What it's REALLY like to sleep in an ice hotel in Finland

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Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Sarah Puckett

Spending the night in a hotel made entirely of snow and ice sounded like an unforgettable adventure—and it definitely was. During our trip to Finnish Lapland, Tim and I decided to stay at the Arctic SnowHotel, located just outside of Rovaniemi, Finland. This hotel is rebuilt every winter, featuring intricately carved ice rooms, a snow sauna, and a full-on ice restaurant and bar.

Arctic SnowHotel hosted us on this experience, and as always, all opinions are our own!

We were excited (and a little nervous) to sleep in sub-freezing temperatures, but we were up for the challenge. What we didn’t expect? That one of us would last the full night in the SnowHotel room… and one of us wouldn’t. Here’s how our experience went!

A couple in winter attire strolls hand in hand through an icy tunnel at the Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, Finland. The walls and ceiling shimmer with snow and ice, while a blue illuminated ice sculpture glows majestically in the backdrop.

Table of Contents

What is the Arctic SnowHotel?

As the name suggests, the SnowHotel is made entirely of snow and ice, offering guests a truly Arctic overnight experience. The walls, ceilings, and furniture are sculpted from ice, creating an enchanting, peaceful atmosphere. Despite the frigid outdoor temperatures, the inside of the SnowHotel remains between 0 and -5 ºC at all times.

Experience the magic of an Ice Hotel in Lapland, Finland. A cozy bedroom made entirely of ice with soft purple lighting welcomes you. The bed features thick, dark bedding and fluffy pillows. Ice sculptures, including a whimsical character on the wall, add a touch of charm to this icy retreat.

Guests sleep in high-quality sleeping bags with fleece interiors, designed to keep them warm through the night. The experience is recommended for guests over 5 years old, and it’s suggested to only stay for one night—since the unique experience is best enjoyed as a short-term adventure!

In the heart of Lapland, Finland, a snow sculpture of a moose stands majestically at the Arctic SnowHotel. Its detailed antlers and textured fur are illuminated by a soft yellow light from above, creating a stunning silhouette against the snowy backdrop.

Inside the Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, two life-sized snow sculptures of cows stand majestically within an icy cave. The scene is bathed in ethereal purple and blue lighting, accentuating the intricate textures of ice and snow surrounding the cave's walls and floor.

Checking In & Getting Settled

We arrived in the afternoon and checked in at the main (heated!) reception building. One important thing to know is that SnowHotel rooms are open for public tours during the day. Guests cannot access their rooms until 9 PM, as visitors explore the corridors and admire the stunning ice sculptures.

At check-in, the staff gave us a guided tour of the SnowHotel and detailed instructions on how to stay warm, including:

How to properly use the extreme cold sleeping bags
Where to store our luggage (large bags stay at reception, and small carry-ons go in individual lockers in the warm building)
What to do if we got too cold (there’s a warm room with bunk beds available for anyone who needs it—more on that later!)

A person in a blue beanie and dark jacket kneels beside a bunk bed, adjusting a yellow sleeping bag. The room, reminiscent of the cozy interiors at Arctic SnowHotel, features light wooden furniture and a blue floor, bringing a touch of Lapland Finland indoors.

After check-in, we explored the SnowHotel’s beautiful ice corridors, themed snow rooms, and glowing ice sculptures. We even peeked inside the ice chapel, where couples can get married in a magical frozen setting. We learned that about 15 couples get married in the ice chapel every winter!

Sleeping in a SnowHotel Room: Who Made It Through the Night?

At 9 PM, the SnowHotel rooms became exclusive to overnight guests. We headed to our room, which had an ice-carved bed, soft reindeer hides, and glowing snow art on the walls. Our room was called XYZ and featured beautiful sculptures of turtles and frogs. Everything looked incredible—but could we actually sleep in it?

Two people sit in sleeping bags on a bed made of ice inside the Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, Finland. Smiling, they raise their arms amid the room's glowing blue and white decorative walls. Both sport winter hats, embracing the chill and unique charm of their icy abode.

We bundled up and climbed into our thermal sleeping bags. The trick was to keep your face inside the sleeping bag while leaving just a small opening for air, which was easier said than done. If you’ve been camping or slept in a sleeping bag before though, it’s really not any different.

Two people sit on a bed inside an ice-themed room at the Arctic SnowHotel. The walls and sculptures, crafted from ice, exhibit intricate shapes and patterns, including abstract designs. The atmosphere is cool and blue-toned, evoking a winter wonderland in Lapland Finland.

Surprisingly, I actually slept pretty well! Once I got used to the cocoon-like sleeping bag, I stayed warm and slept through the night. Tim, on the other hand? Not so much.

He decided the warm room sounded like a better idea. The warm building, where guests store their small bags, has bunk beds available for anyone who gets too cold. He made the move and slept there, while I toughed it out in the SnowHotel room! To be fair, he’d been fending off a cold and didn’t want to risk it in the freezing temps.

