If you’re looking for a unique, once-in-a-lifetime experience in a magical winter wonderland, you can actually spend the night in hotel made completely out of ice!! The Hôtel de Glace in Quebec, Canada is the only Ice Hotel in North America, and it’s like something out of a fairytale. Here’s how to survive spending the night in the Hotel de Glace!
I remember flipping through bridal magazines and seeing the Ice Hotel for the first time… It was the most unique place I had ever seen. I always dreamed of what it would be like to actually stay there!!
This winter, that dream came true… I felt like Princess Elsa staying in my very own ice palace!
What does it look like inside the Ice Hotel?
Let me give you a tour of the Hotel de Glace! How gorgeous is this ice foyer?? And the ice chandelier?? There’s also an ice reception desk!
So many intricate ice and snow sculptures in the Ice Hotel!
Beds made of ice in the Ice Hotel
There are 45 rooms in the Hotel de Glace, each designed with a different theme. The beds are made of ice and the walls are beautifully sculpted snow. Some rooms even have their very own fireplaces!
Since the hotel melts in the summer, every winter the hotel is built from scratch, and every year it’s designed with a brand new theme. This year the hotel had a flower and garden theme.
So even if you’ve been to the Ice Hotel before, you can still go back the next year and the hotel will be completely different! And if you’re not sure about actually spending the night there, it’s still worth a visit to see all the incredible rooms!
How cold is it inside the Ice Hotel?
The temperature inside the Hotel de Glace stays about 23 degrees F, even if it is colder or warmer outside.
What do you wear to sleep in the Ice Hotel?
The Hotel de Glace provides you with cozy, super puffy sleeping bags designed for extreme temperatures down to -40 degrees! They say you can even sleep naked inside the sleeping bag and not get cold!
I slept in fleece-lined yoga pants, a 100% merino wool shirt, and thick 100% wool socks. I was warm and comfortable. I didn’t get cold, but I didn’t get hot either!
The most important thing they tell you is do not wear any cotton.
You may also want to bring a soft wool hat (beanie) to sleep in. That way you can have your head outside the sleeping bag and your head will stay warm. That may be more comfortable than having your head inside the sleeping bag.
The hallway to your magical ice room :)
Get Married at the Ice Hotel in the Ice Chapel
Right next to the Hotel de Glace, there’s a beautiful Ice Chapel!
How romantic would it be to get married here??
Or renew your vows here!
Is this the same Ice Hotel from the Hallmark movie?
Yes!! I haven’t seen the movie (Winter Castle), but I want to watch it now!! :)
So gorgeous.
Have a Drink at the Ice Hotel at the Ice Bar
And of COURSE there’s an Ice Bar!!!!
Every guest of the Ice Hotel gets a free welcome cocktail in an ice glass!!
How fun are these?? You can drink them while warming up by the fire!!
Ice Hotel Tip — Don’t Drink Too Much Before Bed!
You don’t want to have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom! But if you do have to go, they do have heated bathrooms inside the Ice Hotel!
I am so obsessed with this gorgeous Ice Bar!!
Slide Down the Ice Slide at the Ice Hotel
There’s even an Ice Slide inside the hotel!!
This may seriously be the most fun hotel I’ve ever stayed in!!
Love the ice stairs!!
Warm Up in the Outdoor Spa
Right before bed it is recommended to warm up in the outdoor spa. Not only is it super magical under the stars, surrounded by snow, but relaxing in the hot tub helps raise your body temperature so you stay warm all night.
Go Tubing at the Winter Playground
There is so much more to do at the Ice Hotel besides visit the hotel!!! There’s also a GIANT outdoor snow tubing park!!
There are over 35 tall, steep slides made out of snow that you can zoom down in a inner tube!
You can even hold on to your friends and family’s tubes so you can ride together and go faster!!
How crazy is this SUPER STEEP slide??! I loved it, but it was also super freaky!!! So much fun!!
Transport to a Tropical Paradise at the Indoor Water Park
After a fun day in the snow, you can warm up in a tropical adventure land at one of the largest indoor water parks in North America!
Bora Parc is open year round and is just steps away from the Ice Hotel!
Here’s what all you can do at Bora Parc:
- 15 water slides
- 4000 square foot wave pool
- Lazy River
- FlowRider Surf Machine
- Hot tub
- Restaurant with terrace overlooking the park
There is so much to do at Valcartier. From the Ice Hotel, to the Winter Playground, to the Indoor Water Park, and so much more. Besides Disney, this is the most kid-friendly place I have ever been. It’s like the Disney of Canada!! If your kids love Frozen, they will LOVE this place! It is honestly a magical winter wonderland. If you want to do everything, plan for at least 2 days!!
Relax in Your Room — A “Real” Room
If you stay overnight at the Ice Hotel, you also automatically get a regular hotel room at the 4-star Hôtel Valcartier on the same night. This room is included with your stay at the Ice Hotel. This is where you will check in, keep your luggage, shower, etc.
When you book a stay at the Ice hotel, you also get:
- 10% discount on activities such as the Winter Playground or Bora Parc
- If you want to stay an extra day, you get a 20% discount on your Hôtel Valcartier room the night before and/or the night after your stay at the Ice Hotel
- Free access to the ice skating path!
The Hôtel Valcartier is literally just steps away from the Ice Hotel. We could see the Ice Hotel and the Winter Playground from our room! You can also access the Bora Parc water park from inside the hotel so you don’t have to go outside in your swim suit! ;)
For more information on the Ice Hotel, booking a stay, and all the other fun things you can do there, visit the official Hotel de Glace website.
Would you stay the night at the Ice Hotel??
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Have you been at Québec Carnaval ?
I may be totally overthinking what to wear. Do have any recommendations on gloves and base layers?
Thanks!
My favorite base layer is the HeatTech Ultra Warm from Uniqlo. It’s inexpensive but well-made, soft and comfortable to wear all day (not itchy), and most importantly, SUPER WARM. I have the crew neck shirt and leggings. For gloves it depends on the temperature and what you’ll be doing… In most cases I just wear my Northface Etip gloves, but if it’s really cold (below 15F) or for skiing I have these really heavy duty mittens lol! Super expensive but super warm. If you’re going to be outside all day and the temperature is going to be below 5 degrees F, they’re totally worth it! Hope this helps!
I love your boots! What brand are they?
I always look forward to your posts and travels — thanks!!
Thank you so so much!! ???? They are Uggs!! The style name is Edmonton. I don’t think they are available new anymore but there are lots for sale on eBay and Poshmark!
You really should watch the movie filmed here, it’s fun and really shows off the Ice Hotel!
I didn’t see your explanation for why you shouldn’t wear cotton, being from the south, I’m not familiar with the whys and why nots. Thanks.
Hi Susan!
I am from the south also, and I have to admit, I didn’t fully understand either! But from what they told me, cotton doesn’t insulate you or keep you warm, it easily absorbs humidity so it can get wet just by being exposed to humidity, and cotton doesn’t dry easily so the fabric just lays on you feeling cold and wet and actually wicks heat away from your body.
It can be very dangerous if you are in cold temperatures and your cotton clothing gets wet because it won’t dry and it will steal heat away from your body, causing you to freeze.
I’m so excited to see the movie!! Can you watch it online??