FROZEN STAYS: INSIDE SWEDEN’S EVER-CHANGING ICE HOTEL

WHAT IT IS?

If you are ever looking for an experience in which you can be nestled in the enchanting winter wonderland, Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, is the place to go! The entrepreneur and founder, Yngve Bergqvist, created the Ice Hotel as a stunning example of niche tourism hospitality. They cater to guests with high adventurous experiences and create a memorable night by sleeping on ice beds and immersing themselves in the ice art and innovative architecture. Each year, this seasonal hotel gets rebuilt from ice and showcases the artistry and creativity of architects and designers who craft stunning rooms, intricate sculptures, and dazzling ice bars. The hotel glistens under the Northern Lights as if it is not unique enough because of its ever-changing structure. This seasonal hotel brings innovative ways of capturing visitors with a uniquely themed concept.

Designers like Nina and John Kauppi are duo designers with roots in the north and south of Sweden. They started working for the Ice Hotel 16 years ago, creating a new design for several suites every year. For the #30 anniversary, they had the honor of designing the ceremony hall. Jen Thomas Ivarosson & Mats Nilsson started their design studio in 2002 and they have done projects all over the world. For Ice the hotel anniversary they designed the Main Hall. Luc Vosin & Mathieu Brison French landscaper and interior designer started working with ice in 2012 and had the opportunity to design the ice bar for the celebration.

WHY IT´S COOL?

• Sustainable: By using the renewable material of ice found close to the rivers, the hotel offers a waste-free and eco-friendly experience.
• Unique experience: Each year the artist create a new way of honor the culture with new designs and techniques making it a unique experience.
• Cultural and artistic appeal: The artist’s sculptures and designs tell stories and capture the local traditions of the Sami people. This connection enhances the experience, allowing to feel closer to local tradition and culture.
• Exclusive: It’s unique design, limited availability, luxury amenities, and memorable experiences, such as watching the northern lights, make is very unique and not accessible for everyone.

WHY IT HAS FUTURE GROWTH POTENTIAL?

The Ice Hotel has future growth because of the increased demand for sustainable tourism. Travelers are seeking eco-friendly experiences. The Ice Hotel has been committed to using only natural materials to build the structure, minimizing environmental impact. They have also promoted the reconstruction process, which involves using renewable materials that can melt away into the natural spring. Also, during the last few years, the number of travelers seeking winter locations has increased, meaning that the hotel has the possibility of having higher demand in the future. Considering it changes yearly, it has a loyal customer base that can increase rapidly because the hotel will never showcase the same design twice.