|  Situated in
northern Lapland in Sweden the Ice hotel is fabricated from over 30,000 tonnes
of snow and 4,000 tonnes of ice and has to be rebuilt every year. The hotel has
60 rooms including the guest suites, a chapel, an Absolut Ice Bar, a cinema and
an ice art gallery. It is constructed between October and December by a collection
of local builders and artists from all over the world.
Each year the Ice hotel is different with different artists inputting their ideas and
creating new masterpieces. The ice they use comes from the River Torne, next to the hotel,
which is frozen over for most of the year. The ice produced is of the highest quality;
crystal clear. One season they constructed an ice replica of London's globe theatre and held
various concerts.
It is by far one of the most intriguing places to visit if a little cold; the ambient temperature
inside the hotel is around -4 degrees Celsius. On arrival you are given an extra thermal sleeping
bag and warm outer clothes. Despite being crafted from blocks of ice and snow the beds are remarkably
warm thanks to the reindeer skin coverings and special sleeping bags. In the morning you are brought
a hot cup of lingonberry juice before a trip to the sauna! If that's not your thing then go straight
to the buffet breakfast included in the price.
The Absolut Ice bar is regarded as one of the most stylish bars in the world
and a very trendy place to hang out. There are also tours available from the hotel for adventurous types
such as snow mobiling, dog sledding, safaris and even ice sculpting.
Visiting the Ice hotel most certainly is an inspirational trip!
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