ICEHOTEL Information 2008/9

Welcome to ICEHOTEL [Gallery 1]    [Gallery 2]   
Located 200 miles within the Arctic Circle in the tiny village of Jukkasjärvi, ICEHOTEL has been redesigned and rebuilt every year since 1990 using one of the purest materials on earth - water. ICEHOTEL, the designers and photographers are rightly proud of their unique artwork and designs. Here at Simply Sweden we give you the opportunity to witness one of the greatest architectural structures and finest art galleries in the world - ICEHOTEL. 

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.

Cold rooms 2008/9
ICEHOTEL ARTsuites   [ARTsuites 1]   [ARTsuites 2]
There will be 30 unique ARTsuites elaborately decorated with ICEart and ICEsculptures. 15 will be created by ICEHOTELs own team of artists. The remaining 15 will be designed by carefully selected renowned artists from across the globe. These are spacious rooms for that special occasion.
ICEHOTEL ICErooms
14 unique ICErooms will line the corridors of ICEHOTEL. Each room will be decorated with hand crafted ICEart and feature ICEfurniture.
ICEHOTEL SNOWrooms
Decorated with ICEart you will sleep in a thermal sleeping bag on a special bed built of snow and ice lined with a thick mattress and reindeer skin in one of the 24 SNOWrooms.
Group rooms
So more of you can enjoy the unique expereince of staying at ICEHOTEL some of the ARTsuites, ICErooms and SNOWrooms will have space for up to 4 people.

Warm rooms
These are comfortable rooms in a typical modern Scandinavian design. 
Kaamos rooms
Double / twin rooms with private bathroom facilities. 
Northern Lights chalets 
2 bedrooms with 1 double and 1 single room. There is a small living area with table and chairs, a fridge and bathroom. There is a ceiling window in the bedrooms so you can look into the artic sky and if you're lucky you may see the spectacular northern lights.
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.

Wilderness Camp
This is a popular excursion for those seeking excitement and exploration in some of the most exclusive Swedish countryside. The wilderness cabins are basic and can comfortably accommodate approx 6 people. You depart from ICEHOTEL at 4pm on snowmobiles. After exploring the snow covered forests, the frozen lakes and stunning countryside you will be able to relax in the log fired sauna before dinner is served by an open fire. Breakfast is also included before returning to ICEHOTEL at approx 11am.

Practicalities

Clothing
You will be provided with outer clothing which includes a snowmobile suit, hat, gloves and snow boots. You will need to bring under garments to wear under these clothes and we recommend fleece type jackets / jumpers, plenty of socks and perhaps synthetic thermal underwear.

Checking in / out
ICEHOTEL (cold) is an art gallery daily between 10am and 6pm. 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 ICEHOTEL (cold) is at a constant -5C you will not be able to take your personal belongings into ICEHOTEL as they will freeze! Secure areas and bathroom areas in warm accommodation are located just next to ICEHOTEL 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. ICEHOTEL restaurant has been awarded the Werner Vögeli Statuette. This is also the location for your generous breakfast buffet. 

Hembygården (Old Holmstead)
Just half a mile from ICEHOTEL, 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 specialities including elk, reindeer, salmon and artic char the local theme continues into the range of delicious deserts with cloudberries, lingonberries and blueberries featuring on the menu.

Bars

ICEBAR    [ICEbar]
The worlds first ICEbar has now been replicated across the globe with the worlds first permanent ICEbar in Stockholm at the Nordic Sea Hotel. Quite literally almost everything is made of ice; the bar, the chairs, the tables and the glasses. ICEBAR opens on 12th Dec 2008. The coolest place to relax after your day on ice!

NICE Bar
There is warm bar located in the same building as ICEHOTEL restaurant, just next to reception.

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 ICEHOTEL 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 ICEHOTEL. 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 ICEHOTEL 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 £35. There is a local convenience store just a couple of hundred meters from ICEHOTEL where you can buy food and drinks. It is worth noting that alcoholic drinks above 3,5% can only be purchased at state owned off-licences called "Systembolaget". The nearest one is in Kiruna.

We wish you a pleasant stay at ICEHOTEL!