I touch something icy cold, open my eyes, and see a friendly ice reindeer sculpture. Imagine sleeping in a room of ice, sipping a cocktail from an ice glass, and donning a thermal suit just for a bar visit.
Some people might think this all sounds a bit crazy, but for me, it’s just part of my job—and a doorway into some of the most unique cold-weather experiences travellers can have.
If you’re curious about sleeping on ice, sipping chilly cocktails from iceglasses, or simply surviving in these frozen wonderlands, you’re in the right place.
I’ve had the rare opportunity to work in two of the most famous snowhotels in Northern Europe and to experience one of the UK’s best-known icebars.
This article offers insights and practical tips for making the most of these icy adventures and explains why they’re worth considering for your next memorable trip.
This article isn’t written from a brochure or a press trip – it’s written from the inside, with frozen fingers, early mornings, and a lot of curious guests asking the same questions over and over again.
In this guide, I’ll share 3 unique and memorable ice experiences with you:
Before we step inside each icy destination, let’s set the scene: whether you’re planning a trip to Lapland, dreaming about staying in an ice hotel in Finland, or simply wondering “Are there any ice bars in the UK?”, this article has you covered.
By the end, you’ll be equipped to choose the right ice experience for your budget, tolerance for cold, and bucket-list goals. Warm socks recommended!
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Snowhotel Kirkenes Norway
open 365 days a year
Let’s start with the place where snow and ice weren’t just an experience—it was my workplace.
Snowhotel Kirkenes is located in far northern Norway, close to the Russian border, where winter doesn’t gently arrive—it takes over completely.
What makes Snowhotel Kirkenes special?
Unlike many seasonal snow and ice hotel projects, Snowhotel Kirkenes & Gamme Northern Lights Cabins operates year-round, including summer when the Midnight Sun shines, and temperatures reach +15°C.
From the inside, it feels less like a hotel and more like a small Arctic village:
- A permanent ice hotel
- Traditional Gamme cabins (warm, cosy, perfect for northern lights)
- 2 restaurants and cosy Cabba Café
- Huskies and reindeer on-site
- Icebar to enjoy the drink from a real ice glass after dinner, and take many memorable photos.
Let’s look at the most common guest question: how do you sleep in an ice hotel?
Short answer: You’ll probably sleep surprisingly well. Key takeaway: The hotel prioritises warmth and comfort to ensure you get a good night’s sleep—these are not just gimmicks.
Long answer:
- The temperature inside the Snowhotel rooms stays fairly stable, usually around -4°C.
- Beds are carved from ice but covered with thick mattresses and reindeer hides.
- You’re given a high-quality Arctic sleeping bag designed for extreme cold.
I saw guests arrive worried they wouldn’t sleep, then return amazed at how warm and comfortable they were.
👉 Real insider tip:
never pull the balaclava over your nose and mouth. Moisture from breathing will make things colder, not warmer.
After covering how to sleep, another classic guest concern:
How do you actually stay warm in an ice hotel?
It’s all about layers and common sense:
- Thermal base layers (no cotton)
- Wool socks (one good pair, not five tight ones)
- Use a balaclava given to you by the staff; it’s better than your hat, which gets lost when you turn your head.
Ironically, wearing too much can make you sweat, which makes you colder. Key takeaway: Trust the sleeping bag to keep you warm and wear layers when you go to sleep. Remove one layer if it’s too warm, but keep it inside your sleeping bag; it’ll stay warm enough to wear in the morning.
Once guests are reassured about warmth, another practical concern always follows:
Are there bathrooms in ice hotels?
Yes. And no, they are not made of ice.
If you’re wondering if there are bathrooms in ice hotels, relax—bathrooms and showers are always located in warm, nearby areas.
Nobody expects you to shower at -10°C… yet.
How much does it cost to stay in an ice hotel?
For those asking how much it costs to stay in a snow hotel, prices vary by season, but generally:
- Expect around €200–€400 pp per night, including the “Arctic experience,” full breakfast, and a 3-course dinner.
Consider this not just an expense, but an investment in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It’s akin to buying a front-row ticket to nature’s most spectacular Northern Lights show.
Is it cheap? No.
Is it worth doing once? Absolutely.
Arctic SnowHotel Rovaniemi
Ice Art and Finnish Precision
If Snowhotel Kirkenes feels like a real Arctic wilderness, Arctic Snowhotel Rovaniemi feels like stepping into a frozen art gallery.
Dessert served on ice plates
Dinner in ice restaurant
SnowHotel Rovaniemi
Ice Chapel
Creamy wild mushroom soup
Chicken as a main in ice an restaurant
Ice figures
Why Arctic Snowhotel Rovaniemi stands out?
This is one of the most famous ice hotels in Finland, rebuilt every single winter with a brand-new design.
