In Sweden you will find some of the most amazing places to stay in winter, where architecture and nature unite as nowhere else on earth. The crown jewel is the legendary ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, the original ice hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1989, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle on the banks of the Torne River. This ephemeral work of art is recreated each winter from ice harvested from the Torne River, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, before melting back into its source each spring. Visitors are guaranteed a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with transient art.
Sweden’s winter hospitality extends beyond the ICEHOTEL, offering innovative treehouses suspended in forest canopies, floating spa retreats frozen into rivers and glass-domed sky huts for aurora viewing. Each has its own interpretation of Nordic winter magic—sleeping on an ice bed wrapped in reindeer skins, viewing the Northern Lights from a mirrored cube 10 meters above the forest floor, or soaking in a wood-fired sauna before plunging into a frozen river. The philosophy is the same: to not only endure the cold but also to enjoy it as part of the experience.
Top 5 Ice Hotels and Unique Stays in Sweden
- ICEHOTEL (Jukkasjärvi)
- Treehotel (Harads)
- Arctic Bath (Harads)
- Laponia Sky Hut (Gällivare)
- ICEHOTEL 365 (Jukkasjärvi)
A Closer Look at the Top 5 Ice Hotels and Unique Stays in Sweden
1. ICEHOTEL (Jukkasjärvi)
The ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi is the original and best-known ice hotel in the world and a pioneer of the genre since 1989. The hotel is located 200 kilometers inside the Arctic Circle and is rebuilt every winter using ice from the Torne River. It has made the northern winter the height of the tourist season, making a quiet off-season a time when tourists flock in from all over the world.
Key Points
- Location Arctic Circle: 200km north of the Arctic Circle in the village of Jukkasjärvi, a historical crossroads and marketplace for Sami reindeer herders and fur traders for over 400 years
- Ice Room Experience: Guests sleep in rooms carved out of ice, at an average temperature of -5°C, with reindeer pelts and expedition-grade thermal sleeping bags provided
- Warm Accommodation Packages One night in an ice room, two nights in warm Arctic chalets with central heating and contemporary Scandinavian design
- ICE BAR: Signature cocktails served in glasses carved from the ice of the Torne River in extravagantly designed frozen surroundings
- Activities include dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, ice sculpting workshops, reindeer encounters with the Sami people, Northern Lights safaris and ice fishing.
Achievements
- First and most famous ice hotel in the world, operating since 1989
- Over 1 million guests hosted to date
- Morning sauna and hot lingonberry juice at bedside are signature traditions
Feedback
ICEHOTEL seems to be universally described as a “must-see” destination. The experience is rated by guests as consistently “unforgettable” and “surreal”. First time visitors are sometimes concerned about the cold, but they sleep surprisingly well inside the thermal sleeping bags. The warm sauna and the lingonberry juice in the morning at the bedside are often mentioned as highlights.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.icehotel.com
2. Treehotel (Harads)
Treehotel is situated in the small village of Harads in Swedish Lapland, some 60 kilometers from Luleå Airport. The property boasts some extraordinary treehouse rooms that have been uniquely designed by leading Scandinavian architects and are suspended 4–10 meters above the forest floor. While the ICEHOTEL’s frozen minimalism is one thing, Treehotel takes a more whimsical, design-led approach that transforms with the seasons—magical in winter under the Northern Lights, just as enchanting in summer under the midnight sun.
Key Points
- Architect-Designed Rooms: Five uniquely designed treehouse rooms include The Mirrorcube (invisible cube clad in reflective glass), The Bird’s Nest (woven twig exterior concealing modern room), The UFO (retro-futuristic disc), The Cabin and The Blue Cone.
- High setting: Rooms 4-10 metres above the forest floor, accessible by ramp or bridge
- Local Produce: Restaurant serves locally sourced, seasonal produce such as salmon, reindeer and moose
- Activities: Winter: horse-drawn skiing, snowmobile tours, Northern Lights camping excursions; summer: hiking, fishing, kayaking
- Seasonal Operations: Year-round: winter, aurora viewing from bed; summer, 24-hour daylight
Achievements
- Named as one of the world’s most unique hotels by international design magazines and travel guides
- Host Britta greets guests personally, creating a “stress-free retreat” atmosphere
- Each room is described as a “contemporary, individually designed tree house bedrooms” providing a “once-in-a-lifetime trip.”
