Best Ice Hotels in Sweden 2026
Sweden invented the ice hotel concept in 1989, and it's still home to the world's most famous frozen accommodation. Here's every ice and snow hotel worth visiting.
1. ICEHOTEL, Jukkasjärvi (The Original)
Price: £200–700/night | Open: December–April (seasonal) + Year-round (365) | Aurora Score: 9/10
The world's first ice hotel, rebuilt every winter from 2,500 tonnes of Torne River ice. Each year, international artists create unique Art Suites — no two years are the same. The ICEHOTEL 365 stays frozen year-round using solar power.
Room types:
- Ice Room (from £200): Carved ice walls, ice bed with reindeer hides, thermal sleeping bag. Shared warm bathrooms.
- Art Suite (from £350): Individual artist-designed sculptures you sleep inside. Each one unique.
- Deluxe Art Suite (from £500): Art suite with private heated bathroom.
- ICEHOTEL 365 (from £400): Permanent ice suites, available even in summer.
- Warm Rooms (from £150): Standard hotel in the warm building next door.
What's included: Morning sauna, hot lingonberry juice wake-up, ice bar drinks, activities briefing.
Activities: Dog sledding, snowmobile tours, northern lights tours, ice sculpting classes, wilderness dinners.
How to get there: Fly to Kiruna (SAS/Norwegian via Stockholm), then 17km transfer. The hotel arranges shuttles.
Book: 3–6 months ahead for Art Suites. January offers best availability.
2. Arctic Bath, Harads
Price: £350–600/night | Open: Year-round | Aurora Score: 8/10
A floating hotel and spa on the Lule River. The centrepiece is an outdoor cold bath surrounded by a circular wooden structure — half sauna, half ice plunge. In winter, the river freezes and the hotel sits on ice.
Why it's special:
- Floating design (frozen into river ice in winter)
- World-class spa with cold plunge, saunas, hot tubs
- Just 6 cabins — extremely exclusive
- Sustainability focus — built from local timber
- Incredible aurora viewing from the floating deck
Activities: Ice floating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, foraging, northern lights tours.
3. TreeHotel, Harads
Price: £300–550/night | Open: Year-round | Aurora Score: 8/10
Not technically an ice hotel, but Sweden's most architecturally striking accommodation. Seven treehouses suspended in the forest canopy, each designed by a different architect. The Mirrorcube, UFO, Bird's Nest, and 7th Room are the most famous.
Why include it: Often combined with Arctic Bath (same village). The 7th Room has floor-to-ceiling windows for aurora viewing from bed — glass igloo vibes in a treehouse.
4. Icecamp Sweden, Jokkmokk
Price: £150–250/night | Open: January–March | Season: During/after Jokkmokk Winter Market
A smaller, more intimate ice camp experience near the famous Sámi Winter Market (first weekend of February). Sleep in ice rooms, dine on Sámi food, and experience indigenous culture alongside the ice stay.
Comparison Table
| Hotel | Price/Night | Aurora | Unique Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICEHOTEL | £200–700 | 9/10 | Original, artist suites | Everyone |
| Arctic Bath | £350–600 | 8/10 | Floating spa | Couples, wellness |
| TreeHotel | £300–550 | 8/10 | Architect treehouses | Design lovers |
| Icecamp Jokkmokk | £150–250 | 8/10 | Sámi culture | Culture seekers |
Practical Tips
- One night is enough for ice hotels — most people find -5°C charming for exactly one night
- Two-night combo works well: one night ice + one night warm/treehouse
- Pack light for ice rooms — you store bags in warm lockers, sleep in thermals only
- The sleeping bags are warm — rated to -30°C, you'll be surprised how cosy they are
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book months ahead?
Art Suites at ICEHOTEL: yes, 3–6 months. Standard ice rooms and Arctic Bath: 1–2 months usually suffices. TreeHotel's Mirrorcube books out 6+ months ahead.Can kids stay in ice hotels?
ICEHOTEL accepts families (children in warm rooms recommended). Arctic Bath is adult-focused. TreeHotel is family-friendly.What if I can't sleep in the cold?
Book a warm room at ICEHOTEL and visit the ice rooms/bar without sleeping in them. You get 90% of the experience.Explore our Sweden destinations for more accommodation and activity options.