Every now and then you come across extreme holiday options that are so different from the ones you are used to. They appeal to the spirit of the adventurer who looks for something beyond the ordinary; someone who is no longer satisfied with the same old humdrum routine of holidaying in 5-star hotels, lazing around in pools, dining in gourmet restaurants, striking pretty poses in front of popular landmarks and going back with box after box of curios and souvenirs. Such people think nothing of camping in a God-forsaken strip of the dessert; or hiking down a perilous trail, miles away from civilization; or living in a converted nuclear bunker located underground.
In keeping with that spirit of exploration, here’s yet another holiday option that is nothing like anything else you’ve come before. Think Norway, think icy winters, think frozen surroundings, and think sub zero accommodations! If you still haven’t got the drift of what I am trying to stay, there’s no point in wasting more time. Presenting the Snow Hotel in Kirkenes, Norway – a place which, as the name suggests, is made completely from ice!
The average temperature at the Snow Hotel is between -4 and -6 degrees Celsius. It is built from scratch every winter after it melts away the previous spring. The construction of this hotel is done by the same team of artists that take credit for the very popular Lainio Snow Village in Finland. An overnight stay in this hotel will put you back by about 1705 NOKS which is £145 per person per night.
Given its rather remote location, the Snow Hotel is one of the best places to spot the Aurora Borealis each winter between November 21 and January 21. As you can imagine, that further adds to the charm and intrigue of this highly stylized igloo that has 20+ guest rooms all crafted from ice; the cheerfully warm restaurant, Lavvo, that serves breakfast and dinner; and the Snow Bar that offers “spirit”-ual fortification, if you know what I mean.
The electric and bio toilets are located outside the suites and although there is no running water in them, you can take consolation in the fact that they are heated. Should you find yourself unable to cope with the chilly living quarters (and that’s putting it mildly) you can bunk in the Lavvo restaurant that has a few beds. Rest assured, every possible convenience you could hope for in this Arctic town is made available for you, including a spa a short distance from the hotel.
Many times people go for holidays and end up in places they describe as having “nothing to write home about”. The Snow hotel is not one of these places. Trust me; you’ll have plenty to write home about, and then probably some more!
