Quebec’s Hotel de Glace, or Ice Hotel, is located just 10 minutes from Quebec City and is the only hotel in North America to be made of ice and snow. Over the past 16 years, the Ice Hotel has welcomed over one million visitors with nearly 50,000 braving a frosty overnight stay. Each year the hotel is newly constructed with over 500 tons of ice and 30,000 tons of man-made snow. Once temperatures are cold enough (usually when the thermometer dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a week straight) it takes crews about 6 weeks of working 24/7 to fully construct the hotel from the ground up. Most years the hotel is open from early January through the end of March, but exact dates vary year to year based on the weather.
My visit to the Hotel de Glace was graciously provided by Quebec City Tourism, but as always all opinions remain my own.
Not only is the Ice Hotel completely rebuilt anew every year, the hotel is completely redesigned with a different layout and theme with no two designs alike. Rivers, in every iteration. From frozen glacial streams to mysterious underground rivers, the 44 rooms and suites of this year’s Ice Hotel takes visitors on a frozen exploration of the world’s waters.
The common spaces are filled with frosty whimsy that enchants the young and young at heart. My visit started with with a spin down the hotel’s ice slide. Listening to the giggles of glee from those that zoomed down the slide before me, I was surprised to find myself inching slowly down the slide. Glacially slow. Turns out jeans(even with base layer underneath) are not the best apparel for the ice slide, make sure you’ve got some good snow pants on if you want some speed with your slide.There is also a gorgeous ice chapel on site for couples looking to tie the knot in polar style.
A highlight of any visit to the Hotel de Glace is a visit to the Ice Bar, where drinks are served are served in glasses made from (what else?) ice. I recommend getting a cocktail with Neige Ice Cider, a Quebecois specialty liqueur, though the Accident de Ski-doo (featuring spruce beer and topped with a spruce sprig) is a fun choice as well.
Each room is individually designed, with some larger suites even coming with their own fireplace (for ambiance only, as a too warm room could be disastrous). While the bed platforms are constructed of ice, they are topped with a wooden platform, comfortable mattress with a cozy sleeping bag delivered to the room just before bedtime.My time in Quebec was short so I didn’t get a chance to spend the night here, but I would totally give it a shot on my next winter time visit to Quebec.
So how does one actually sleep in an ice hotel, you may ask?
-First, overnight guests are only permitted in their rooms from 9pm to 9am. Prior to that guests are taken through an informational training session for their frosty overnight stay and can take part in activities or warm up in a sauna or hot tub.
-Guests are advised to dress in layers; starting with a moisture wicking base layer, a warm middle layer such as flannel or fleece and topped a good winter coat/snow pants with hats, gloves and scarves as inside temperatures will constantly be around 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
-There are no en suite bathrooms. Plumbing and subarctic temperatures usually don’t do well together, so for logistic purposes bathrooms are located in a separate heated building on site.
-When its time for bed you wiggle your way into a warm liner and mummy-style sleeping bag (everything is covered but your face) with an additional blanket on top (boots are left at the side of your bed for any middle of the night bathroom trips). Turn off the lights and settle in the complete darkness and stillness for what many guests say is the best sleep they’ve ever had.
Good to know
The Hotel de Glace is open daily for tours. You can choose from a wide range of tours from self guided to a behind-the-scenes guided tour. Prices start at $16 CAD for adults, $14 for teens(13-17) and $8 for children(6-12). Children 5 and under are free.
Overnight packages start at $399.50 CAD per person and include a room at Four Points Sheraton Quebec to store your luggage and to shower.
Want to live out your Frozen fantasies at Quebec’s Ice Hotel? Pin this post for later!
Tamara (Globe Guide) says
Yup I concur…it’s definitely “cool” 😉
Brianna says
Ice cold baby!
Events Panda says
Wow! Amazing and really very nice hotel!
It is the perfect gateway to fell the cold….. Great and want to travel here in my next trip list….
Brianna says
Definitely a bucket list item for sure!
Charles McCool says
Cooler than cool? That’s my nickname! 😀 Guess I better visit this place.
Brianna says
You’d fit right in!
Andi says
That entrance is stunning! I would not stay there, I can’t imagine sleeping on ice, but I would have a meal and a drink. It is beautiful!
Brianna says
Andi, the drink was my favorite part!
Jessica says
I’ll take one of the “cool” cocktails!
Brianna says
Steve now demands that all of his cocktails be served in glasses made from ice.
Angela says
These hotels are incredible and the ice sculptures are mind blowing. There’s one in Sweden I’ve visited – very expensive mind.
