Having visited this incredible ice hotel, what would be the most memorable thing?
It's simple.
It's small.
And it's completely unmatched for its novelty.
It was a glass made out of ice.
(Pictured below is the ice bar. With chill lounge music, a full bar, and lighting that shifted every few minutes, it was the 'place to be seen'.)
Quebec, Canada
The first view of the inside of the ice hotel is spectacular. The ceiling vaults up almost 20 feet and a carved ice columns stretch to meet it. There is a huge reception desk on one side, and next to it a carved fireplace and chairs -- all made of ice. A chandelier weighing hundreds of pounds reaches down from the ceiling and massive sculptures provide art for each room .
Long hallways reach out in different directions, down which people walk to view each of the different rooms. Each room has a unique bed, sculptures, and wall carvings in a chosen theme.
When it's fully constructed, the ice hotel will have 36 rooms, a chapel, nightclub, and entry hall. One of just two ice hotels in the world, it's truly a unique experience to see and spend a night in it.
(entry to the ice hotel, and a view down one corridor)
15,000 tons of snow. 18 foot tall ceilings. 36 rooms. How exactly does an ice hotel work? I can't help but first share some of the logistical parts of my recent stay at the ice hotel, as I had no idea what to expect when I first arrived.
What does one do there? People only tour around, and then sleep in the hotel. Eating, bathing, changing, and most other activities are done in a nearby lodge.
Where are one's things kept? People wander from room to room looking at all of the room 'suite themes' in awe (awwwhhhhhhh). There are no doors on internal rooms (just curtains). For this reason, all personal 'stuff' is stashed in a locker in that same cozy, warm little building next door.
And how does sleeping work? The bed frame is made out of ice. A board is suspended across it and covered with a thin mattress and deer skins. At night, the staff come by with big sleeping bags and a tiny little candle-for-ambience. The sleeping bags are truly warm enough, so long as no appendages, *like your head* work themselves out. (So....It's advisable to either wear a hat or burrow into that sleeping bag like a groundhog.)
What does one do for fun? Touring the hotel at different times of day is amazing. The ice hotel bar has swanky lounge music and crisp drinks and is well worth, mmmmm, let's say more than one visit. Nearby adventure companies also offer snowmobiling, dog sledding, skiing, and tours. Plenty to do!
"On the rocks" isn't just for drinks anymore...
In addition to seeking out geographies, it can be fantastic to seek out novel experiences. In that spirit, I'm excited for the chance to stay in a hotel made entirely out of ice this month. Important questions will be answered, such as....
"What's it like to sleep on a block of ice?"
"How does the whole door thing work?"
"What does one buy in an ice gift shop?"
More to follow....
(Picture by Xavier Dachez )
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