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NEWS
Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle
POSTED 02 Dec 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Eleven art suites feature at the new permanent Icehotel Credit: Icehotel
The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.

Icehotel 365, located in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, is a year-round extension to the world-famous 26-year old temporary structure, which is sculpted every winter using ice from the Torne River before melting in spring.

To ensure the new structure stands firm all year round – despite its walls, floors and ceiling being made exclusively from ice and snow – a refrigerating plant powered by solar energy will maintain a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius in the warmer months. In Jukkasjärvi, the sun shines for 100 consecutive days and nights during the summer.

The new 2,100sq m (22,600sq ft) building – erected on the site of a former ice storage facility – features nine deluxe suites, each with its own warm bathroom and sauna, and eleven art suites. It also holds a large ice bar and an ice art gallery. A curved roof covered in greenery provides a vantage point of the surroundings and space for tobogganing.

The classic temporary Icehotel will be opened as usual on 16 December, creating a total of 55 rooms between the two structures. Several tons of ice will create both buildings, which sit on adjacent plots.

Ice sculptures feature heavily throughout the wintry complex. In the permanent version, the art will change during the year, melting back into Torne River when a new selection is needed. Over forty artists, designers and architects from nine different countries have created initial pieces.

French architects Luc Voisin and Mathieu Brison have created props representing the 1920s for one of the suites, while designers Viktor Tsarski and Wouter Biegelaar have dreamt up a crystal forest suite. Another room creates the feeling of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Guests are encouraged to craft their own ice sculptures. Other activities throughout the year include taking an arctic wilderness survival course, travelling to witness the Midnight Sun phenomenon and plunging into the river as part of the Jukkasjärvi sauna ritual.

A series of architects and designers have created suites for the hotel Credit: Icehotel
Sculptures in the permanent Icehotel will be changed throughout the year Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel 365 has been erected on the site of an ice storage plant, and its icy walls will be maintained by a refrigerating plant Credit: Icehotel
The temporary Icehotel will return as normal, creating a total of 55 rooms Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel is located 200km from the Arctic Circle Credit: Icehotel
All materials used to build the hotel have been harvested from the Torne River Credit: Icehotel
RELATED STORIES
  Icehotel is back: Take a look at this year's amazing art-themed frozen rooms


Sweden’s famous Icehotel has reopened for its 26th winter and is brimming with hand- crafted, ice-sculpted art.
  The power of the midnight sun will be harnassed to create an ice hotel that doesn't melt


The creators of Sweden’s famous melting Icehotel have revealed plans for a new ice venture which will have one key difference: guests will be able to stay all year round.
  FEATURE: Design: Icy reception


As the original Icehotel near Kiruna celebrates its 25th birthday, we take a look at some of this year’s stunning rooms
  Sweden's Icehotel invites guests to design and build bespoke suites


Northern Sweden’s isolated Icehotel is inviting its guests to design and build their own ice suites, with successful suggestions being maintained for the designer's exclusive use throughout the season.
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Permanent ice hotel chilled by solar power opens near Arctic Circle
POSTED 02 Dec 2016 . BY Kim Megson
Eleven art suites feature at the new permanent Icehotel Credit: Icehotel
The world’s first permanent ice hotel has opened to guests 200km (124m) north of the Arctic Circle.

Icehotel 365, located in the Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi, is a year-round extension to the world-famous 26-year old temporary structure, which is sculpted every winter using ice from the Torne River before melting in spring.

To ensure the new structure stands firm all year round – despite its walls, floors and ceiling being made exclusively from ice and snow – a refrigerating plant powered by solar energy will maintain a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius in the warmer months. In Jukkasjärvi, the sun shines for 100 consecutive days and nights during the summer.

The new 2,100sq m (22,600sq ft) building – erected on the site of a former ice storage facility – features nine deluxe suites, each with its own warm bathroom and sauna, and eleven art suites. It also holds a large ice bar and an ice art gallery. A curved roof covered in greenery provides a vantage point of the surroundings and space for tobogganing.

The classic temporary Icehotel will be opened as usual on 16 December, creating a total of 55 rooms between the two structures. Several tons of ice will create both buildings, which sit on adjacent plots.

Ice sculptures feature heavily throughout the wintry complex. In the permanent version, the art will change during the year, melting back into Torne River when a new selection is needed. Over forty artists, designers and architects from nine different countries have created initial pieces.

French architects Luc Voisin and Mathieu Brison have created props representing the 1920s for one of the suites, while designers Viktor Tsarski and Wouter Biegelaar have dreamt up a crystal forest suite. Another room creates the feeling of being at the bottom of the ocean.

Guests are encouraged to craft their own ice sculptures. Other activities throughout the year include taking an arctic wilderness survival course, travelling to witness the Midnight Sun phenomenon and plunging into the river as part of the Jukkasjärvi sauna ritual.

A series of architects and designers have created suites for the hotel Credit: Icehotel
Sculptures in the permanent Icehotel will be changed throughout the year Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel 365 has been erected on the site of an ice storage plant, and its icy walls will be maintained by a refrigerating plant Credit: Icehotel
The temporary Icehotel will return as normal, creating a total of 55 rooms Credit: Icehotel
The Icehotel is located 200km from the Arctic Circle Credit: Icehotel
All materials used to build the hotel have been harvested from the Torne River Credit: Icehotel
RELATED STORIES
Icehotel is back: Take a look at this year's amazing art-themed frozen rooms


Sweden’s famous Icehotel has reopened for its 26th winter and is brimming with hand- crafted, ice-sculpted art.
The power of the midnight sun will be harnassed to create an ice hotel that doesn't melt


The creators of Sweden’s famous melting Icehotel have revealed plans for a new ice venture which will have one key difference: guests will be able to stay all year round.
FEATURE: Design: Icy reception


As the original Icehotel near Kiruna celebrates its 25th birthday, we take a look at some of this year’s stunning rooms
Sweden's Icehotel invites guests to design and build bespoke suites


Northern Sweden’s isolated Icehotel is inviting its guests to design and build their own ice suites, with successful suggestions being maintained for the designer's exclusive use throughout the season.
MORE NEWS
Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel launches destination spa with sacred Hawaiian cultural concept
The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, an Autograph Collection property in Hawaii, US, has opened its 22,000 sq ft indoor-outdoor Spa at Mauna Kea as the final step in the property’s overall renovation, which has cost more than US$180 million (€166 million, £140 mill
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
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Glow beyond protection: meet Comfort Zone Hydramemory Hybrid Glow SPF 30
Sun protection is no longer just about shielding the skin – it's about enhancing it. [more...]

Longevity in spas: a strategic choice, not a default setting
Longevity has become one of the most debated concepts in contemporary wellness. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Barr + Wray Ltd

Barr + Wray has more than 60 years’ experience in the design and delivery of world-class spa and wel [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

26-27 Jun 2026

The Longevity Show

Tobacco Docks, London, United Kingdom
03-05 Jul 2026

World Championship in Massage

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
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FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS