with a metre thick layer of ice - the source of ICEHOTEL.

Warm rooms
These are comfortable rooms in a typical modern Scandinavian design. 

Kaamos rooms
Double / twin rooms with private bathroom facilities. 
Arctic Chalets 
2 bedrooms with 1 double and 1 single room. There is a small living area with table and chairs, a fridge and bathroom. Upgrade from £20 per person per night.
Nordic Chalets
Double / twin bedroom and 1 bedroom with bunk beds. For families with 3 children an extra bed can be included. Once again there is a bathroom, table chairs and fridge. Upgrade from £20 per person per night.

Building of ICE HOTEL
The planning of ICE HOTEL starts many months in advance of the actual construction project. Ice is sourced from the Torne River in March and April. It is stored in a large freezer until November when temperatures are low enough for the contstruction of ICE HOTEL to begin. Building starts in November and ICE HOTEL usually opens in early December. Building work can progress through to January depending on the conditions. This should not put you off visiting ICE HOTEL over this period. This is an amazing time to visit and actually see work in progress. This is not your usual building site! Videos, documentaries and TV programs have been made about the construction of ICE HOTEL, now is the time to see it with your own eyes.

Practicalities
Clothing
Being properly dressed is important to allow you to enjoy this magical environment during the winter. You will be provided with outer clothing which includes a snowmobile suit, hat, gloves and snow boots. These are designed to complement your own thermal items.
Items strongly recommened by Simply Sweden include woolen socks, thermal underwear designed to take moisture away from the body. This should not be cotton as cotton holds moisture close to the body and will effectively cool you down. You should also include a scarf, hat, gloves and several thin layers and 1 or 2 thick layers including thick jumper / fleece.
It is a good idea not to use any facial creams, shave, take a sauna or shower in the morning before any planned outside activities as this will take away the natural defence layer that forms on the skin.

Checking in / out
ICE HOTEL (cold) is an art gallery and open to the public between 10am and 6pm daily. Guests will have access to their rooms outside these hours, allowing for preparation in the morning. You can check into your warm accommodation from 3pm and you must check out by 11am. Simply Sweden recommends you have an activity booked for the period between checking out of your cold / warm room and checking into your warm / cold room.

Luggage
As ICE HOTEL (cold) is at a constant -5C you will not be able to take your personal belongings into ICE HOTEL as they will freeze! Secure areas and bathroom areas and sauna in warm accommodation are located just next to ICE HOTEL with an adjoining door so there is no need to brave the external elements!

Restaurants pre-booking strongly recommended
ICEHOTEL restaurant
This restaurant is in the warm buildings next to reception and has featured in many international publications. Inspiration is drawn from many global cultures and many of the ingredients are locally sourced. Some of the dishes are served on ICEplates to continue the arctic theme. ICE HOTEL restaurant has been awarded the Werner Vögeli Statuette. This is also the location for your generous breakfast buffet. 

Hembygdsgården (Old Homestead)
Just half a mile from ICE HOTEL, which takes no time at all with help from a kick sledge, this cosy restaurant with its open fire and homely atmosphere stands on the shores of the Torne River.  Serving local specialties including elk, reindeer, salmon and arctic char the local theme continues into the range of delicious deserts with cloudberries, lingonberries and blueberries featuring on the menu.

ICEHOTEL lounge
There is warm bar / lounge located next to ICEHOTEL warm reception where drinks and snacks can be purchased.

Transfers
Standard transfers are by minibus or coach and take less than 30 mins. You will be met at Kiruna airport by an ICEHOTEL representative on arrival. Your standard departure transfer will leave ICE HOTEL reception approx 1hr30 prior to the departure of your flight. You will be advised of this time when you receive your travel documents. If you elect to take a husky or snowmobile transfer your luggage will be transferred separately and you will be given warm clothing at the airport for the extra special journey to ICE HOTEL. Kiruna airport is a relatively small airport but does have a small shop and restaurant. 

Shopping
There are busses to the local town of Kiruna which take approx 30mins. Time tables will be available from ICE HOTEL reception or are clearly displayed on the bus stops. Make sure you are aware of when the return bus leaves! A taxi to Kiruna or the airport will cost approx £50. There is a local convenience store just a couple of hundred meters from ICE HOTEL where you can buy food and drinks.

We wish you a pleasant stay at ICEHOTEL!