Ice Hotels: Modern Day Igloos

It’s fall in Chicago, but you wouldn't know it based on the weather of 92 degrees today. People are finding creative waves to deal with the heat and one of the most creative is hotels that are made out of snow and ice. These hotels offer relief from the heat and are simply fun – who wouldn't want to stay in a modern day igloo?

Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland features glass igloos built of thermal glass to keep guests warm. Guests have the unique opportunity to watch the Northern Lights while still being nice and warm inside as the hotel is located 150 miles above the Arctic Circle. For more adventurous guests, this hotel also offers traditional igloos made of snow.

The Ice Hotel in Sweden is the oldest and largest hotel in the world made out of ice and snow. Even though the hotel is 23 degrees Fahrenheit inside, guests are provided with down sleeping bags and while the beds are made out of ice blocks, they are covered with warm blankets. Think 23 degrees is cold? The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway has temperatures of negative four degrees. This hotel also provides warm blankets and sleeping bags to keep guests warm and offers a warm service building with a sauna to make sure guests are comfortable throughout their stay. Guests can enjoy leisurely activities, such as taking a guided snowmobile safari and taking in views of the Northern Lights. 

Think 23 degrees is cold? The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Norway has temperatures of negative four degrees. This hotel also provides warm blankets and sleeping bags to keep guests warm and offers a warm service building with a sauna to make sure guests are comfortable throughout their stay. Guests can enjoy leisurely activities, such as taking a guided snowmobile safari and taking in views of the Northern Lights. So if the heat gets to be too much for you, ditch the traditional hotels and make your way to an ice hotel. The only question now is if ice hotels will retain their appeal once the temperature drops and Chicago's winter takes over. 

So if the heat gets to be too much for you, ditch the traditional hotels and make your way to an ice hotel. The only question now is if ice hotels will retain their appeal once the temperature drops and Chicago's winter takes over. 

For more information please visit http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/winter-trips/ice-hotels/