The Arctic SnowHotel Experience: Amenities & Activities

Staying at the Arctic SnowHotel is more than just sleeping in a SnowHotel room—there are plenty of unique experiences to make the most of your stay.

🧖‍♀️ Finnish Sauna & Snow Sauna

One of the highlights is the traditional Finnish sauna, which is included in the overnight stay. Guests can also experience the one-of-a-kind snow sauna, where hot steam rises from walls made of ice. It’s the perfect way to warm up before heading back out into the cold! We opted for a 2-hour nighttime sauna experience, which included the traditional wooden Finnish sauna, an outdoor hot tub (for aurora borealis viewing!), and snow sauna. The snow sauna was so fun, and made us laugh whenever the walls would drip on us!

A wooden sauna interior with two-tiered benches on the right side, reminiscent of a cozy retreat in Arctic SnowHotel, Lapland Finland. A small window is set above the benches, and a black bucket with a wooden ladle rests on the lower bench, capturing the essence of Finnish tradition.

A dome-shaped igloo made of snow glows warmly at night in the heart of Lapland. The igloo's small entrance and an opening at the top emit a subtle icy blue light, creating a serene contrast against the nighttime sky—a true marvel reminiscent of Finland's enchanting Ice Hotel.

🍽 Ice Restaurant & Ice Bar

Dinner at the Ice Restaurant was another highlight. Every table, chair, and even the plates were made of ice.

Two people in winter clothing sit at an ice table inside an Ice Hotel. The man wears a yellow jacket and beanie, while the woman sports a blue jacket and white beanie. They appear to be enjoying a meal in a cozy, illuminated setting inspired by the Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, Finland.

Tim ordered the elk, and I got the salmon. A delicious creamy soup came as an appetizer, and the dessert was a decadent berry cake on a beautiful snowflake plate sculpted from ice.

Located in Lapland, Finland, the Arctic SnowHotel offers a unique dining experience with tables and walls crafted entirely from ice. Tables are draped with brown animal fur, adorned with plates and glasses. Artistic carvings and colored lighting accents add to the enchanting atmosphere.

A slice of cake topped with a dollop of red jelly and a sprinkle of nuts rests elegantly on a snowflake-shaped glass plate, evoking the icy charm of Lapland, Finland. The dark background highlights its light, creamy texture reminiscent of desserts served at the Arctic SnowHotel.

The Ice Bar serves cold drinks in frozen glasses, but if you order a warm drink like hot chocolate or warm berry juice (a Finnish specialty!) it comes in a paper cup.

A person sits at an ice bar in the Arctic SnowHotel, where bottles of alcohol rest on a shelf carved from glistening ice. Inside this igloo-like structure in Lapland, Finland, "ICE BAR" is etched behind the counter, and the lighting casts a cool ambiance.

A person wearing a yellow jacket and green beanie smiles while clinking a paper cup with another's, seated in an ice café at the Arctic SnowHotel. The cozy ambiance radiates warmth amid the icy walls and surfaces, capturing the essence of Lapland, Finland.

🎣 Ice Fishing on a Frozen Lake

For an extra adventure, we opted to try ice fishing. We walked out onto a frozen lake, manually drilled a hole using a giant ice drill, and set up our fishing lines. Did we catch anything? Not a single fish. But standing in the middle of the frozen Arctic lake, having a new experience in a beautiful snowy landscape, made the experience totally worth it.

A person bundled up in a blue winter coat with a fur-lined hood and beige mittens kneels in deep snow outside the Arctic SnowHotel. They are smiling and holding a pole. Snow-covered trees and buildings are visible in the background under a gray sky.

Three people on a frozen lake in Lapland, Finland, surrounded by snow. One person in a blue jacket points outward, another in yellow takes a photo, and the third sits on a sled. Snowy trees line the background under a gray sky near the Arctic SnowHotel.

The Ice Chapel: A Fairytale Wedding Venue

One of the most magical parts of the Arctic SnowHotel is the Ice Chapel—a stunning, all-ice venue that looks straight out of a winter fairytale. The chapel is completely rebuilt each year, with intricate ice-carved pews, an altar, and glowing snow walls that create an ethereal atmosphere. The details change every season, so no two chapels are ever exactly the same.

In the magical Arctic SnowHotel, a person kneels with a ring, proposing to another standing amidst icy walls and soft blue lighting. The intricate carvings complement the fur-covered benches lining the aisle in this enchanting Lapland Finland setting.

Two people stand inside an ice chapel at the Arctic SnowHotel, with blue lighting and intricate ice carvings on the walls. They are surrounded by fur-covered benches and look at each other, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance in this Lapland wonder.

This breathtaking chapel isn’t just for display—couples actually get married here! Imagine exchanging vows inside a frozen wonderland, with candlelit ice sculptures surrounding you. Even if you’re not planning a wedding, it’s worth stepping inside to admire the artistry and peaceful ambiance. The space is open for visitors during the day, so guests staying overnight in the SnowHotel can take a quiet moment to soak in the unique beauty of the chapel before bedtime.

