The Ice Hotel in Quebec City

Well, I just had an interesting weekend. On Valentine’s day my girlfriend announced that she was taking me to the Ice Hotel, I knew this was going to be a very different experience.

The Ice Hotel, as the name implies is made of completely of Ice. It has around 30 rooms for guests, two bars, a chapel, and an area with a sauna and hot tubs for the hotel guests. During the day- until 8 o’clock, visitors are allowed to walk through the entire facility, but after 8 the guest rooms and sauna area are off limits.

Once you have checked in, you are given an information session which explains how the sleeping works.  When you enter your room you find a bag which contains four items: your sleeping bag, a pillow, a blanket, and another thin nylon bag. First, you get into the nylon bag, then you get into the sleeping bag.  Then you go to sleep. The sauna and hot tubs are open all through the night so if you do need to warm up you can go back there.

In each room there is a bed made of ice. On top of this is a thin mattress, reminiscent of a gym mat. On top of the mat there are a couple of furs. That’s what you put your sleeping bag on.

I slept very soundly. The combination of fresh air and the warmth of the sleeping bag were magic. My girlfriend on the other hand did not fare so well. She woke up several times complaining about the cold. Then finally, at around 6 am, went to the hot tub.

Would I recommend the experience- yes. Would I do it again? Not for a while…

Check out my photos of the place here.

For the hotel website go to http://www.icehotel-canada.com/

Tags: Hotels, Leisure Travel, travel