Each season brings:
- Artist-designed ice rooms
- Ice sculptures and corridors
- An ice chapel
- The popular Ice Restaurant in Rovaniemi
When people talk about a Finland Ice Hotel, this is often the one they mean.
Dining at the Ice Restaurant Rovaniemi
Behind the scenes, I can say: Finns take ice hotels seriously.
It’s all about skill, logistics, and design. Imagine coordinating the delivery of 40 tons of crystal-clear river ice trucked overnight to ensure each room and sculpture maintains its pristine condition.
Such precision in logistics deepens the respect for Finnish craftsmanship and enhances the experiential magic for every visitor.
❄️ Did you know you can visit the Arctic SnowHotel Rovaniemi ice restaurant for dinner only? ❄️
In addition to the 3-course dinner, you will be given a nice tour of the snow hotel and visit the ice bar.
During my time as a tour guide, I saw many disappointed customers who had come to the SnowHotel hoping to book dinner at the last minute, only to find that all the tables were already sold out for that day and the next days.
I recommend booking this tour because it includes a 3-course dinner, transport from Rovaniemi to the SnowHotel and back, a guided tour of the snow hotel, where you will be told how the snow hotel is built, and you can visit the bedrooms, take lots of pictures, and imagine what it would be like to sleep in one of these rooms.
After dinner, there is time to visit the ice bar, have a drink from a real ice glass, and smash the glass by throwing it against the wall.
Many of my clients told me that this was the best experience they had in Rovaniemi.
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Sleeping here vs. Kirkenes
Both offer an unforgettable sleep-in-Snowhotel experience with fun, sipping a drink from an ice glass and making pictures of snow figures, but the Rovaniemi and Kirkenes locations are different.
- Rovaniemi is a more touristy, family-friendly destination for those seeking the Santa experience.
- Kirkenes is the real Arctic wilderness, remote, silent, a good place to see the Northern Lights.
Who should choose Arctic Snowhotel Rovaniemi?
This Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, Finland, is ideal if you:
- You are already visiting Rovaniemi
- Want to combine Santa Claus Village with something extraordinary
- Want to have an ice restaurant dinner experience
- It also has a nice ice bar where you can have a drink from an ice glass before bed.
Ice Bar Edinburgh
A Frozen Drink in the Heart of Scotland
Now for something completely different—no Arctic Circle required, but you can get the ice experience.
Are there any ice bars in the UK?
Yes. And the most famous one is the Ice Bar Edinburgh, also known as the Polar Ice Bar.
It’s the kind of place where you might see a Scotsman walk in confidently, only to leave speechless and wide-eyed, transformed by the icy marvel right in the heart of the city.
You don’t sleep here (thankfully), but it’s a fun, short ice experience right in the city centre.
Where is Polar Ice Bar Edinburgh?
If you’re asking where Polar Ice Bar Edinburgh is, it’s located just off George Street, making it easy to include in any Edinburgh itinerary.
What’s the experience like?
- You’re given a thermal cape
- The temperature sits around -6°C
- Drinks are served in ice glasses
The Polar Ice Bar Edinburgh drinks menu usually includes:
- the crisp, vibrant Classic Cosmo
- the sharp, icy-smooth Squeezys Margarita
- Non-alcoholic option
You’re not here for cocktail artistry—you’re here for the novelty.
Ice Bar in Edinburgh tickets: is it worth it?
Ice bar in Edinburgh tickets:
- £16-17 entry which includes 1 drink
- £21-22 entry which includes 2 drinks
- Entry for 30 minutes
My honest take:
- It’s short
- It’s not cheap
- But it is fun and memorable
If you want an ice experience without travelling to an ice hotel in Finland or Norway, this is a great alternative or an introduction for your next ice hotel experience.
If you enjoyed this, you’ll love: Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland & Everything Festive to See and Do
practical tips
Before You Go
Ice hotel: what to wear
- Thermal base layers
- Wool socks
- Skip cotton entirely
- Trust the equipment provided
Ice bar: what to expect
- Cold, but briefly
- Great photos
- A lot of fun
Ice Isn't as Scary as It Sounds
Working at Snowhotel Kirkenes, guiding at Arctic Snowhotel Rovaniemi, and sipping a drink at Ice Bar Edinburgh taught me one thing: ice isn’t the enemy; poor preparation is. Whether you’re curious about Snowhotel Finland, planning your first Arctic Snowhotel Rovaniemi stay, or just looking for Edinburgh Ice Bar tickets, these experiences are for curious travellers, not extreme adventurers.
All you really need is an open mind, good socks, and the thrill of tossing aside the thermal suit in triumph as you embrace the cold with confidence.
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your weirdest cold-weather tip or favourite icy experience?
Share your thoughts in the comments. Your insights might inspire others and help us all build a community of ice adventurers.
