Another trip down memory lane on Day 4 and the amazing Ice Hotel in Alta. We were planning on staying here overnight - but having booked the holiday we found that the excursion didn't include the option this time around. Maybe next time!!
An ice hotel is a temporary hotel made up of snow, sculpted blocks of ice, and, in some cases, some steel framing. They are promoted by their sponsors and have special features for the travellers who are interested in novelties and unusual environments, and thus are in the class of destination hotels. Their lobbies are often filled with ice sculptures, and food and drinks are specially chosen for the circumstances.
All of the ice hotels are reconstructed every year, and are dependent upon constant sub-freezing temperatures during construction and operation. The walls, fixtures, and fittings are made entirely of ice or compacted snow, and are held together using a substance known as snice, which takes the place of mortar in a traditional brick-built hotel.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, Alta has been rebuilt yearly since 2000. It is Europe’s northernmost ice hotel, as it is located in the Finnmark region and is approximately 250 km from North Cape. The 2000 square meter hotel has 30 rooms, including 2 suites and it is decorated with numerous ice sculptures and ice furnishings, including lighting systems which enhance the different types of crystalline formations. Besides the bedrooms the hotel also contains an ice chapel, ice gallery and ice bar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice. The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta has a changing theme every year. In 2004, it was a Viking theme, in 2005, Norwegian fairytales, and in 2006, the theme was wild animals of the region. The guests use sleeping bags that sit on top of reindeer hides.
I've been there and it was just so beautiful, which you have captured in this image. The colours were wonderful. I would have loved to have stayed there but had the same problem as you, only a quick excursion was possible. Lovely, thanks for helping me relive my visit!
@sturnus It's a jaw dropping place to visit. We had just been snowmobiling previously and luckily when we arrived at the hotel - the previous excursion had just left, so we had the whole place more or less to ourselves! We were told to take photographs with and without flash - so you can imagine how many snaps I took!! The picture above was just by the bar/welcome area.
We are thinking of visiting Iceland in a couple of years time and might get the opportunity then hopefully to stay overnight in one there. Glad I could help you relive your visit Carol and thanks for commenting :)
@quietpurplehaze It wasn't cold really Hazel. I think it's kept at a constant -3 or so. Apparently you become quite accustomed to it after a while. Would loved to have stayed overnight so i could've given you a first hand account. We'll do it again one day and spend a night. :)
Wonderful photo and really fun history to read about ice hotels. Thank you for sharing. I'd like a look at one but pretty sure I wouldn't want to stay in one.
@willowdragon You have to leave the Ice Hotel itself and head towards the main reception area which is actually a proper building. It contains toilets and a communal shower!
Lovely shot, and very atmospheric. A friend of mine has a daughter who got married in one of these although I don't know if it was this one. My friend didn't stay in the hotel but the young couple did. Quite an experience!
That is so awesome. I would love to stay in something like that. They have one every year at the big winter festival in Quebec. Someday I hope to get out there and see that one
Great shot Darren. I've never been there, but I spent one year in the army in northern Norway and we did sleep in snow caves a couple of times. We had to dig ours ourselves though ;-)
We are thinking of visiting Iceland in a couple of years time and might get the opportunity then hopefully to stay overnight in one there. Glad I could help you relive your visit Carol and thanks for commenting :)