Stay in an ice hotel

“At 10pm, after a few minutes in the warm building in front of a fireplace, I headed to bed. On top of the bed’s ice base sat a straw mattress and over that, a reindeer hide, known to be one of the most insulating materials on earth (and locally sourced, to boot). On top of that lay a sleeping bag built to preserve warmth in temperatures as cold as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. From inside it, only my face was exposed to the air. I lay on my back, waiting to see how it felt. To my surprise, I had never before felt cozier, perfectly warm down to my pinky toe and gazing out at the curious blue refractions of light all around me.”

“I had everything a girl who chills easily might need to stay toasty in a room that officially clocked in at 26 degrees Fahrenheit the night of my stay: I slept in those monstrous gloves, thermal underwear, thick wool socks, and a hat. I wouldn’t call it my soundest night of sleep ever, but it was one of the most enjoyable. When I woke periodically throughout the night, it was with curiosity and I was glad I’d done so. I wanted some waking moments in here, too.”

“My son and I were OK to sleep in the Ice Hotel room but my husband who is significantly taller, left early to go back to the normal hotel room. His main issue was he's a side sleeper and can't sleep very well on his back. The sleeping bags are lined with silk (I think) and you warm up super fast. Everything looks so uncomfortable when you view it as the tourist but when you're in it, it's surprisingly warm and comfy.”