Photo Gallery: Sweden’s ICEHOTEL

Almost 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, in the heart of Sweden’s Lappland, a hotel exists made entirely out of frozen water.

It is known simply as ICEHOTEL (why the all capital letters, I do not know).

For as little as 1250 Swedish krona (SEK) (~$195) or as much as 13,500 SEK (~$2,115), you could experience camping outside in temperatures of -5°C (23°F). Or you could sleep outside for free.

That being said (“that” being the lunacy of paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars) to sleep on a block of ice), the hotel itself is an impressive piece of art.

Seeing the hotel is well worth the trip (if you’re already in the North). The hotel melts and is rebuilt completely yearly, and no two productions are alike. Chances are that at least one of the hotel’s “Art Suites” will leave you saying, “Yeah, I guess that was pretty cool.”

You can enter and explore the place for free from 10:00 to 13:00, but you will have to pay 325 SEK (~$50) to check it out later in the day. Do not waste your money on the guided tour—just explore it for yourself and read about it online.

Thirsty? Head to the ICEBAR, where drinks will cost you a mere 115 krona apiece (~$18). But don’t worry, you get to take home the glass! The ice glass that will crack, melt, or otherwise be destroyed shortly following your failed attempt to bring it home with you.

I now present to you, the ICEHOTEL.