Frozen brains, giant lizards and hot dog stands: The best rooms in this year’s Icehotel

This is the 31st year of the hotel

A hot dog stand at the Icehotel (Asaf Kliger)

Frozen forests, giant lizards and hot dog stands – the first pictures of the rooms at this year’s Icehotel have been revealed, and they’re just as creative as ever.

The famed hotel in Swedish Lapland is rebuilt every winter, using frozen water from the neighbouring River Torne, before the whole thing melts again come spring.

Each room is designed and created by a different artist or artistic team.

These creatives usually hail from around the world, but for 2020/21 the coronavirus pandemic and accompanying travel restrictions has limited it to Swedish natives.

“The pandemic forced us to think differently, but the result is a stunning homage to Sweden,” said the hotel’s creative director, Luca Roncoroni.  

“The 31st edition of Icehotel will be a memorable one! The 24 Swedish-based artists created concepts that will mesmerise our guests, giving them a much needed escape from the reality of this year.”

This year there are 12 individually designed ice suites on offer. There is also a year-round hotel and bar called Icehotel 360, which boasts six suites.

Rooms include “Toybox”, a suite inspired by classic toys; “Sauna” which is, you guessed it, modelled on a sauna (while being a lot colder); and “You are here”, featuring an oversized brain and emotional map.

This year all the suites have their own QR code that can be scanned to hear an audio guide explaining the story behind each art project.

British travellers are currently allowed to enter Sweden with no need to quarantine or to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test.

However, on return to the UK, travellers must quarantine for 10 days or, from 15 December, they can opt to pay to have a Lamp test five days after leaving a non-travel corridor country. If it’s negative, arrivals can stop self-isolating early.

For Brits unable to make it to Swedish Lapland this winter, the hotel, in partnership with travel company Discover the World, has released a 360-degree virtual tour for online explorers.