Feedback
Treehotel guests call it “magical” and “architecture perfection.” There’s nothing like watching the Northern Lights from a cozy heated bed through the big windows. The treehouses are small by design and booking well in advance is important, some guests say. The Mirrorcube is especially loved for its invisibility design, while the Bird’s Nest is said to be the most fun.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.treehotel.se
3. Arctic Bath (Harads)
Arctic Bath opened in 2020 next to Treehotel (both properties are owned by the same company and can be booked together for a multi-night stay). The main building is a dramatic round structure on the Lule River—on land in winter when the river freezes and floating in the summer. Drawing on historic timber floating techniques, the design combines natural materials (stone, wood and leather) with a dramatic open-air cold bath at the center. Arctic Bath markets itself as a wellness-oriented, adult-only retreat that offers a complete spa experience in the winter wilderness.
Key Points
- Types of Accommodation: Water rooms (free-floating cabins on the river with crackling open fires and private decks) Land rooms (forest views, private sauna)
- Wellness Focus: Full spa access including traditional saunas, warm and cold baths, relaxation areas; includes 45-minute Mindful Sauna Experience + amenity kit
- Culinary Excellence Five-course gourmet dinner “inspired by and created from the finest and freshest local ingredients,” served within the striking circular building’s restaurant
- Premium Inclusions: Spa kit, bathrobe, slippers and bathing suit provided
- Activities: Arctic Bath offers optional excursions, including snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing and reindeer encounters.
Achievements
- Dubbed “the new kid on the block” and “simply a spectacular” addition to the luxury accommodation scene in Swedish Lapland
- Its centrepiece—a circular structure suspended in the river—is a tribute to the region’s logging heritage
- As a “wonderful contrast” to the adventure-oriented Treehotel, included on luxury travel itineraries
Feedback
Visitors describe Arctic Bath as “a sanctuary above the Arctic Circle.” Modern design, exceptional service and a peaceful setting on the frozen Lule River combine for a truly restorative experience. The water rooms with private decks for stargazing and Northern Lights are particularly memorable. As with Treehotel, it is essential to book ahead, particularly for the winter Aurora season.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.arcticbath.se
4. Laponia Sky Hut (Gällivare)
Laponia Sky Hut is a unique Arctic experience. It is a luxury tent with a glass dome, floating on the water of Lake Stuor Gárddjovarre, right next to Muddus National Park in Gällivare. It is described as “far from any civilization,” where “the silence and atmosphere are very special and let you relax and find your inner balance.” In winter its glass dome lets you “hear the crunch of the white snow and, with a little luck, see the green dancing of the northern lights.” In the summer months, the long daylight hours enable guests to “enjoy the calmness of nature” on the floating structure.
Key Points
- Glass Dome Design: The unique glass tent lets guests sleep in warmth and safety and watch the Northern Lights from their bed; the hut floats on the water
- Remote Location: Next to Muddus National Park, with complete solitude and dark skies—perfect for viewing auroras
- Self-Catering Facilities Includes small kitchen, fridge, electricity and 4G internet
- Sauna Facilities: Sauna on premises for guest use
- Local experience: Traditional Sami dish “Suovas” (smoked reindeer meat) as add-on
- Capacity: Accommodates 2 guests, perfect for couples looking for a romantic Arctic escape
Achievements
- A “very special” atmosphere, a place that “changes and re-designs by the day like a theater setting.”
- One of the most remote and rustic of Swedish unique stays, for a real wilderness immersion
- The glass tent allows for uninterrupted aurora viewing without leaving bed
Feedback
Laponia Sky Hut is ideal for the adventurous traveler who values solitude and being at one with nature over luxury amenities. The remote location offers spectacular dark skies for Northern Lights viewing, but guests should be prepared for self-catering and basic facilities. The highlight is the glass dome design, so you can view the aurora from the comfort of your bed.
Contact Information
Website: https://laponiaskyhut.com/
5. ICEHOTEL 365 (Jukkasjärvi)
ICEHOTEL 365 is a year-round version of the original ICEHOTEL, featuring 11 art suites and nine deluxe suites, maintained at -5°C all year round using solar power collected in the summer months. “This innovation allows visitors to experience the magic of sleeping on ice in any season, from the midnight sun of summer to the aurora season of winter. It’s an innovative feat of sustainable design, with solar power being the source of all the power.