Additional Activities at Arctic SnowHotel

There are lots of other activities at the SnowHotel, too, including:

Electric snow scooter safari
Ice sculpting
Reindeer farm visit and sleigh ride
Snowshoeing
Huskey ride at Santa Claus Village

A person in a yellow jacket sits on a snowmobile amidst the snowy expanse of Lapland, Finland. Several other snowmobiles are lined up nearby under an overcast sky, with trees framing this wintry scene.

🎟 Entry to Snowman World

A stay at the Arctic SnowHotel also includes free entry to Snowman World in Santa Claus Village. This fun winter park features:
✔ A snow maze
✔ Two snow slides you can sled down
✔ Ice skating
✔ Another ice bar and restaurant
✔ More ice sculptures

It’s a fun little bonus, especially if you’re already visiting Santa Claus Village while in Lapland!

A person in a yellow jacket and beanie stands next to someone in a snowman costume with a carrot nose and big smile. They are outside an Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, surrounded by trees and snow-covered structures, capturing the enchanting winter wonderland perfectly.

Inside an ice cave at the Arctic SnowHotel, a person in a yellow jacket and snow boots salutes a large snow sculpture of a backpack-wearing bear. The smooth cave walls glow softly, capturing the enchanting spirit of Lapland.

Buffet Breakfast & Wake-Up Service

After a night spent sleeping beneath snow and ice, you can wake up to hot drinks delivered to your room (you can also request a Northern Lights wake-up call if the aurora is visible). The buffet breakfast in the Log Restaurant was a warm and much-needed reward. The spread included cheeses, pastries, eggs, bacon, fresh bread, fruit, and more—a delicious way to start the day before heading back into the Arctic cold.

A hand holds a white plate with a sugar-coated twisted bread stick on a skewer. In the background, reminiscent of Lapland Finland, a rustic setting with logs and glowing embers evokes the warm comfort found at Arctic SnowHotel's Ice Hotel.

At the buffet table, a delightful spread awaits: hard-boiled eggs, crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh cucumbers. Blue bowls brim with tasty dips. Plates and utensils are neatly stacked at this Arctic SnowHotel in Lapland, Finland.

What’s Included in an Overnight Stay?

Your overnight stay at the SnowHotel includes:
✔ Guided tour of the SnowHotel
✔ Instructions + high-quality sleeping bags with fleece interiors
✔ Shower and toilet facilities in the main building
✔ Wake-up service with hot drinks (optional Northern Lights wake-up call!)
✔ Buffet breakfast in the Log Restaurant
✔ Traditional Finnish sauna (bring a swimsuit!)
✔ Diploma for spending the night in Arctic conditions

In a blue-lit room at the Arctic SnowHotel, illuminated ice sculptures of a key and heart stand majestically. The text "Key to Happiness" adorns the wall, while snow and ice cover the floor, enhancing the icy ambiance. A small sign reads "Ice Bar Chamber.

What We Loved & What to Know Before Booking

✅ Pros:

✔ Once-in-a-lifetime experience
✔ Incredible ice architecture and sculptures
✔ Snow sauna & ice restaurant add to the adventure
✔ Great location for Northern Lights viewing above the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland
✔ Entry to Snowman World included

⚠️ Cons:

❌ Sleeping in the cold is not for everyone (Tim can confirm this!)
❌ Rooms don’t have doors, just curtains, and the bathroom is shared.
❌ You can’t access your room until 9 PM

Who is this experience for?

If you love adventure travel and bucket-list experiences, the Arctic SnowHotel is worth it. If you’re looking for luxury and comfort, you may prefer the glass igloo option instead.

A snowy landscape unfolds with several glass igloos featuring green frames, neatly aligned. In the background, a large gray building, reminiscent of an Arctic SnowHotel, stands amidst a forest of tall trees. Snowy paths weave between the structures in this Lapland-inspired setting.

Aerial view of eight glass igloos in a grid, surrounded by snow-covered forest in Lapland, Finland. Each igloo has a small entryway and stairs. A wooden building is nestled near the igloos, with tall pine trees filling the background, evoking the charm of an Arctic SnowHotel.

Final Thoughts: Would We Stay Again?

Spending the night at the Arctic SnowHotel was one of the most unique experiences of our trip to Lapland. Even though Tim didn’t make it through the whole night in the SnowHotel room, we’re both so glad we did it. Between the ice fishing, saunas, and incredible ice architecture, it was more than just a hotel stay—it was an Arctic adventure.

Would we do it again? Probably not. Once was enough! But if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in Lapland, this is definitely one to consider.

Would you sleep in a SnowHotel? Let us know in the comments!

What It’s REALLY Like to Sleep in an Ice Hotel in Lapland, Finland – Arctic SnowHotel Review

What is the Arctic SnowHotel?

Checking In & Getting Settled

Sleeping in a SnowHotel Room: Who Made It Through the Night?