Quebec Gets its Very Own Ice Hotel
For those who have not seen enough of the white stuff already this winter, there is the chance to head up to Quebec and sleep on a solid ice bed in your own ice-carved luxury hotel room.
The popularity of the original ice hotel in Sweden shows this unique experience is on many travelers’ must-do lists. Quebec’s Hotel de Glace opened on January 20, 2011 and this year’s theme honors the earth’s biodiversity.
Guests do not have to stay overnight to experience this amazing luxury igloo constructed entirely from blocks of ice, in Sweden’s case “borrowed” from the Torne River. Once the ice structure is completed, it is filled with ice carved chandeliers, sea life sculptures, furniture and a massive ice bar, colorfully lit to create a magical atmosphere. Even the glasses which the Absolut vodka-based drinks are served in are made from solid ice. Tours of the new hotel and icebar will take place each afternoon with check-in of overnight guests commencing at 9pm.
The 88 resident guests are invited to use the spa, sauna and bar before being zipped into artic-style sleeping bags. Tips from former guests include wearing long silk underwear and putting hand warmers in your boots to prevent them freezing by morning! Waking up in the eerie light in complete silence is part of the magic of this experience.
Prices start around CAN$230 per night, but you may want to upgrade to a specialty suite which has a fireplace and hot tub!
Inevitably the short season of this luxury hotel is a mere three month window before the melt sets in, so book a room at the Hotel de Glace before March 27 to be part of this inaugural year.
by Gillian at Luxique Luxury Hotels