Key Points
- All-year-round operation: open 365 days a year, unlike the seasonal ICEHOTEL (winter only)
- ART AND DELUXE SUITES: Eleven art suites (artist-designed, similar to the winter ICEHOTEL) and Nine deluxe suites (with heated suite bathrooms; some have private saunas)
- Solar Powered Cooling: Rooms are cooled to -5°C using solar energy harvested in the summer
- Sleeping arrangements: Reindeer skins and thermal sleeping bags; deluxe suites with the added luxury of heated bathrooms
- Dining: White Guide restaurant with local, seasonal ingredients, creatively prepared; four-course Ice Dining served on ice dishes; 12-course tasting menu at Chef’s Table
- Activities throughout the year In summer you can go river rafting, hiking, cycling and zip-lining; in winter you can try husky safaris, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and reindeer encounters
Achievements
- The world’s first permanent ice hotel, solar-cooled in summer
- Visitors can now experience the art of the ICEHOTEL during the summer months—previously impossible
- 11 art suites are built to the same artistic standards as the ICEHOTEL in winter
Feedback
ICEHOTEL 365 is a great option for travelers who can’t make it during the winter months or want to combine the ice hotel experience with Sweden’s midnight sun. For those who are worried about the -5c temperature for sleeping, the deluxe suites have heated bathrooms to make your stay more comfortable. The ICEBAR is open year round and serves cocktails in ice glasses.
Contact Information
Website: https://www.icehotel.com
FAQ
What is the temperature inside the ICEHOTEL rooms?
Ice rooms are kept at approximately -5°C to -8°C year-round. Guests sleep on ice beds covered with reindeer pelts and are provided with expedition-grade thermal
sleeping bags rated for extreme cold. A warm sauna is available before bed and hot lingonberry juice is served at the bedside in the morning.
Do I have to sleep in the ice rooms at the ICEHOTEL?
No. Warm accommodation such as Kaamos Rooms and Arctic Chalets with central heating, private bathrooms and beds is available for those who want to stay warm at the ICEHOTEL. Most packages include one night in an ice room and two nights in warm accommodation, which is recommended for first-time visitors.
Which property is best for Northern Lights viewing without leaving my bed?
Treehotel’s floating cabins (water rooms at Arctic Bath) and Laponia Sky Hut allow you to watch the Northern Lights from bed. The glass dome of the Laponia Sky Hut has been specially built for aurora watching and the remote location, with no light pollution, offers amazing sightlines. Water rooms at Arctic Bath have private decks for watching the stars.
Can I combine multiple unique stays in one trip?
Yes. Tour operators offer combined itineraries such as the following:
- ICEHOTEL + Treehotel: 4-day getaway with 2 nights at Treehotel and 2 nights at ICEHOTEL (one ice room, one warm room)
- Treehotel + Arctic Bath: 4-day break with 2 nights at Treehotel and 1 night at Arctic Bath including spa ritual and five-course dinner
- All three: ICEHOTEL, Treehotel and Arctic Bath can be combined with train travel in between the properties
How do I reach these remote properties?
ICEHOTEL (Jukkasjärvi): Fly to Kiruna Airport (KRN) from Stockholm (approx. 1.5 hours), then transfer by car (15-20 minutes) or pre-booked shuttle.
Treehotel and Arctic Bath (Harads): Fly into Luleå Airport (LLA) and drive 60 km (approx. 1 hour) or arrange a transfer.
Laponia Sky Hut (Gällivare): Fly to Gällivare airport, ca. 29 km to the hotel. Some properties have package transfers; check when you book.
What is a typical package price for these unique stays?
ICEHOTEL (4 days) From £830 per person low season (November-April), including return flights from London to Kiruna, transfers, 1 night in an ice room, 2 nights in a warm room, breakfast, thermal clothing, morning sauna
Treehotel + Arctic Bath (4 days) from £1,810 per person (excl. flights), including 2 nights Treehotel HB, transfers, 1 night at the Arctic Bath with a spa ritual and 5-course dinner.
All three hotels (5 days) – low-season price from £2,345 per person, including flights, train travel, breakfast and one three-course dinner.
Are these properties open year-round?
ICEHOTEL 365 is open all year round (ice suites are kept at -5°C by solar power in summer). The ICEHOTEL’s winter season is from December to mid-April.
Treehotel and Arctic Bath are open all year round, providing distinctly different experiences: winter for the aurora and summer for the midnight sun and hiking.
Laponia Sky Hut is open year-round; in summer you get long daylight and the hut is floating on the water; in winter you get snow-covered landscapes and you can watch the aurora through the glass dome.
What clothing should I pack for a winter stay?
Guests staying at ICEHOTEL are provided with thermal clothing suitable for the activities included for the duration of their stay. For Treehotel, Arctic Bath and Laponia Sky Hut, recommended winter clothing is layered: thermal base layer, mid-layer (fleece or wool), waterproof outer layer, insulated boots, hat, gloves and scarf.