Brianna says
I’ll have to visit the one in Sweden so I can compare;)
BonBon says
Totally cooler than cool… brrrr…. Im sure it’s super cold but super beautiful:) #mustvisit
Brianna says
Definitely worth a visit!
Heather says
This is amazing. I’d love to go for a tour. The price tag’s too rich for my blood for overnight but how awesome would it be to sit and have those ice cocktails!
Brianna says
The drinks alone are worth a visit 🙂
IamVagabond says
I am sold.. I am looking this up and booking my trip.. Thanks for sharing and letting us see this beauty.. Soon you will find a few images of this place on my site (hopefully) http://www.IamVagabond.com
Brianna says
You will love it! Will you stay the night?
Anne says
We were there just yesterday and it is amazing. Personally though I don’t fancy an overnight stay as the thought of running to the bathroom in my undies in the night is enough to freeze my blood!
Brianna says
I would brave a night there just for the bragging rights:)
Connie Reed says
I’ve always wanted to stay in the Ice Hotel. It’s out of my price range, so I’m glad to see it’s open for tours at a reasonable price.
Brianna says
I had fun during my visit, I’m sure you’d love it!
Carol Colborn says
Sleeping on ice! What a thought.
Brianna says
Would you do it?
Sue Reddel says
Very interesting – I’d be willing to spend at least one night just to experience it. It certainly looks really beautiful and different. Just not a fan of the cold 😉
Brianna says
I’m typically not either, just make sure you bundle up!
Mags says
I’ve always been curious about ice hotels. I looked into one in Norway, but I think the tour is more my speed. I’ve been to ice bars before and those are fun but VERY chilly. I can’t imagine spending an entire night!
Brianna says
I would be game to try one night.
Dean says
I can’t think of anything cooler (see what I did there?) than spending a night in an Ice Hotel. It is certainly something I hope to do one day.
I had no idea how much preparation there is before you get to your room to sleep.
Brianna says
It is quite the process to get ready for bed isn’t it?
Laura says
This is really one of the coolest concepts. I can’t believe they build it differently every year. I bet that’s a really fun job to be involved in the planning. I would love to stay there!
Brianna says
It’s impressive isn’t it?
Jempi says
What a great atmosphere but my ass already starts freezing off by looking at the pictures 😉
Would definitely love to stay over in an ice hotel when I ever have the chance. Bucket list worthy.
Brianna says
Just be sure to bundle up! 😉
Lotte says
So cool (the only appropriate word to describe this;-)! Even though I am not very good with cold, I would love to spend a night here:-)
Brianna says
A night here would make a great story wouldn’t it?
Madi says
I’ve been to Quebec City so many times and still have never stayed here! Definitely something to consider for next time 🙂
Brianna says
Definitely worth a visit on your next trip!
Elaine J Masters says
Sounds wonderful. I wasn’t sure how one could sleep in those chilly conditions but it sounds like all’s well thought out. Beautiful pictures too.
Brianna says
Thanks, they say it’s actually quite cozy!
Terumi says
I think I would like to visit but I’m feeling chilly just thinking about staying overnight.
Brianna says
But it would make for a good story later!
Katharina says
Wow soon cool! 😛 From outside it looks like an ice cathedral. It’s a nice idea to build it differently every year. Would love to assist in its design and construction
Brianna says
Wouldn’t it be fun to help plan it?
Vicky and Buddy says
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to spend a night in an ice hotel! Even though I hate the cold, it’s something that isn’t very common so I’d love to experience it. And I just love the creativity that comes with it!
Brianna says
It would give you great bragging rights 🙂
Mar Pages says
I’ve heard so much about it, but this is the first time I’ve seen a proper review. Thank you! It looks amazing, I can’t believe it gets rebuilt every year. Never even thought about how they would make it practical, but it makes so much sense now!
Brianna says
Would you spend the night?
Jennifer Melroy says
Oh this looks amazing. I so want to spend the night in the hotel. It seems like fun and cold. Very cold.
Brianna says
They say its pretty cozy once you’re in for the night.
Cindy Collins says
Looks so cold but awesome!
Brianna says
That’s pretty much the Ice Hotel in a nutshell
Lyssie says
My sister was trying to convince me to go here this winter! I read some reviews that said it was too cold to get a good night’s sleep though, but I’d still definitely be willing to try it. Looks amazing! Can’t even believe the detail they put into a place that only lasts a few months. I’m obsessed with this idea!!
Maja Mexatia says
How amazing is this place?! I am not sure I would sleep here (I always need to pee during the night hahaha), but would love to do the tour. Looks absolutely stunning.